Rickenbacker versatile?

[heath_the_great]

i still prefer bootsy's space bass to a rick

but they're as uncomfortable as rat poo...they dont balance properly, and that bloody pickup cover is over exactly where i play...but just because rick james played one doesnt mean i like it...i know you're going to come back with the stu hamm kubicki thing...but the kubicki purchase was based on a comparison on what felt right to me.....sure the rick's had a pretty huge impact on the electric instrument time line, but they still wierd, and come come the frets are like extra light...i actually had to force myself to play one when i did...ill put it this way..if i was offered an ibanez musician and a rick....id take the ibanez

 

[incubus2432]

I am biased since all I own now are Rics.....but that is because they do everything I need perfectly (and I have owned plenty of other brands in the past). I play in a metal band but I still need plenty of variation in my tones and I get everything I need through playing style, effects and preamp tweaks. As far as cutting through I NEVER have a problem. There are too many variables to just blame the Ric. Users with different styles/brands of basses have to compensate for each bass with their rig differently. If you hooked a (insert brand) up to my rig it would probably sound like poop until it was tweaked.
Bottom line is you pretty much have to play one with your rig to see if it may suit your specific needs. Just don't rule it out because some claim that they are "one trick ponies".....they certainly are not.

 

[The Golden Boy]

I've tried and tried to like them. I had a 72 or 74 Mapleglo 4001. It looked cool, it played all right, but I couldn't get a sound I liked out of it. After I got a bigger, badder and better rig, I tried a few friends' Rics through them and still nothing worked for me. I love some of the sounds other people get with Rics, but they just don't go for me.

 

[Z-Bass]

Cordell "Boogie" Monson played a Ric. Hmmm.....now who did he play for? Oh yeah, Parliament Funkadelic! That ain't exactly rock.

Yes I've heard some down right nasty funk grooved on a Ric once. Sounded great, really surprised me as well. I think the player had something to do with that as well. With the right technique, in addition all the developement in amps and cabinets these days, you should be able to find some versatility in most instruments.

 

[Walbassman]

Yes I've heard some down right nasty funk grooved on a Ric once. Sounded great, really surprised me as well. I think the player had something to do with that as well. With the right technique, in addition all the developement in amps and cabinets these days, you should be able to find some versatility in most instruments.

It is true. I use my Ricks for everything and have never had ANY trouble getting a tone that I like. Granted, they are not the newest latest and greatest active sound like a Jazz bass, but they have a place of their own. So many artists used them from the 60's thru the 80's. Most of the people that a lot of us grew up on played Ricks. All different styles...I think it takes a little more to play one because they are not a standard bass. I have had a little of everything to find tone and I keep coming back to the Rick and I have been playing for 20 yrs.

 

[NV43345]

I had tried alot of Ric's over the years, some were freinds, some used, some new in stores, and I never found one I liked.Then in the fall of 1998 I played a Jet-Glo 4003 and just fell in love with it, the feel, The tone, the balance,the neck, everything was just perfect.I bought it and I love playing it.
Keep trying different ones,until you find one you like.I also
sent away for the "Ric-O-Sound" splitter box, and that is
alot of fun to play with also.

 

[Davehenning]

I had tried alot of Ric's over the years, some were freinds, some used, some new in stores, and I never found one I liked.Then in the fall of 1998 I played a Jet-Glo 4003 and just fell in love with it, the feel, The tone, the balance,the neck, everything was just perfect.I bought it and I love playing it.
Keep trying different ones,until you find one you like.

That is what basically happened to me. Never liked any Rics until I played a used one in a music store in Indianapolis....... bought it on the spot and used it on a gig that same night. I have never played a Ric since that feels and sounds like mine. Close, but not the same.

 

[Bob the Bass]

I have a 4003, and I have a 4001 that's being lent to me.. for a long time... Both basses have a distinct Ric tone, but that's all they're really good for. Great rock basses, not too hot for slap, and the 4003's hum like no tomorrow.

My 4003 doesn't hum AT ALL, nor does my mates fretless !?
As for the initial query - horses for courses but you really need to try one out rather than relying on other peoples opinions.
Personally - I love them !!

 

[{OE}]

Overall I dont care for them, but I do feel they have both a distinct sound and can be versatile, depending on the model. Keep in mind the whole "signal chain" when evaluating any bass.

The last time I played a Ric. ( strung with Smith light gauge Rockmasters.) it was through an ancient Sunn head and Sunn 4x12 and 1x18 cabs. It was anything but thin/tinny sounding.