I doubly hate pickguards, so it looks perfect to me.
That bass looks strangely... Familiar.
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Rickenbacker - Why do you love/hate it?
- Thread starter jroboat
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- rickenbacker why?
That bass looks strangely... Familiar.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
That bass is a 2006 4004cii montezuma brown ... it started out life as a 4 string bass. Someone tried to do what I do and sonvert it to a 5 string bass and didn't quite get it right. I bought it used on ebay and fixed it. It is now one of my keepers.
here's a pic of one that is still a 4
It looks as though it's about ready for liftoff...
Love mine. It was weird to play at first because they definitely have a different feel to them but it feels like home base now.
On the plus side, I think they are one of the most visually striking basses ever made and are synonymous with a few iconic bass players that I admire - Chris Squire and Geddy Lee (yes, I still closely associate Geddy with a Ric). In the right hands, they can sound great. And they have great resale value.
On the downside, I think the bridges are awful and they seem to have a lot of quality control issues with that basses leaving the factory.
I sold my 2009 last year but only after dropping a bit of cash on a Hipshot replacement bridge and an assortment of thumb-rests (Zero-Mod and Pick of the Ricks Treble Bezel). That bass's neck was very unstable and needed a tweaking nearly every time I took it out of the case. It came, out of the shipping carton, with a dead neck pick-up. And the binding began to detach almost immediately. I had to work harder to get a sound I was happy with than with any other bass I own.
That being said, as soon as I sold that bass (which was the third I've owned in my lifetime) that I'd be wanting another one. I got a great deal on a new 4003S a few weeks ago and so far, so good, but we're still in the honeymoon phase.
On the downside, I think the bridges are awful and they seem to have a lot of quality control issues with that basses leaving the factory.
I sold my 2009 last year but only after dropping a bit of cash on a Hipshot replacement bridge and an assortment of thumb-rests (Zero-Mod and Pick of the Ricks Treble Bezel). That bass's neck was very unstable and needed a tweaking nearly every time I took it out of the case. It came, out of the shipping carton, with a dead neck pick-up. And the binding began to detach almost immediately. I had to work harder to get a sound I was happy with than with any other bass I own.
That being said, as soon as I sold that bass (which was the third I've owned in my lifetime) that I'd be wanting another one. I got a great deal on a new 4003S a few weeks ago and so far, so good, but we're still in the honeymoon phase.
Have a 77 with a wonderful neck profile. Here's one I don't think has been mentioned....I find that it works with many effects pedals better than any other bass I own.
Love the look, feel and sound myself. Nothing fits me like a Ric does.
Rick's have a great sound. Ultimately that is what has kept them going. IMO I do not think they should have the price tag they are getting. Quality was never big with the 4001. I hope the 4003 took care of the problems I had with my 4001. The pickups have very weak output. The neck needs constant attention. The frets are soft and can be damaged easily. The bridge pulls on the body and eventually lifts.
If you are a big name musician have have techs tending to your equipment then they are great. If not keep a 4001 for the Studio. They are money in the bank if you ever need an engine replacement or a new furnace you can sell a Rick and bankroll quite a bit.
Pros: Incredible sound and playability. Great for recording
Cons: Everything else you can think of *Which makes me sad
If you are a big name musician have have techs tending to your equipment then they are great. If not keep a 4001 for the Studio. They are money in the bank if you ever need an engine replacement or a new furnace you can sell a Rick and bankroll quite a bit.
Pros: Incredible sound and playability. Great for recording
Cons: Everything else you can think of *Which makes me sad
I love the classic look, the feel of the neck, and the tone.
I hate the trolls & their weekly Ric-bashing threads.
I hate the trolls & their weekly Ric-bashing threads.
Meets my criteria for a good bass. Feels good, sounds good, looks good.
Back in the day I fell in love with the idea of them because of Chris Squire. He was one of the few rebels in a mostly Fender world and when we are young we do love rebels!
However, I also loved Fenders and many, many years later when I was actually able and motivated to buy a real bass guitar it was a Fender. So in terms of actual acquaintance with Rickenbacker basses as an owner I have none and in consequence I neither love nor hate them beyond the fact that I do still love the look of them. Because they have met all my rather simple needs I have never ventured outside the bass world as it is defined by Fender and Ibanez. There are many other worthy brands, there just is neither time nor money nor need enough for me to go there.
However, I also loved Fenders and many, many years later when I was actually able and motivated to buy a real bass guitar it was a Fender. So in terms of actual acquaintance with Rickenbacker basses as an owner I have none and in consequence I neither love nor hate them beyond the fact that I do still love the look of them. Because they have met all my rather simple needs I have never ventured outside the bass world as it is defined by Fender and Ibanez. There are many other worthy brands, there just is neither time nor money nor need enough for me to go there.
I can't say I hate them, but I have played a few and they never felt good in my hands. But to qualify that I will say that I am a G&L guy and no bass since 1986 has when I got my 1st G&L has felt good in my hands.
I have played many very well made nice basses in my 65 years, but nothing feels as good in my hand as my G&Ls both 2500 one fretless
Duke
I have played many very well made nice basses in my 65 years, but nothing feels as good in my hand as my G&Ls both 2500 one fretless
Duke
Michael Schreiber
Commercial User
I came from playing guitar, and started with a Hagström HB-8, an eight-string bass (re-issue).
Great bass, by the way. Still have it, still play it, still love it - for different projects.
When I was sure, I'm ready for seriously playing bass, I saved money for a Rickenbacker 4001 - because of the sounds (not THE sound, for it can make plenty of sounds, IMO), and because of the look.
What astonished me when playing my '77 4001:
+ feels light and comfy to me! (as light as and even more comfy than my Yamaha guitars)
+ stays in tune
+ feels so much easier to play vs. my HB-8 (unfair comparison, though; 8- vs. 4-string)
+ the neck is like made for me; fretting is a joy, not a fight
+ the variety of sounds; much more than I thought, a beginner could get out of that vintage beauty
+ the quality of the finish; freshly polished with Zymöl, it feels way smoother than the finish of my other guitars; it also makes the back of the neck feel "faster"; my sweaty thumb doesn't feel like stuck at the back of the neck, in the heat of the playing
+ the quality of the hardware; nothing I dislike...
- though, when playing with a pick, I do rest my pick hand on the bridge pickup cover, which rubs away the chrome layer of the cover... just a cosmetic aspect, but find it only fair to mention it.
And, of course, I am impressed that a '77 bass is still in such a good condition. Someone with a '77 XYZ bass in equal condition and playability would be equally impressed of his/her bass - sure \m/
Great bass, by the way. Still have it, still play it, still love it - for different projects.
When I was sure, I'm ready for seriously playing bass, I saved money for a Rickenbacker 4001 - because of the sounds (not THE sound, for it can make plenty of sounds, IMO), and because of the look.
What astonished me when playing my '77 4001:
+ feels light and comfy to me! (as light as and even more comfy than my Yamaha guitars)
+ stays in tune
+ feels so much easier to play vs. my HB-8 (unfair comparison, though; 8- vs. 4-string)
+ the neck is like made for me; fretting is a joy, not a fight
+ the variety of sounds; much more than I thought, a beginner could get out of that vintage beauty
+ the quality of the finish; freshly polished with Zymöl, it feels way smoother than the finish of my other guitars; it also makes the back of the neck feel "faster"; my sweaty thumb doesn't feel like stuck at the back of the neck, in the heat of the playing
+ the quality of the hardware; nothing I dislike...
- though, when playing with a pick, I do rest my pick hand on the bridge pickup cover, which rubs away the chrome layer of the cover... just a cosmetic aspect, but find it only fair to mention it.
And, of course, I am impressed that a '77 bass is still in such a good condition. Someone with a '77 XYZ bass in equal condition and playability would be equally impressed of his/her bass - sure \m/
I must admit that I started off really disliking 4004's, yes, they have the body and headstock, but they lack the "retro" features that I really like about 4003's (not to be confused with a 4003S - I'm not totally convinced about them yet! 
).
A Ric bass, for me, was always about the weird bridge, the scratchplate, the bridge pickup mount, the triangle neck inlays, the TRC and the headstock. The 4004 (and 4003S) just didn't look right with the dot inlays, no scratchplate and a "normal" bridge.
These days, I must admit, I am quite taken with the 4004, in both L & Cii models, especially when they've used some rather nice figured timbers to make them, and a transparent finish to show off the figuring. Yes, I want one, but I wish that they'd add a second volume control instead of the selector switch.
).A Ric bass, for me, was always about the weird bridge, the scratchplate, the bridge pickup mount, the triangle neck inlays, the TRC and the headstock. The 4004 (and 4003S) just didn't look right with the dot inlays, no scratchplate and a "normal" bridge.
These days, I must admit, I am quite taken with the 4004, in both L & Cii models, especially when they've used some rather nice figured timbers to make them, and a transparent finish to show off the figuring. Yes, I want one, but I wish that they'd add a second volume control instead of the selector switch.
Love... Hate... I was somewhere in between on the 4003 I briefly owned. Given the stories about their poor QC, I suppose it could have been a lemon and there might be better examples out there. I'd suggesting trying before you buy if possible.
- Loved the look.
- Didn't hate the feel of it. Mine was on the lighter side, and felt small in my hands compared to a P bass.
- Hated the metal pickup cover/surround on the bridge pickup. Hated it even more after I took the pickup cover off due to the sharp metal edges.
- I think they're overpriced.
- Thought the tone was super "meh".
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
I picked one up in a Sam Ash once and put it down pretty quick. Didn't like the hum caused by the way the pickups are wired and didn't like the feel of the hard/sharp edges.
Pros (of my 2014 4003SW)
- Light Weight
- Wonderful ergonomics
- Playability that makes me sound better than I am
- Good variety of tones
- Great neck feel
- Very stable neck and hardware
- Gorgeous classic looks
- Some QC issues from the factory regarding glue joints
- poopy case design (my baby can open it)
- Hard to get a good sound in a guitar dense mix compared to the trusty old P bass.
I love them because a veritable crap-ton of influential music that I was exposed to in my formative years was played on a Rickenbacker 4001.
I hate them because, with only one or two exceptions, none of the two dozen or more Rickenbacker 4001's I've ever played in my life sounded remotely like those iconic recordings.
