• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Rickenbacker...?

Bassammich

Bassammich

Jan 19, 2015
365
535
64
Grand Rapids,MI
#1
A question for my low end brtheren, I have always GASed for a 4001/4003 (5er if I Can find a good deal), buth have never played one. I have heard conflicting reports about them, seem to be love 'em or hate 'em. Before I lay out that kind of scrath, I'd like to hear what ya'll think. thanks
 
#2
You will get more traffic on this topic if you post the question in basses, unless of course you have posted this somewhat "controversial" topic here on purpose?
Lots of threads on this topic if you do a search, best advice would be to play one before you buy one.
Fishheadjoe
 
#3
Search is your friend. I miss my '80s autumn glo 4003. That thing was a great live rock bass, played loud with a little dab of overdrive, through a full stack of some sort. I didn't really like how it sounded when recording with a D.I. Neck finish made it feel kinda slow. A solid 10 for looks though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lfmn16
#4
60870626.jpg
 
#6
My guitard player showed up at practice with a Red Fireglow 4003. As soon as I played it, I went out and bought the same thing but in black and white. The tone is much better than my Fender Jazz 24. I love my Fender neck but I also love the Ric tone and the fact that it's passive (no batteries to worry about). When I play out, I use the Ric, The Fender I use for practice. The only reason I would sell the Fender would be because it has active pickups.
 
#8
Played for several years and a few recording sessions on a '91 Blackstar (4003). I'm a J bass guy; that said, I didn't mind the feel of the Ric. Safe to say I even came to appreciate it, though it did take a little getting used to. It was great for a focused, solid bottom in the studio just run plain D.I. I used it on a variety of tunes ranging from folksy pop to in-your-face rock and I thought it performed very well. I should also mention I'm primarily a fingerstyle player, and even so, the recorded tone was meaty but tight. Nothing flabby about it. In live situations, it really found its voice at higher volumes with an aggressive attack. I'm sure a wider range of tonal options would have been available if I'd used a plectrum more often, but I rarely do.

I liked it enough that I'd gladly own another. It's not a high priority, but I can see it happening again someday.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMacBass65
#13
JMacBass65 said:
I think I have observed a pattern - of the people that own a Rick and something else, it's usually a Jazz, no?
Click to expand...

It is in my case, though my Ric is a 4004, so I think there's less tonal overlap. I use the J for the classic J tone (everything maxed but the neck, which is backed off just enough to add some extra bite) and the 4004 for everything else. I could see the Jazz being replaced by a a 4003 if I get the money for one, though.
 
#14
If you like resting your forearm on any other bass, you wont like it on a Rick, and that seems to be a big turn off for many on a regular 4001/4003(not the case on a 4003S though)! Another is where to rest your thumb if you play fingerstyle, I would rest my thumb on the little gap between the bezel and rear pickup, but they now make thumb rests specifically for Rick's... Some people find it hard to play slap because the front pickup is pretty close to the fingerboard, but you *can* get used to it, though I don't think slap sounds that great compared to other big name basses.. I adjusted to all these things that bug most people


With all that, I've owned 2 and loved them, especially the 77' mapleglo I owned, not so much the 2001 jetglo I had, didn't feel or sound right to me
 
#16
This comes up so often, I think I'll just list what I personally see as pros and cons, just my $.02:

PROS:
1. Incredible, unique tone and sustain, particularly with roundwounds and biased towards the treble end of the spectrum. The thumpy Macca sound can be had with flatwounds, but that can be had on almost any bass.
2. Bi-amp/Stereo capability with Ric-O'Sound jacks. This sounds absolutely killer, and the weight penalties can be alleviated with modern Class D micro-amps and cabinets. Highly recommended.
3. Vintage/Modern push-pull tone selector on 4003 models allows more range of tone options.
4. High quality Schaller tuners.
5. When done correctly (most of the time), gorgeous, immaculate paint job and overall fit and finish.
6. Iconic retro-tastic good looks.
7. Thin (side to side) minimal taper neck. This either works for you or it doesn't based on neck preference. It's similar to a P-Bass width at the nut, but very little taper towards the bridge.

CONS:
1. Truly dreadful and utterly indifferent customer service from Rickenbacker. This can be avoided somewhat by buying from a reputable third party dealer like Wildwood or Pick of the Rics, who pre-inspect basses before shipment.
2. Ergonomic weirdness. The body shape and hard bound body edges are uncomfortable for some. It either bugs you or it doesn't, based on your body shape, how you hold the bass, etc. The new 4003s models have no binding and rounded body contours that's more comfortable for many people.
3. Borky, difficult to adjust bridge prone to bending under string tension. Hipshot makes an excellent replacement bridge that many think looks as good or better, many leave it as-is and live with the drawbacks as a minor annoyance.
4. Spotty Quality Control. The vast majority of instruments are well finished, but during the frantic past few years of backlogged production, QC definitely slipped on paint, sloppy pickup installation, etc. This appears to have been largely resolved now that 4003 models are not backlogged, but definitely try before buy. If you do have finish problems, expect zero help from Rickenbacker Inc. GC's return policy makes it a pretty safe place to buy one.
5. Noisy Electronics. Ric provides no shielding whatsoever, and the single coil pups are prone to hum under certain conditions. This can be improved, but not eliminated by grounded shielding or a noise gate.

CONCLUSIONS:
In my mind, the Tone Trumps All. Nothing sounds like a Ric in it's grinding full-throated glory, but if ever there was a bass you absolutely must test-play before buying, this is it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mantis Tobaggan, WannabeBassman, John Swartz and 4 others
#18
I'll throw my "love mine but know they're not for everyone" comment on the pile. And what @Gilmourisgod said. Great rundown there. I really just got lucky when I bought my 4003 a few years back. It's my first and only Ric.
 
#19
I bought my 1977 4001 in 1980 when I didn't know squat about basses, other than I HAD to have a 4001. It played nice at the time and I gave the seller my $325 for the axe and case and have loved this bass to death. Of course, the sound is the thing, but it plays like butter. My tail lift is about the thickness of a credit card which is nothing. I have had Rotosounds and other strings on it, I prefer the Rotos and DR Highbeams after they get a little "oily" and worn in. The body edge where you would lay your picking/plucking arm on has never bothered me at all. I have played P's and J's but I personally prefer the Ricky neck.

Like others have said, play before you buy. I was fortunate it was only 3 years old and not gigged. Obviously, if you have an opportunity to pick up a 4001 it's going to be over 30 years old so be critical and check everything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gilmourisgod

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back