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Rickenbacker

#681
Do they sound aggressive and cutting if you play just with your fingers? Do they stand out from the mix in a good way?

I been dreaming to get Rick one day, but since I play most of the time with my fingers, I have started to wonder if would be better off with P-bass.

And we play mainly rock and metal. Sometimes blues and jazz, but most of the time rock and metal.
 
#682
The Rick is an awesome bass all the way around. If you have narrowed it down to either a P-Bass or a Rick, I think you should do a little more research. Those two instruments are polar opposites. Using a pick on a Rick just bumps up the growl by a factor of four. I almost exclusively use my fingers, but it sounds fantastic either way..
 
#685
So far, I've never seen anybody leave the pickup cover on. It is a throw away item.
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Now you have. When I bought this bass in the mid 80s it had no cover, aftermarket 2 piece pickguard, and tail lift. After playing it for 20 years, I restored it to near original condition( new Ric tailpiece, white 1 pc pickguard, pickup cover) I prefer it with the cover on.
 
#686
Rob:

No, I am sorry to say that I do not have a second rick to compare it to. I wish I did. However, I do know someone in town who has a 4001... same year and finish (mapleglo) as mine... maybe I can lure him to my home to do an A/B of the two.

I am sorry to say that even if I do have to buy a replacement pickup from Rickenbacker... I will be holding on to the original. Thanks for the offer though.

JS
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It`s because the cap. 0.0047, they removed it on the 4003 i think, but its back now (push/pull knob on the bass tone) I have it on both mine 74&77 4001.
 
#687
As a Ric 4001C64 owner for two years now, I cannot say enough about how I love my bass! There is absolutely nothing (well, for me) that comes close to it. It looks good on anybody who plays it, its shape is so distinguishable and original, there are few knock-offs and you can spot them a mile away, and the sound is unmatched. I've only wanted two basses, a Hofner and a Ric, obviously because I am a Beatles fan, and I have them both and I love them both. Anybody who decides to buy a Ric will never go wrong. Of course there will always be an oddball in the bunch, but if you do unfortunately get one that's bad, Rickenbacker will replace it if under warranty. I have played and tried most other basses available in our local music stores (Long and McQuade, Tom Lee), and I can say with all certainty, nothing comes close to a Rickenbacker Bass... :bassist: :hyper: :D

The only downside to a Ric bass is tailpiece lift. I changed my tailpiece to a Hipshot and love it! But I have my original tailpiece and I put it in when I change strings (every 8-10 months), just for the fun of it.

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#689
Chronicle said:
I gotta get me a C64 :]


I hate the reverse headstock though :(
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Why? It's actually really cool and unique, the Ric logo swishes up, it's like it's smiling :)

It was the best purchase I ever did. Sure, it could be looked at as expensive, and there would probably be bassists who'd say the price isn't worth the bass, or it's just a re-issue, or you could get 4 P or J basses for that money, etc etc, but a Ric bass, even if you don't play it and just display it, is just too beautiful to pass up, IMO. Like I said in other threads and forums (fora?), when you finally get what you really want, you breathe a sigh of relief, you mellow down, you say "this is it", and that's what I felt then and still feel now. Just that satisfied feeling itself is worth it...

Speaking of the 'satisfied' feeling, I guess a lot of Ric collectors never got to that point, considering that they're still getting GAS when other forumites show pictures of their basses. Since I'm a player and not a collector, I'm glad that even if I like what they have and rejoice with them for what they've bought, I don't drool over their guitars, and very happy with what I have. Truly a 'priceless' feeling... :cool:

Taken Aug. 26, 2007:

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#690
I just like the orginal headstock, the c64's headstock makes it look like a lefty haha :P

But i'll definately buy one some day anyways because of the horseshoe pickup and amazing detail they put into those basses.
 
#695
Chronicle said:
Gimma your horseshoe pickup :(
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Sorry, I'm keeping it, just in case I sell my bass when I'm too old to play :D

I took it off as it's heavy, over 1 pound off my shoulders when I took it off. It really looks cool and very good as a palm/hand rest, as I'm a pick player, but it's right over the sweet spot where I usually play, from the bridge pup to near the bridge. But my biggest consideration why I took it off is the weight, my bass feels so much lighter now without it.

Besides, if I dispose of it now, that will bring my re-sale value too low.
 
#697
Chronicle said:
i meant the actual pickup :) The cover is cool though.
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The whole thing? If you're looking for more punch and volume, the Hi Gains on the 4003 are your best bet, as the Horseshoe Pup doesn't have adjustable polepieces, which usually gives you wimpy E and G string volume while the A and D are hot. I'm used to them and have adjusted them to suit my playing style, but most horseshoe pup owners complain about the volume of the E and G.
 
#699
Chronicle said:
Are you confusing the toaster pickup with the horseshoe pickup? I thought the polepieces were even on that one.
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No, not the toaster. We're talking about the horseshoe pup, and I said the Hi Gains would be what you need in place of the horseshoe, coz Rick has Hi Gain style pups for the bridge pup. Those polepieces are adjustable and gives more punch than the horseshoe. The toaster on the neck side stays as is, but the bridge pup should be hi Gain so you can adjust the polepiece's height, something you can't do with horseshoes' poles, they're fixed on an arch similar to the neck radius.
 

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