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Ritter vs. elrick

#21
i already priced out a BASE bolt on elrick 5 string for $2100....there are options thatb i would want which would raise the price but i think new is still in my price range and im thinkin of just ordering it exactly the way i want
 
#22
You're kind of asking "Porsche or BMW"?
Both have afficianados.
Both are excellent, high performance automobiles.
Both are high dollar purchases.

If you're in the "doing homework" stage, there are a lot of other high dollar, high quality options out there. In that case, use the search function and look at a few of the other high end basses (MTD, Zon, Brubaker, ACG, etc etc). The "Jaw-dropping basses" thread will be a veritable playground for you.

If you've already narrowed it down to those two brands, why, and what models of each?
 
#23
AndyW83 said:
im from the north jersey area.....ide say $3,000 is my limit
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Bass Emporium in Austin has a good range of new and used Elricks - bit far from N Jersey though. There are usually some good deals to Austin and spending for an airfare isn't as ridiculous as it sounds if you're thinking of dropping $3k!

At $3k, if you're buying new then you'll be looking at an Elrick.

Used, you might get a Ritter at that price, but it will be well worn. There was a nice classic for sale here recently with a few dings and dents. I think it went $2.5k in the end. You'll certainly get a nice used Elrick for that sort of cash.
 
#24
yes your absolutely right....and there is alot in general that i dont know about basses. But one of the reasons im on here is to be educated. I do know that I played a squire bass for awhile and cureently play an ibanez sound gear.....and now its time i treat myself to what i want...ive ruled out fender they honestly dont do it for me...not sure why...warwick was in the running for a long time but i decided if im gonna spend alot of money then im gonna spend whatever i have to in order to get what i want within a reasonable budget....it would be nice if i could stroke a check for 10 grand but i cant...as far as the ritters and elricks looks have alot to do with it as it usually does with most people....but some of my influences play ritters and elricks also....marc brownstein , ron derhak , phil lesh....and i love the souind they get out of them....not saying with the right equipment and settings i couldnt get that sound out of another bass but until i pick up another bass that wows me...im leaning toward these ....i may pick up an elrick and hate it ...who knows....ill find out soon enough. obviously im not gonna buy anything without playing it
 
#27
Yes, it's always fun and slightly terrifying to pull the trigger on a custom bass for that first time. I've had to do most things sight unseen since I live in an area where very few have seen custom basses.

Ok, for a second forget about prices and what's on the headstock. What are you looking for that isn't on your Ibanez? How many different basses have you played? What did you like and dislike? Why?
 
#28
i know i want a high end bass that i will keep for a VERY long time....same reason someone wants to buy a high end car....cause the performance, reputation , and qaulity surpass many others....like i said....i may hate an elrick once i play one ....we will see
 
#29
AndyW83 said:
i know i want a high end bass that i will keep for a VERY long time....same reason someone wants to buy a high end car....cause the performance, reputation , and qaulity surpass many others....like i said....i may hate an elrick once i play one ....we will see
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Everyone wants a bass that they'll want to keep for a long time :D High-end and low-end have nothing to do with that though- you might find everything you're looking for in a $1000 bass. What you need to know is exactly what you want out of a bass if you're looking to drop a lot of coin. What scale length, what string spacing, preferred weight and balance, type of sound, natural or poly finish, etc. Once you figure all that out, then it will be easier to figure out what basses out there suit your needs best. Otherwise, to use your car analogy, you may go out and buy a Hummer when you really needed a BMW- just because they're both high-end doesn't mean they provide a similar experience/sound/feel.
 
#30
spade2you said:
Yes, it's always fun and slightly terrifying to pull the trigger on a custom bass for that first time. I've had to do most things sight unseen since I live in an area where very few have seen custom basses.

Ok, for a second forget about prices and what's on the headstock. What are you looking for that isn't on your Ibanez? How many different basses have you played? What did you like and dislike? Why?
Click to expand...

-well for one i need that low B because i only have a 4 string...love the action on my ibanez though....no complaints about that....i do however feel it has a very twangy tinny sound as do most of the ibanez's ive played....ive even tried switching strings and playing with the settings but couldnt shake it...i also feel i cant get enough of a growl out of it....my influences or rob derhak of moe...phil lesh of the dead....and marc brownstien of the disco biscuits....that should give you an idea of the style of music i listen too...of them moe is the band i listen to most....very groovy....very dark at times....very dirty ....he just lays down the fattest dirtiest basslines and they sound so sexy with his setup....again im very open minded to everything .....i have alot to learn about whats on the market...ithink half the reason i want one of those makes is because im familiar with artists who play them and i know the sound they get out of them....i will say im not crazy about phil leshs sound although i love his style....he plays a ritter jupiter
 
#31
AndyW83 said:
i know i want a high end bass that i will keep for a VERY long time
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Apparently you don't keep close tabs on the boutique turnover in the classifieds. :p Today's dream bass is often in tomorrow's classifieds.

Just be realistic. Custom basses are nice, but sometimes I think the buyers are unhappy when it doesn't live up to some unrealistic expectations that they had. Some guys change their mind so fast that they might as well be renting. Others simply bite off more than they can chew financially and are forced to sell when bills show up.
 
#32
Have you heard Lesh use his Jupiter yet? He only got it last year IIRC, so almost none of his recorded material (maybe even none) will have his Ritter on it. He used a Modulus six-string forever.
 
#33
i know i want 24 fret neck....wood grain finish of some sort....as far as string spacing and weight ...eh....i hear the heavier the bass the more solid the sound but then again ive heard thats ******** also...obviously i want something with good action...for some reason all the fenders ive played have had ****** action....i just dont like the feel of fenders....maybe its me
 
#35
I've played a bunch of Elricks and Ritters (thanks, Bass Emporium!). I wouldn't say one is better than the other. Every Elrick I've come across was easy to dial in right away, but I can't stand the necks on their 5 string basses (except for the "New Jazz" models).

The Ritter has a much more comfortable neck to me, and is every bit as good as the Elrick, tonewise. Craftsmanship is exceptional on both. Ritter gets the edge for looks, comfort, and that whole "exclusivity" thing. Plus, I consider his instruments functional art.

I may be slightly biased, as I was lucky enough to meet Jens Ritter at a clinic before the NAMM show in Austin and ask him all kinds of annoying questions about his instruments. Talk about a genuinely awesome human being. After the clinic, he stuck around for more than an hour and just hung out with the handful of us who decided they weren't ready to leave yet. Extremely friendly, SMART, true to his passion in building these instruments, but also one of the most humble people I have ever met.

Okay, no more hijacking. I'd buy the Ritter.
 
#36
all i can go buy is what ive heard artists play and the sound they get out of them....that is one of the main facors i have based my deciscion making on....call me crazy but for starters that is all i have to go buy....
 
#39
AndyW83 said:
i know i want 24 fret neck....wood grain finish of some sort....as far as string spacing and weight ...eh....i hear the heavier the bass the more solid the sound but then again ive heard thats ******** also...obviously i want something with good action...for some reason all the fenders ive played have had ****** action....i just dont like the feel of fenders....maybe its me
Click to expand...

In terms of a nice B, 24 frets, low action, and light weight, I think there are many basses out there that would match these specs. Probably the cheapest option is the Peavey Cirrus, although it's more of a "modern" sounding bass. The addition of the sweepable mids can open it up to a little more of a vintage sound.

I've always wanted to like Fenders, but I'll agree that I've never been able to get 'em to play like a boutique bass. Weight doesn't have nearly as much bearing as a lot of guys would like to think. My usual weapons of choice are around 8lbs and have wonderful tone. A lot of the lighter woods will give you more even dynamics while dense tone woods will usually give you a strong attack with quick decay.
 

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