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Rockinbetter

joeyangel

joeyangel

Jan 12, 2008
55
1
#1
I hesitate to ask this because I understand that emotions run hot for some folks when it comes to Rickenbacker copies.

I own several 'real' Ricks, so I feel a little conflicted about the fact that I'm intrigued by the Rockinbetter basses I've seen posted by other members.

After looking around the web, I find myself repeatedly drawn back to the Fireglo RG4001:

401235477.jpg

Still, I have to ask - where are people finding these? As far as I can tell, they're only available overseas. Buying one from an overseas dealer seems kind of cost-prohibitive, not to mention the (rightfully) litigious nature of RIC.

Anyway, I understand perfectly if no one wants to go on record about this; you're more than welcome to contact me privately. Thanks in advance for any insights you care to provide, and my apologies to anyone who might be offended by this inquiry.
 
#2
Hi joeyangel,

Yes, Ric copies do touch a nerve with some people, I don't know why as most basses have been copied at some point or other.

You don't state where you are from so it is not possible for TB'ers to advise where you can get these from. Here in the UK these are readily available.

The general concensus is that they are a bit expensive for a copy and I would tend to agree, however for what it's worth they are quite well made and they do have a through-neck construction. The RG4001 is quite nice in that it has rounded edges like the Ric 4001 C64 so it sits a bit more comfortably on the rib cage.

Apart from the dot markers instead of the shark-fin inlays they are pretty much the same bass, with the same electronics and hardware, in fact the RG4001 at least does have the correct vintage-style control knobs as the RG 4003 should have the silver-centred type knobs.

If you do decide to go for one, try and find the one's with the quilted-maple effect bodies (I think it is a veneer on the basswood), they look superb! I've recently bought one and am modding it at the moment with Ric components - (will be posting a photo on here shortly).
 
#3
Thanks very much for your response, Baker69. I'm afraid I'm located in the States, so I can't imagine how I would procure one of these short of coming overseas to purchase one of these basses - not that I would mind the excuse to visit your lovely country again, of course.

Hopefully one of the Rockinbetter owners living in the U.S. will reply and elaborate on how they came by their instruments. I'd certainly appreciate any additional information - thanks once again.
 
#4
There are a number of stores in the UK that stock these basses (try Rich Tone Music). I don't see any reason why they wouldn't ship it for you, but the cost of doing this may be too prohibitive.

These basses are retailing for £499 here in the UK, if you add on the cost of shipping and any import duties at your end then I would seriously think about getting a used genuine Rik,especially if you are thinking of upgrading any of the major components.
 
#5
Baker69 said:
Yes, Ric copies do touch a nerve with some people, I don't know why as most basses have been copied at some point or other.
Click to expand...

It's partly because RIC has defended their trademarks from the beginning, and so whether you agree with it or not, the law is completely on their side. (In contrast to famous cases involving Fender, Gibson, etc.) Many people who love Rics can probably sympathize with the company that makes their gear which explains the outcry against copies, even though it's really not doing the players a lot of outright harm.

The other thing is RIC is run to high environmental standards, treats their employees well, and is almost a completely U.S.-based company all the way down to parts. They have continued to hire and expand during the U.S. recession. This is in stark contrast to the places that make illegal copies overseas at slashed labor rates. I feel sorry for the folks that get employed to make these copies, I pray and hope they are at least doing better than the people who manufacture goods for Wal-Mart and pals.

Whether someone wants to play an illegal mass-produced Rickenbacker bass copy or not is none of my business and I do not cast judgement... but as for myself, I would not waste my time on one or support the unethical, unsustainable, cut-rate practices used to make them.
 
#6
Thanks for sharing your thoughts so candidly, Cassius. I respect your opinion regarding RIC; as I noted above, I have several authentic Rickenbackers, and I have owned numerous others over the years. I feel that I have more than adequately supported their product line, both financially and in my conversations with other musicians.

That being said, my reasons for wanting one of these basses is purely aesthetic. The bass pictured above replicates a model no longer produced by RIC; a cursory search of the secondary market will illustrate the premium prices these instruments now demand. At this point in my life, I would prefer to enjoy a 'replica' for a few years, rather than holding off to scrimp and save the ~$3K that the 4001 C64 basses are currently going for.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts; I would still be interested in what others have to say about the Rockinbetter instruments and their availability stateside.
 
#7
I agree with cassius987 (to a large degree), however until such a point that Rickenbacker decide to start to make left hand basses again (if ever) then I am quite happy to continue to buy and endorse Ric copies as there is no other choice.
 
#8
Where in the U.S. are you? I know some dealers still have C Series basses. Of course they are still cost prohibitive and I personally would not lay down that kind of cash on one... but if that's what you're after, you could at least try one out and see if you like the no binding situation (I gather that's what you're after). For some that's huge, for me it's like a non-issue, and I didn't know how I would feel until I played a handful of 'em a few years ago.

@Baker: They have said lefties are coming up soon. Not sure exactly what that means but... I understand your plight and sympathize. I'm lucky my granddad's acoustic guitar was a righty or I'd have learned to play lefty, as with basketball and handwriting.
 
#9
i'm not at all familiar with Rockinbetters outside of seeing a few pictures posted on this forum. i don't know what woods are used,or what the price range for these are. i do think that the one in the picture above is a very cheap looking copy. also baker69 said that he is adding RIC components to his,which makes the electronics sound suspect,and now even a more expensive venture. you should be able to find a dot neck RIC for $1500-2200 without too much trouble. the high prices being asked for on various internet sights just means those sellers get to keep them in their inventory longer,as i don't think anyone is paying that much.
edit....well i just now see that mr baker is left handed,so that is rather a whole 'nother kettle of fish.....
best of luck,sir !
 
#10
cassius987 said:
@Baker: They have said lefties are coming up soon. Not sure exactly what that means but...
Click to expand...

I spoke with Rickenbacker several weeks ago and they did in fact say they would start making lefties again, however they said this could be anywhere in the region of between 12 and 18 months time.

We wait in anticipation, but as the demand for left hand Rics is very very low compared to say a Fender Jazz Bass then they will definitely be in no hurry to re-implement their production, even after they have caught up on their backlog.
 
#12
Getting a ric in good shape and sometimes new is easy around 1400$ , so after buying one of these new , shipping and duty fees what are you looking at total?

Its all numbers to me , but i paid 1104$ for 2 ric 4003's new from the MF sell, then i was able to talk them down to 1080$ for a maleglow one in december and in december i bought a rick for 900$ locally , 1991 made 4003 sold the amp it came with for 140$ so i had a rick with case for 760$-if your looking for ricks , just like any bass deals can be had and it will retain value at a higher rate.
 
#13
Thanks to all above for sharing your opinions on this; I appreciate the effort on everyone's part.

I agree that an authentic RIC bass would be ideal; I had a Fireglo '73 4001S years ago that I was forced to sell. I would love to find another proper Rickenbacker to match that one - even a reissue - but for that kind of money I could fly my wife and I to England just to buy a Rockinbetter.

Sigh...
 
#14
I don't really care about fake Rics. I'd probably buy one myself if it popped up locally and was the price of other Chinese imports. What I object to is people claiming they're the same thing as a real Ric. They're not. They don't play the same, feel the same, or sound the same. The ONLY thing in common is the shape. It's like putting a fake Porsche body on a Ford Taurus. Should it be the same thing because they have the same shape?

That said, if it was cheap enough I might buy the fake Taurus too. I just wouldn't judge a real Porsche based on it.
 
#15
I don't have a dog in this fight.

But from one TB'r to another, I will say, if you contact an overseas distributor using email or even a phone call, and are willing to pay for shipping, you can pretty much get any "rickenbacker" you want.

Whether it's worth the $$$ to you, that's something only you can decide.

Most quality ric copies, including shipping, will end up being about half the price of a new ric, give or take. YMMV, etc etc.

:ninja:
 
#17
audiomitch said:
I don't really care about fake Rics. I'd probably buy one myself if it popped up locally and was the price of other Chinese imports. What I object to is people claiming they're the same thing as a real Ric. They're not. They don't play the same, feel the same, or sound the same. The ONLY thing in common is the shape. It's like putting a fake Porsche body on a Ford Taurus. Should it be the same thing because they have the same shape?

That said, if it was cheap enough I might buy the fake Taurus too. I just wouldn't judge a real Porsche based on it.
Click to expand...

+1 I've played a Rockingbetter in a music store. It looked quite 'real', but it played kind of crappy. I remember a lot of buzzing. Another issue was the weight. I´m quite sure this copy weighed considerably more than the original.
 
#19
Agreed, guys - I wouldn't expect this to sound, play or feel like a real Rickenbacker. I harbor no illusions as to what this bass is - a knockoff.

Also, I wouldn't gig with it - and I have gigged with Squiers, no offense taken. My main bass is - pregnant pause - a Daisy Rock Retro H. I love it. I've taken plenty of nice basses for session work (you never know what you'll need). Often as not, the DR is the bass the artists and engineers choose tonally. Maybe it's just how I play, or my rig, or perhaps I only get hired by tone-deaf hacks (ahem), but the DR seems to fit the bill, beating out everything from my Hofner to my EB2D. Go figure.

So I'm cool with the cheap; I can get a decent sound out of the iffiest of gear. I just want to be able to look down when I'm playing and see that unbound fireglo; I'll let my fingers do the rest of the work.
 

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