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What model alembic? they're worth 2-3 times what a ric is.
I sold a Fretless Epic. Yes it was a great bass. But I bought it cheep, $1250.
I had searched for years to find a Ric with a super thin neck profile. The Ric has an amazing tone. In this case it was not about the money. I wanted that bass more than I needed that Alembic. I do have other Alembic basses I would not have traded off.
I had searched for years to find a Ric with a super thin neck profile. The Ric has an amazing tone. In this case it was not about the money. I wanted that bass more than I needed that Alembic. I do have other Alembic basses I would not have traded off.
I guess the question is if you can deal without having a fretted P. Tough call without knowing what you have going on, and if you want to cover it with the Jazz. You have saved half already, I'd be inclined to just keep saving and hang on to the P that you already like. Maybe you sell it after you buy a Ric. But it at least gives you options.
I'm not a p bass guy, jazz basses are my faves so i can't speak specifically to the differences between a p and a ric, but having spent some quality time with a borrowed ric, my chops were not adaptable to the differences between a j and the ric. It seems to be a decent bass, but i could never find a comfortable way to play it.
i'd keep the known good bass and try a ric, but i wouldn't sell a bass i liked to buy one unless i was willing to put in the time to figure the thing out and find a comfortable way to play it.
i'd keep the known good bass and try a ric, but i wouldn't sell a bass i liked to buy one unless i was willing to put in the time to figure the thing out and find a comfortable way to play it.
This. I love the Tony Franklin, it is the best sounding bass of the three I own, but I would not want to play fretless a majority of the time. I "like" the Tony Franklin and Jazz more than the '58, but the '58 is a perfect gigging bass.
unless you find a ric that you cannot live without, i wouldn't trade or sell a bass i really liked to get another bass. that way may lie regret.
I have and I have liked them more than I thought I would. I have always liked the sound of Rics but was skeptical based largely on negative opinions many people have of them such as ergonomics, single-coil hum, etc. Their quirkiness does not bother me at all, if anything I view it as a positive.
P basses leave me completely cold, always have, so maybe my opinion is moot, but as others said, if you like it save it, trading apples for oranges. I think the Ric is more versatile, but I guess a P is like a standard screwdriver, good to have in your toolbox, even when better tools are available. If you do decide to swap, Make sure you play the actual bass you intend to buy, a lot of variation on Ric's bass to bass.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I'm not a Fender guy and especially not a P guy, but I wouldn't flip the P to buy the Ric. Save up, buy the Ric, and ONLY THEN if you feel you don't need that P, send it off to a loving home.
I'd say go for it, but I'm partial to RIC's. And I also have a P bass.
Don't listen to me, I'm a walking contradiction.
Don't listen to me, I'm a walking contradiction.
Definitely take a trip to Wildwood and play some, but I'd hang onto the 58 and just save my pennies. They always seem to have a bunch in stock and do a nice job of inspecting and setting up.
They have 25 basses in stock right now. I'll take the 4003S/W. Thanks in advance 
https://wildwoodguitars.com/product-category/electrics/rickenbacker/
https://wildwoodguitars.com/product-category/electrics/rickenbacker/
This may be a bit redundant but have you played a Ric? If not then you need to try one out and make sure you like the ergonomics and Ric sound. If you have played one and like it then maybe you save up and keep the P bass or as one poster suggested, finance the balance. Good luck.
Oh yeah, I have been following Wildwood's new arrivals for a while now. I am curious about the walnut Rics, just wish they had a bound Jet Glo in stock.They have 25 basses in stock right now. I'll take the 4003S/W. Thanks in advance
Rickenbacker Guitars, Huge Inventory of Rickenbacker Electric Guitars | Wildwood Guitars
I think Rickenbacker builds basses one color at a time. So this month it might be jetglo, the next is maple and so on. That's why some seem to be hard to find.
But enjoy Colorado, it's a beautiful place. I lived in Denver for a few years and my brother was in the Boulder area. Lots of great drives to be had trough the mountains, and great beer to drink.
