Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
- Status
What country? I've got one I'd part with (I actually have 2 but keeping one). PM me ifyou want to know more.
I saw a 1976 (or 74, somewhere around there) 4001 bass in my local guitar shop today. I asked to play it a bit. This was the first time I'd actually ever had a rickenbacker bass in my hands, I've only been able to admire their sound from recordings or seeing people play them at concerts, and such. My experience, just having heard them, I mean, led me to believe that it would feel and sound amazing.
It was strung with flatwound strings and the action was pretty high higher on the neck. These two facts kind of took the fun out of the playing experience for me (I'm not a big fan of flatwounds, personally, though I know that many are).
This is my only personal experience with Rickenbacker basses, which is truly a shame, as they sound so good in every other setting that I've heard them. I really couldn't get behind this one, and it's kind of turned me away from Rickenbacker basses. I don't foresee another one falling into my hands any time soon, unfortunately, as I would like this new stance to be reversed by a more pleasurable experience.
TL;DR: I played a 4001 that I did not like, and I've never played another RIC guitar. Help.
It was strung with flatwound strings and the action was pretty high higher on the neck. These two facts kind of took the fun out of the playing experience for me (I'm not a big fan of flatwounds, personally, though I know that many are).
This is my only personal experience with Rickenbacker basses, which is truly a shame, as they sound so good in every other setting that I've heard them. I really couldn't get behind this one, and it's kind of turned me away from Rickenbacker basses. I don't foresee another one falling into my hands any time soon, unfortunately, as I would like this new stance to be reversed by a more pleasurable experience.
TL;DR: I played a 4001 that I did not like, and I've never played another RIC guitar. Help.
What shop & how much please?I saw a 1976 (or 74, somewhere around there) 4001 bass in my local guitar shop today. I asked to play it a bit. This was the first time I'd actually ever had a rickenbacker bass in my hands, I've only been able to admire their sound from recordings or seeing people play them at concerts, and such. My experience, just having heard them, I mean, led me to believe that it would feel and sound amazing.
It was strung with flatwound strings and the action was pretty high higher on the neck. These two facts kind of took the fun out of the playing experience for me (I'm not a big fan of flatwounds, personally, though I know that many are).
This is my only personal experience with Rickenbacker basses, which is truly a shame, as they sound so good in every other setting that I've heard them. I really couldn't get behind this one, and it's kind of turned me away from Rickenbacker basses. I don't foresee another one falling into my hands any time soon, unfortunately, as I would like this new stance to be reversed by a more pleasurable experience.
TL;DR: I played a 4001 that I did not like, and I've never played another RIC guitar. Help.
Kenzy, you need to play a new 4003. While the current bass looks a lot like the old 4001, it's miles ahead of it in so many ways.
When I first picked up my '84 4003 it sure wasn't a match made in heaven. Being a Fender guy for for over 40 years it felt very awkward for me. Thin body, where the heck do I rest my thumb, etc. Action was too high, etc. But after a good set-up and some practice time, it became my go to bass. Like the previous poster said. Try a newer one that is set-up decent. Focus on the feel of the neck and the sound and not so much on the feel of the right hand. With practice you'll find the comfy spot. At least that has been my experience in the transition from Fender to a Ric. I have since sold all my Fenders and I'm looking for two specific Rics to add to my herd. And concerning the '74 you tried. I think any bass that is not set-up at least somewhat decent when you pick it up for the first time, will leave a bad taste in your mouth.
That's one of the problems with trying used Ricks, especially older 4001 models. Not many shop techs know how to adjust the necks properly and can sometimes actually bend or break the hairpin "rods," or crack the neck, or lift the fingerboard. The correct method is quite simple, really, but completely different from a standard truss rod. If done correctly every time an adjustment is needed, even old 4001 will play just fine. But it takes just one nimrod along the way to mess it up, and then the next one is left scratching his head and concluding that Ricks are always like that. Pretty sad, really.
This shop is in San Diego. It's called Guitar Trader, or Music Power... I don't know, really. It was on consignment for $2400. Why do you ask?
Here's the website that is apparently associated with the shop. Link Removed
With the exception of the early 73 and older 4001s, I'm not a big fan of 4001s. I feel the newer 4003s are a better bass. Since you can usually find new ones for around $1600.00, that's what'd go for.....and actually did.
A '74 4001 in particular? Because I hear that Wildwood Guitars is a nice place to pick up new 4003s. I think they ship for about 1500-1600? And the price covers an initial set-up of the instrument.
Thanks, Kenzy. They are interested in an older 4001. And the kicker is I need to ship it to Norway. I believe we need to look at older 4001's which means even higher prices.
2400 is too high unless there's something quite special about that particular bass that hasn't been mentioned.
Should be 1800 tops for a very much mint 1970s bass, although a '74 will have the 1/2" (from the end of the neck) neck pup spacing and possibly different colour side markers(which only happened briefly in 1974).
Should be 1800 tops for a very much mint 1970s bass, although a '74 will have the 1/2" (from the end of the neck) neck pup spacing and possibly different colour side markers(which only happened briefly in 1974).
- Status
