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Thinking about buying a Rick!

T

Travisx2112

Mar 3, 2008
293
0
36
Sherwood Park, Alberta
#1
I've been thinking a lot lately about buying a Ricky. I got money from graduating and want to buy myself a present!


I want a 4003 in JetGlo color. I've found some on ebay for around 2 grand which seems kind of steep but I mean, I want the bass so bad. I've checked out videos of people playing them and generally know what they sound like and I think they sound wicked. They are also dead sexy!

I am wondering if there is anything I should look out before dropping my money on one of these beasts? I played a 4001 once but it was not origional (active EMG's, flats, stereo functionality was totally gone, and I hated the color) and I didnt think I liked it, but I recorded myself playing it and listewned back to it just out of curiosity a while later and loved the sound, even though it wasnt as good as the ones I've heard before that are better setups than that rick. I believe I found it comfortable, and enjoyed playing it.

Dad was saying that ebay may not be the best place to get one of them since it may be stolen, or arrive and I wont like it or something. There must be some truth to this, so what if I go through with it and don't like what I receive?

What do you guys think? I just want a change from my Jazzes and P-bass.
 
#6
BEWARE! Rics have some sort of gas that they exude that people fall madly in love with their looks. I was one of those people. I've been under the influence of the Hypno-Ric. Let me tell you, it wasn't a pretty sight. I loved looking at it, and I loved hearing other people play it, but it just wasn't a bass that I liked the feel of. The body is just too flat, the top edge is too sharp and I just couldn't get the kind of tone out of it that I heard other people getting.
 
#8
Travisx2112 said:
I've been thinking a lot lately about buying a Ricky. I got money from graduating and want to buy myself a present!
I want a 4003 in JetGlo color. I've found some on ebay for around 2 grand which seems kind of steep but I mean, I want the bass so bad.
Click to expand...

My 4003 JG is unofficially for sale, but you'll have to come to santa fe, NM personally to check it out as I won't sell it long distance or on Evilbay ;).

Otherwise, like others have suggested, I'd also suggest going through a dealer or directly with someone face to face before going with Evilbay if possible. If you can buy new that'd definitely be preferable even if there's a premium.

Main things to look out for are the usual things, especially 3rd party parts like replacement pickups which can affect the value and change the tone to something you might not want. Also, stick with the 4003 if possible since the necks are stronger than the older 4001 ones with better truss rods.

LS
 
#15
EagleMoon said:
BEWARE! Rics have some sort of gas that they exude that people fall madly in love with their looks. I was one of those people. I've been under the influence of the Hypno-Ric. Let me tell you, it wasn't a pretty sight. I loved looking at it, and I loved hearing other people play it, but it just wasn't a bass that I liked the feel of. The body is just too flat, the top edge is too sharp and I just couldn't get the kind of tone out of it that I heard other people getting.
Click to expand...

Plus you have to consider, ( if you are even CONSIDERING working with other players), that the Rick has a very unique sound. If you love the Rick sound, then go for it; if you are going to diversify, they you might want to "shop around" for something more versatile. My drummer has a real "blind-spot" for Ricks; doesn't like them. I haven't really found out why, yet, but for the most part , since I play Warwick, I haven't had any problem what-so-ever.
 
#17
Rics are killer -- like a jazz bass with more balls and more growl (and they do not sound anything like T-40s, and I have one of each for reference :) ). Those people whining about not liking the feel didn't give it enough time. Feel for a bass is not a static thing. You will get used to whatever you are playing eventually, and that will become the standard by which you judge other basses. Unless there is something wrong with a bass, I never consider how it feels or plays -- I did when I was younger. I have basses with fat necks, skinny necks, high action, low action... I love them all. Pick a bass based on the way it sounds, not on the size of the neck, or the way the body is cut.
 
#18
king_biscuit said:
Rics are killer -- like a jazz bass with more balls and more growl (and they do not sound anything like T-40s, and I have one of each for reference :) ). Those people whining about not liking the feel didn't give it enough time. Feel for a bass is not a static thing. You will get used to whatever you are playing eventually, and that will become the standard by which you judge other basses. Unless there is something wrong with a bass, I never consider how it feels or plays -- I did when I was younger. I have basses with fat necks, skinny necks, high action, low action... I love them all. Pick a bass based on the way it sounds, not on the size of the neck, or the way the body is cut.
Click to expand...


Great point! I used to NEVER play my P-Bass when I got my Geddy Lee, but I dug it out a while ago and sometimes I PREFER it over the geddy! I thought I didnt like the way it felt but it doesn't matter to me, and I still love playing it.
 
#19
Travis - if you have $2K to spend, buy a new Rick from a dealer. If you buy it online, take it into a local shop for set up. I bought one from MF last year and it really needed set up and it only cost about $40 to do (well worth it).

One of the good things about a Rick is that it holds its value into the used market very well - see for yourself -you were about to buy a used one for pretty much what a new one goes for. Try the Rick and if you don't like it, sell it later - you won't take much of a loss.
 
#20
Definitely try em first. Plus if you find a local Ric dealer they may be able to order one for you. Probably gonna have to pay for it first, but if it gets there n you don't like it you can get your money back. Least thats how it is at my local stores.

Never heard bad things about Rics except once. My tech told me Rics are a pain in the ass to work on.
 

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