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Thinking about buying a Rick!

#21
Rics are great and I would say get one a.s.a.p. if you like the sound. Let me add a plug for Ric specialty dealers North Coast Music and Pick of the Ricks. MF is okay, but these other guys will do the set up for you and try it out and make sure all is copacetic before they ship. That means a lot to me. There are also 2 Ric forums where stuff pops up all the time for sale. (Ric website one and Ric Resource Forum) I also agree totally about resale value.
 
#23
king_biscuit said:
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.
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These kinds of blanket statements irk me. You shouldn't come on here and make judgements about what other people have done when you don't know them. ("whining?") I had my first Ric for 5 years before I sold it. I tried to like the bass and get used to it, but kept going back to my Fender. If it's the only bass you have and you have nothing else, then maybe you can learn to "tolerate" something just to be able to play. That doesn't mean you'll like it.
 
#24
EagleMoon said:
These kinds of blanket statements irk me. You shouldn't come on here and make judgements about what other people have done when you don't know them. ("whining?") I had my first Ric for 5 years before I sold it. I tried to like the bass and get used to it, but kept going back to my Fender. If it's the only bass you have and you have nothing else, then maybe you can learn to "tolerate" something just to be able to play. That doesn't mean you'll like it.
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My Ric is not the only bass I have, I also have 6 Fenders, 3 Musicmans, and 1 T-40. I can adjust to just about anything in five minutes if I like the tone. What irks me is that so many people think they are so unique that only a particular instrument can work for them.
 
#27
Travisx2112 said:
I have a very important question that I feel needs answering :)

Why do people say that you need to find someone who KNOWS ricks really well to set one up? Why are they so much more different than a Fender or something like that? Are they? I think a bass is just a bass, am I wrong?
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Like many things in life, basses have to balance the line between form and function.

Fenders (and "Fenderesque" instruments like Sadowsky and Lakland) tend lean toward function, Ricks lean to form (yes yes, just IMO)

Fenders are seen so often live and in the studio, they become "boring". ;)

That's why people can tend to gas so hard for Ricks --so shiny and all that chrome-- and be utterly disappointed at how hard they can be to live with.

Dual trussrods can intimidate techs, thin necks that can bend and bow with roundwounds (older 4001s), binding that pinches the plucking arm, a pickup cover that gets in the way, single coils that can pick up a 60 hz hum from a flourescent light a mile away, and a bridge design that seems deliberately designed to be frustrating -- are some of the main culprits.

I lived with my 4003 for over 10 years. As much as I loved the idea of having a Rick, I enjoyed playing other basses even more. My Aria Pro was more comfortable and sounded just as good to me (different, but just as good) and recorded so much easier.

In college I swapped my Ric w/ a buddies Fender Jazz for a day. It wasn't long after that I sold the Rick.

And of course many of the famous bass players we associate w/ Ricks have moved on as well. Nothing at all against the bass, but it's worth noting that it happens, especially when remarks are made about forum members who somehow are unable to make a certain bass work.

There's just too many good basses today at any price point that it's not just about making it work, it's about preference and playing what makes you happy.

Peace. :bassist:
 
#28
As far as "sharp edge" and "flat" goes, there are Rics that don't have this. The 4004 is one and they made a 4001S and a 4003S that don't have the binding.

As far as new goes without the binding, the 4004 is the only one that fits that requirement.

I don't recall my 4001 having issues cutting my arm as much but I do remember it leaving a mark at times, mainly when I was sitting and playing it.

My 4003S/5 doesn't leave any marks but it has no binding and is curved, not flat.
 
#29
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. 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.
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Hey, you have 2112 in your name. You need a Rick. It's as simple as that. Geddy sold me on getting one 20+ years ago and I still love it.
 
#30
In college I swapped my Ric w/ a buddies Fender Jazz for a day. It wasn't long after that I sold the Rick.
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Back in '74, I had a Rick - loved the look and some of the sound, but found it uncomfortable (in fairness, I hadn't gotten really comfortable on the fingerboard of any bass at that tender age...). I actually traded mine for a brandy new Jazz bass (which I sold many years later for enough to finance most of my first Alembic - LOL).
But now, I'm gassing for another Rick. Go figure... :smug:
 
#31
pringlw said:
Geddy sold me on getting one 20+ years ago and I still love it.
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+1 although for me it was 30+ years ago. I love Rics and they are all I use. I have had many basses through my hands over the last couple of years and nothing ends up staying - Jazzes, Sterlings, Sting Rays, Schecters - all gone. Nothing does it for me like a Ric. I have 2 Rics and am looking for a Fireglow.

P.S. one of my Rics was purchased form Musicians Friend and I also live in Canada. The transaction was smooth and I received it within 4 or 5 days or ordering it.
 
#32
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. 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.
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I bought a used 2002 Rick 4003 in Jetglo for $900 about 7 months ago. Love it!
 
#33
I have said it once Ill say it again, a Ric is only good at one thing. Being a Ric. They are among the most poloarizing basses I can think of, either you love em or you hate em (in terms of owning and playing. no one doesn't like the looks or the sound!)

Its a risk as to which camp you will fall into, but the only way you will ever know is to take the plunge and buy one. You have to own a bass for a while before you can tell if its really for you and there is no avoiding this. I am not sure of current going rates, but with the extended warranty included I got my 07 JG for under 1800 US, so even with an increase, they are not so valuable that a somewhat used one would be worth 1700US. That it getting into older borderline vintage territory. I'd think 1500US should be a cap on what I'd spend for a used one, and that would have to be in VERY good shape. MAybe I am a cheapskate, but deals exist.

PS: +1 on POTR. Good bunch of people and they are pretty well stocked in the catch as catch can world of Rics.
 
#36
Travisx2112 said:
POTR?
When I play my fenders, my arm rests on the top of the body comfortably. Will this be a problem with the Rick?
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When people complain about playing a Ric, probably the most common issue is the edge of the guitar digging into their forearm. Never bothered me, but it's certainly a common complaint, so you might want to pause and think it through if this is going to be an issue for you.

If you want a Ric without the "unique features" of a classic 4001/3, 4004's have more rounded edges and are somewhat more comfortable to play.
 
#37
POTR = Pick Of The Ricks

As I mentioned earlier, you may want to look at the 4001S and 4003S (not the 4001 and 4003). Typically the S models don't have binding on them and are rounded.

You might want to try a 4003 with binding on it and see if it bothers you. It does for some people and they're usually very adamant about Rics being awful because of it. It may be a deal breaker for you. If it is, try looking into the S versions or the 4004 models.
 
#39
Hmm. That's really the only deterrent for me is the "sharp" body now. I love Rush a lot and Geddy has me SOLD! If I do decide to buy it, and don't like it, how long would it take to sell it do you think? Edit: Also, does Jack Lawrence play a Rick on the Consolers of the Lonely album by the Raconteurs?
 
#40
No idea on the JAck Lawrence thing, but getting rid of a Ric shouldn't be to hard. Be advised though, in the current economy you stand to lose money if you do it. MY advice would be if you don't like it keep it as an investment. Sell it 20 years from now and you will likely see a pretty good return.
 

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