Thunderbird vs Rickenbacker again..

[rocknrolo]

Torn between a Thunderbird or a Rick. I have primarily Fender bass player and ready to try a new flavor. Been leaving heavy on a thunderbird.. I play a lot of pop rock and jam band style music.
Talk me into either and thank you in advance...
(Disclaimer I will probably get both someday, just wanting to hear feedback on people's experiences)

 

[lowendblues]

If you have the disposable cash, I'd get the Rickenbacker. Then down the line, I'd pick up an Epiphone Thunderbird.

 

[bobyoung53]

Torn between a Thunderbird or a Rick. I have primarily Fender bass player and ready to try a new flavor. Been leaving heavy on a thunderbird.. I play a lot of pop rock and jam band style music.
Talk me into either and thank you in advance...
(Disclaimer I will probably get both someday, just wanting to hear feedback on people's experiences)

Both......of course.

 

[micguy]

The Ric is more different than the Thunderbird, if you're coming from Fenderland. I'd go there first, if I were you.

 

[msb]

Can't lose with either.

 

[TBird1958]

Were I buying a first Thunderbird I'd suggest the Epiphone '60s Thunderbird, sometimes called a Vintage Pro, wonderful neck and a great set of pickups. I love Ricks too, so a difficult choice, good luck

 

[Killing Floor]

Tough call. Which neck feels better to you? They're both unique and cool. What style to you play?

 

[godofthunder59]

Both classic basses and do different thing. For a first time Thunderbird buyer I suggest the new 2021 Nonreverse Thunderbird or The Epiphone Vintage Pro now called the 60s Thunderbird. The new Rics are really great, I have a 2018 4003s and it's easily one of the best Rics I've ever had and I've had everything from a 68 4001 to a V63 and C64 and many in between.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Man that Rickenbacker bridge pickup can just sizzle like no other.

 

[satantango]

The Epiphone Vintage Pro now called the 60s Thunderbird.

and if you like the way those sound, the Epiphone Embassy has the exact same pickups and sounds like 95% the same in a much lighter and somewhat more ergonomic design. But yeah what the one poster said, if you've got the money, get a Ric and get an Epiphone TB later on. Epiphone are making the vintage voiced TBs out there today (unless Gibson has an offering I'm not aware of), and that's the sound I want anyway.

 

[PrinceByTor]

How about a Fenderbird, similar, yet different.

 

[rocknrolo]

Tough call. Which neck feels better to you? They're both unique and cool. What style to you play?

I play a lot of pop rock. Pearl jam, too fighters, 90's 4/4 rock.

 

[rocknrolo]

Tough call. Which neck feels better to you? They're both unique and cool. What style to you play?

I played a Rick and loved the neck. I don't have access to tbird but everything I have read and researched online just seems like me all the way. I'm also a fairly tall guy and the size is cool.

 

[godofthunder59]

I played a Rick and loved the neck. I don't have access to tbird but everything I have read and researched online just seems like me all the way. I'm also a fairly tall guy and the size is cool.

Undoubtedly being tall helps.

 

[Koshchei]

Ric all the way. A Thunderbird is a great instrument and has its own thing going, but nothing sounds like a Ric but a Ric. Or looks like one. Or plays like one, to be totally honest.

 

[Boneless]

"What should I eat, fish or cheese?".

They are both food.

 

[SlowpokeJoe]

Do NOT buy a Thunderbird without playing one first.

The ergonomics are "unique" to put it one way, and they feel very very different from a Ric / Fender shaped bass.

 

[Auspuff]

Torn between a Thunderbird or a Rick. I have primarily Fender bass player and ready to try a new flavor. Been leaving heavy on a thunderbird.. I play a lot of pop rock and jam band style music.
Talk me into either and thank you in advance...
(Disclaimer I will probably get both someday, just wanting to hear feedback on people's experiences)

Ric.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Can't really comment except to say the few Thunderbirds I've played all had crazy neck dive. Frankly all Gibson basses I've played have. Something you might want to consider when choosing.

 

[facetsquared]

A Ric with DR Lo-Rider strings = an A1 sound for rock. Taut and aggressive.