To Rick or Not to Rick

[Janforth]

Pros and cons what??? She told you she wants you to buy a Rickenbacker...

 

[MtJam]

For those about to Rick, we salute you!


Go for it. I recently picked up a 78 4001, and I love it. I agree with the try before you buy crowd; they are not for everyone.

Good enough for Geddy, good enough for me!

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

If you want it and can afford it, without missing any meals or house payments,
then go for it.
The worst thing that could happen is you don't get along with it and end up
selling it for what you paid.

Who knows? It might even inspire you to start playing out and making some bux.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I like Rics a lot, but they aren't for everyone, so I agree with those who say try before you buy. If you don't think you'd use the Ric-o-Sound feature, consider the mono-only 4003S. More comfortable to play and cheaper, to boot!

 

[4-fingers]

I just played a really nice used 4003 in the color I'm looking for. Neck has a forward bow in it and the action is high........but it actually still played nice and a little truss adjustment would bring the neck in line. I have the cash but am hesitating. I play out regular and own three basses, two are my main players and are Precisions(love them to death). The Ric would be more than twice what I paid used for each Precision. I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger. Probably going to miss out because seller is firm. It's overpriced in my opinion because it has been for sale for over a month and has had over a thousand views but seller is firm. First world problems eh!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Always Rick really hard if possible. The term isn't really "rock and roll", but rather "Rick and roll"...

Okay, you asked for it!
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[Siggy]

I've been married 40 years. From the beginning we have an "allowance" in which we each get a set amount per week/pay period/or month. That money is used non house-hold purchases.( I.E. personal purchases) It stared out at $100 per wk each. As expenses went up do to children, new home or my wife going back to school, that when down accordingly. Right now it's $50 a month (were retired and our needs have changed) Over the years I managed to buy my wife the diamond engagement ring that we forwent, for our 25th anniversary and a few nice gifts over the years. Right now I have enough saved to by buy a new Rick without dipping into our joint savings, however as you can guess, I've learned to be frugal (thanks to my wife).

Short story "don't buy something that will affect domestic bliss" other then that go for it! Life is short!

 

[stonetone7]

I often joke with my wife about getting a Rickenbacker bass. She'll say, "You know what I want for Christmas?" And I'll say, "A Rickenbacker bass, right?" She's heard me joke enough that she understands what it is and how neat it would be to get one. But because of the cost, I've seriously never been serious about it.

But we've just gone through a major change in our lives, the details of which I'll spare you, suffice it to say she's extremely grateful for the sacrifices I've made. So much so that last night she told me she wants me to buy a Rickenbacker.

Now, I don't earn money gigging, so it won't pay for itself. But I do have enough money to buy one. Thus, as much as I'd love to have one, I have a hard time justifying it. So with apologies for creating yet another Ricky thread, what should I do? Pros and cons?

Please please please try before you buy. Drive 100 miles if you have to.

 

[jamro217]

Like others have mentioned, the resale value on Rics is high, so you won't really be taking a risk buying one. They are unique, so try to play one before purchasing. If you go with one of the dealers who have a return policy, that may be an option. Best to you.

 

[80jazz]

To echo what some others have said, go for it!

(At this time, I do not own a Ric but have played them and I have no complaints about them. Probably by the start of the decade I will have one in the stable.)

 

[trevcda]

But we've just gone through a major change in our lives, the details of which I'll spare you, suffice it to say she's extremely grateful for the sacrifices I've made. So much so that last night she told me she wants me to buy a Rickenbacker.

Now, I don't earn money gigging, so it won't pay for itself. But I do have enough money to buy one. Thus, as much as I'd love to have one, I have a hard time justifying it.

Sounds like you have a wonderful wife, who is as grateful for you, as you are her. Maybe you could do something for both of you, in celebration (or in spite of) of what you've both just been through. A trip, a cruise, something for the two of you. Put whatever is left over into a fund and keep an eye out for that deal on a Rick that's to good to pass up

 

[Thornton Davis]

Life can be surprisingly short. If you want it and can afford it, get it. Enjoying it will be all the justification you'll need.

+1 on what Paul said above.

TD

 

[funkmaster p]

Some say the Rick 4001/4003 is uncomfortable to play because the lack of body contour cuts into your forearm. I don't find this to be the case.

Some say it sounds too clanky to be used for anything besides rock music. I have found this bass to be extremely useful for a range of great tones. If I want the bass to sound pissed off, I play with a strong attack. When I play with a lighter touch, I get a beautiful pallet of tones suitable for just about any style.

You can spend hundreds of hours researching the opinions of others, but there is no way to predict whether or not you will like it until you try one in person or buy one.

 

[Liam Wald]

Life can be surprisingly short. If you want it and can afford it, get it. Enjoying it will be all the justification you'll need.

I couldn't agree more. If you want it that much and can afford it you should definitely buy it.

 

[Element Zero]

Never understood the appeal to be honest... LOVE the tone, but just uncomfortable as all get up. I say go for it man. You've wanted one for a long time and are in the financial position to acquire one without hurtin the bank? Dude what's stoppin you?!?! Only word of advice, TRY before you buy, if you haven't already.

 

[buldog5151bass]

1. Play one before you buy it. Some people love the feel, some hate them.

Get a container - every night, dump excess money from pockets. Every time you don't buy a beer, take lunch from home, etc., put that money in the container. All your gig money, put in container. Etc. Start saving HARD.

 

[Ric5]

I often joke with my wife about getting a Rickenbacker bass. She'll say, "You know what I want for Christmas?" And I'll say, "A Rickenbacker bass, right?" She's heard me joke enough that she understands what it is and how neat it would be to get one. But because of the cost, I've seriously never been serious about it.

But we've just gone through a major change in our lives, the details of which I'll spare you, suffice it to say she's extremely grateful for the sacrifices I've made. So much so that last night she told me she wants me to buy a Rickenbacker.

Now, I don't earn money gigging, so it won't pay for itself. But I do have enough money to buy one. Thus, as much as I'd love to have one, I have a hard time justifying it. So with apologies for creating yet another Ricky thread, what should I do? Pros and cons?

get one of the new 4003sw models The walnut and maple combination is amazing

 

[Nephilymbass]

I often joke with my wife about getting a Rickenbacker bass. She'll say, "You know what I want for Christmas?" And I'll say, "A Rickenbacker bass, right?" She's heard me joke enough that she understands what it is and how neat it would be to get one. But because of the cost, I've seriously never been serious about it.

But we've just gone through a major change in our lives, the details of which I'll spare you, suffice it to say she's extremely grateful for the sacrifices I've made. So much so that last night she told me she wants me to buy a Rickenbacker.

Now, I don't earn money gigging, so it won't pay for itself. But I do have enough money to buy one. Thus, as much as I'd love to have one, I have a hard time justifying it. So with apologies for creating yet another Ricky thread, what should I do? Pros and cons?

What should I do? Play one first.

Some people dig them, some people ONLY dig the way they look or sound and then get one in their hands and decide it's not for them. I happened to fall in the second group. Cool looking basses and I've heard them sound great at shows but didn't care for how they felt or played.

 

[Fight4Bottom]

All you guys are awesome. I really appreciate the help.

People are real divided on em, so I'd just recommend making sure you can try before you buy!

I definitely would want to before plunking down that kind of money. But that's the big problem. Here in Jacksonville, we have two GCs, a George's, and a host of mom-and-pops. None of them has Rickenbacker anything. So I can't really try one out.

It never ceases to amaze me how someone will buy a new 4003 and then complain about the hum from the single-coil pickups

I don't necessarily mind that. My main player is a Jazz Bass, so I'm used to dealing with that.

I'm guessing you've played one before and are aware of the good and the bad, right?
Surely you're not one of those guys who just want one because it looks cool?
If you've played one and like the way it feels and sounds, definitely find a nice used one.

I played one once, in a Gainesville pawn shop in 1987. I had only been playing bass for a couple of years and didn't really have the chops to put a bass through its paces, so I have no recollection of what it was like, apart from the charge I got when I saw it on the wall. I love the classic look of the 4001/4003, and I do love the sound in demo videos and in the hands of some of my favorite rock bassists.

I see some used ones on Reverb, but the lowest priced among them is still a tiny bit higher than some of the new quotes I've been getting from online places.

As for used, any opinions on manufacturing years?

 

[pedroims]

You have green light from your wife, the money and the desire to own one, go for it ! The only thing that I would recommend is to buy a used one, in case you dont like it you can sell it without losing to much money.

Here is one For Sale - 2016 Rickenbacker 4003S