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To Rick or Not to Rick

#61
EdwardofHuncote said:
I'd like to have 4004 after @Ric5 gets through with it. :D
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like this

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#64
Gilmourisgod said:
All the pros and cons have been discussed ad nauseum here on TB. I liken the 4003 very much to a classic 60's era car, some technically obsolete or un-ergonomic features you can either live with or ignore, with options to negate those issues with a 4004 or S model. I'm a sucker for the classic Jetglo model, but lots of options to suit your taste. If possible, play the actual model you intend to buy first, some variation in neck thickness and profile. If mail order, try Wildwood. If you get one with finish problems, return it immediately, and be sure to mail in that warranty card instantly. Buy it! Even if you do regret it, the resale value is excellent, so you have little to lose.
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Jetglo is the one to go for me also ...
 
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#66
Fight4Bottom said:
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?
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IMO I'd take a pass. I had one for 30 years and found with the material I was playing, Fenders had a more authentic voice. The Rick is a an awesome looking and fine bass, but don't buy the romance. It's just a tool.

Now if you really want want get your hands on something.... take the money, and your wife on a cruise.....
 
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#68
Fight4Bottom said:
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?
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ALWAYS Ric if you can.

That is the Number 1 Rule concerning Rics. If not followed, a deep regret will come to you at sometime in your life (that is Ric Rule #2).
 
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#69
Fight4Bottom said:
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.
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I nominate Rickenbacker as the most divisive bass on TalkBass, as people seem to really love them or really hate them. The basses do have unusual ergonomics so the fact you like they way they look and sound in someone else's hands is no guarantee you will like the way they sound and feel in your hands. All basses of a given model tend to vary a bit from instrument to instrument regardless of brand. Variation between Rickenbackers, can be a bit more extreme . All this means is you might have to play a few more dogs before you find a really good one. In the process you may decide you are not a "Ric man" after all. However, if you truly are a "Ric man," your going to be thrilled when you find the instrument that feels and sounds right. You will play a few licks and know, "This is 'the one!'" My advice: Don't buy till you find "that" bass. Happy hunting.
 
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#72
I would also pass! A great sounding Bass but they are really uncomfortable to play for extended periods of time.So if you are going to try one out try it for at least an hour and see how you feel. The construction of the Bass is really poor and it must have the worse bridge ever to be installed on a Bass.
In the end it will be your choice so take your time to do some unbiased research,because it could prove to be a costly mistake.
 
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#73
I bought my 4003 last Christmas and couldn't be much happier. I tried several in stores, and the necks were all quite different, depending on the year of production. I ordered one from Wildwood in 2016, and the production date on it is from 2015. The neck is slim and comfortable. In fact it's one of the nicest necks I've played. However, I have played ones with horribly uncomfortable necks.

Minor annoyances I have:
1. Can be a little challenging to EQ in a mix when you first give it a go. It's not like other basses. Still, this can be overcome.
2. The bridge adjustments aren't the easiest. That said, they aren't as awful as some say they are. I just adjusted the intonation on my E, and it wasn't too hard.
3. My low E was a little weak sounding when using the bridge pickup. On newer ones, the cure is to remove the pickup cover and adjust the pole piece. Easy enough.
4. I seem to have a minor dead spot on the 5th fret of the E string. I tried a different string, but that didn't fix it. I haven't tried a truss rod adjustment, yet. For now, I know it is there and adjust my attack accordingly.

Otherwise, I love this bass. It plays, sounds, and looks lovely. I can't believe I waited so long to get mine. I'd do it again. No questions.
 
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#74
Had the same situation recently with a Fodera. I do get paid to play, but it will take a while to recoup the money that was spent. Anyways, if the wife is cool with it you're golden. :bassist:
 
#75
Fight4Bottom said:
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?
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I think I would take a pass. They are not for me. But get what you like and can afford. I have never played a Ric so I'm not one to say yay or nay. My choice would be an MTD or Ken Smith or Pedulla. I think they are better designed and have better electronics. But, that's me. Again, get WHAT YOU LIKE.
 
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#76
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.P

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...

You live in Jacksonville...Florida, I assume...
I live in Gainesville...GA.

Real deal...
Drive to Gainesville, GA for a weekend. We'll put Yous up in our empty nest.
I will drum...you will put my '74 4001 'through its paces'...
DE5F4F0C-EFC8-4E3D-A054-FDFDDC7E3AB3.jpeg


PM me... :thumbsup:
 
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#77
Try before you buy. Thank goodness for the high resale value!
When I was a George Harrison in a few Beatles tribute bands, I was forced to play the Rickenbacker 360/12 often. That guitar was the worst! Great sound, great look, but a real struggle to play. Spent $2200 on it. Ended up selling it to Gavin Pring of the Fab Four (If you haven't heard of them, check them out. Best Beatles tribute by far!) for $2000. So I only had a $200 loss after 2 years of gigging with it.
Since then, I've owned 4 Rickenbacker 4003 basses, as well as a few copies. Sold them all. I kept trying to love it. It looks so sweet, and many of those classic songs were recorded with it. As hard as I tried to love them, I just couldn't. I'd sell one and get another one that played slightly differently, hoping that I could learn to love it. Nope. Never. The best feeling one I had was a 1976 Aria Rickenbacker 4001 copy. Man, do they look sweet! But I could never get into how they feel. I tried rounds, flats, tapewound, low tension TI flats, etc. Nope nope nope.

I wish you luck, but try before you buy.

If you want to see the last 4003 that I had, check out my YouTube channel. I actually think that I have a link to a video of me using it in my current signature.
 
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#78
the harp unstrung said:
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.P

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...

You live in Jacksonville...Florida, I assume...
I live in Gainesville...GA.

Real deal...
Drive to Gainesville, GA for a weekend. We'll put Yous up in our empty nest.
I will drum...you will put my '74 4001 'through its paces'...
View attachment 2859173

PM me... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I see you have Donald Fagen's solo album sitting there. Excellent taste!!!
 
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