To Rick or Not to Rick

[Gilmourisgod]

Okay. Y'all convinced me. I ordered a Jetglo 4003 from Wildwood Guitars (thanks, Steve and John!). I was told I could return it within 48 hours if I didn't like it, so if it doesn't work out, I'm only out the cost of shipping.

It should arrive Saturday. Now I have to figure out how to concentrate on work for the next three days.

Wise Choice! All the Cool Kids have Jetglo! (don't listen to those Evil Fireglo People) Send the warranty card in IMMEDIATELY if you decide to keep it. Finish warranty starts date of MANUFACTURE, not date of SALE, so it's possible for your warranty to have expired before you get the bass if it's been sitting in a warehouse somehwhere (a rare event, but possible). Look for bubbling finish, or even the slightest hint of it, around the bridge in particular, and any place a screw penetrates the finish, or is tightly fastened. If you see ANY bubbling or finish flaws you can't live with, send it back and try again. I have seen some absolutely immaculate, flawlessly finished Rics, and some that never should have left the factory, chances are good you'll get a flawless one from Wildwood but.....

 

[Fight4Bottom]

Why do you want it? I have 2 I havent touched in years. I mainly play a Korean made jazz and a yamaha rbx 800a. I still love that ric sound but I prefer my other basses.

Because I do, for reasons I explained earlier. I understand not everyone likes them. But everyone is different, with different dreams, desires, tastes, likes, dislikes, prejudices, preferences, predilections, and so on. And the world would be a terribly boring place were it otherwise.

 

[Fight4Bottom]

I hope you love it!! And give your wife a extra big hug for being so awesome!

I will. I think her favorite steak dinner is in order, too!

Wise Choice! All the Cool Kids have Jetglo! (don't listen to those Evil Fireglo People)

Yeah! Those star-bellied sneetches can suck it! JK, they're all beautiful!

Send the warranty card in IMMEDIATELY...Look for bubbling finish, or even the slightest hint of it, around the bridge in particular, and any place a screw penetrates the finish, or is tightly fastened.

That sounds like good advice, thanks! Does a bubbling finish mean bigger problems down the road? I don't mind a flaw here or there—I just want it to play good, sound good and look good. But if a small issue now means a large issue in the future, I'd be concerned.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The bubbling finish is a purely aesthetic issue, but having paid for that famously glam finish, you ought to get it with no flaws, IMO. If you like a relic'd bass, you'll bang this one around accordingly, and bubbling won't matter. As for me, I like em' shiny!

 

[rhs1856]

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?

Spend time shopping & find a nice used one you like for 1/2 the price; use the other 1/2 to buy her something nice...

 

[Roger M]

Just. Buy. It.
(I still have a 4001, an August 1973 build, that I bought in 1974 - and will never let it go)

 

[LifeIsBass]

I've owned 2 Rics. Sold them both to buy different gear. Regretted selling them both times. Someday I'll get another one. I've learned my lesson...this time I'll hang on to it.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Jetglo is the best. I bought mine at guitar center about two years ago and it is flawless. Enjoy your new bass. Also, if you play fingerstyle, you should look at the zero mod thumbrest.

 

[echicago]

I've owned 3, two 4001's (1974 & 1976) and one 4003 from 2004.
They may not be suited for jazz or country but every rock n' roll bassist should own one at some point even if only for a while, almost like a right of passage or glimpse behind the curtain of what
Paul McCartney, John Entwistle,
Chris Squire, Roger Glover,
Geezer Butler, Geddy Lee & a lot of other players that changed the way bass guitar is perceived as an instrument. The way it is implemented in composition, where it sits in a recording and is heard in a live mix.
Having said that, I sold all 3.
I have been hankering for another.

 

[rickdog]

I hope you love it!! And give your wife an extra big hug for being so awesome!

Amy / Clatter

@Fight4Bottom, if you want some 4003 goodness to inspire you while you're waiting for yours to arrive, go find some Clatter on YouTube.

Edit: add link to Clatter channel

 

[Johnflo]

I had a76 4002 stereo "Rik o Sound"for 25years! Was my main gigging bass! Never a complaint and with new strings on it it sounded like a piano! Traded it for a Alembic, (15 yrs ago) which is my gigging bass now. I definitely would buy another!

 

[farace]

They may not be suited for jazz or country . . .

Why not? I get a decent sound for jazz out of mine, and got complimented at our NYE gig the other night by one of the local elder jazzmen. Even better, Chris Brubeck has used one for many years. If I played country, I'd still use it. There is a great range of tones, as long as you don't feel the need to dime all the controls.

 

[ScottTunes]

They may not be suited for jazz or country...

They may not "look" right for Jazz or Country, but *I* think they sound just fine!

Strung with flats (as they were originally), I get a great upright sound! Best solid-body upright bass sound I've heard! And, of course, I lean towards the Macca camp. But, I just bought a second Rick, and will string one with flats, and the other with rounds to cover the whole range.

 

[TH63]

Because I do, for reasons I explained earlier. I understand not everyone likes them. But everyone is different, with different dreams, desires, tastes, likes, dislikes, prejudices, preferences, predilections, and so on. And the world would be a terribly boring place were it otherwise.

Because you do is a good reason. Life's short, buy it and enjoy it. And make sure your wife knows you love her more than your bass.

 

[socialleper]

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?

The first question is have you actually played one, or is it just sort of an abstract idea to own a famous semi-expensive bass?
To me, the idea of a Rick is better than actually having one. If there is something truly interesting to you about one, and you are truly comfortable with all the ergonomic quirks, then thats one thing. If someone handed me one for free, I wouldn't say no, but I wouldn't spend a serious amount of money on one simply because I know I don't like them. If you know you like them, then as long as it isn't going to destroy your bank accounts, it isn't a terrible idea.
Never feel bad about earning things you like. Also, never feel bad about letting someone show you how much they love you.
Nothing in music pays for its self. The whole thing is a giant money pit from which only 1% of us will ever crawl out. Don't sweat that aspect of it.

 

[Paul Boyer]

I hope you love it!! And give your wife an extra big hug for being so awesome!

Amy / Clatter

AMY! So good to "see" you again! Please PM me!

Paul

 

[woodyng2]

They may not "look" right for Jazz or Country, but *I* think they sound just fine!

Strung with flats (as they were originally), I get a great upright sound! Best solid-body upright bass sound I've heard! And, of course, I lean towards the Macca camp. But, I just bought a second Rick, and will string one with flats, and the other with rounds to cover the whole range.

I dunno,i think this one "looks" kinda old-skool country....and it's strung with Labella White coppercore tapewounds,which have a nice thump with a subdued clang.

 

[Fight4Bottom]

The first question is have you actually played one, or is it just sort of an abstract idea to own a famous semi-expensive bass?

As I mentioned earlier, I've never actually played one. I messed with one in a pawn shop 30 years ago before I really knew how to make good sounds on a bass, so that doesn't count. But I've heard them enough to know I'd like to give it a whirl. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure someone will buy it.

Never feel bad about earning things you like. Also, never feel bad about letting someone show you how much they love you.

Amen!

View attachment 2863856
I dunno,i think this one "looks" kinda old-skool country....and it's strung with Labella White coppercore tapewounds,which have a nice thump with a subdued clang.

I can definitely see that in a country band. The wood color is perfect, the hardware looks appropriate.

 

[socialleper]

As I mentioned earlier, I've never actually played one. I messed with one in a pawn shop 30 years ago before I really knew how to make good sounds on a bass, so that doesn't count. But I've heard them enough to know I'd like to give it a whirl. If it doesn't work out, I'm sure someone will buy it.



Amen!



I can definitely see that in a country band. The wood color is perfect, the hardware looks appropriate.

That is a very important aspect of this.
Ricks are weird basses. They feel funny and sound funny. They have a legacy that is hard to deny, but you should really know what you are getting yourself into. Some people absolutely love the retro look and unique tones, but I can't get them to play nice. I would absolutely recommend trying one again before buying. I know that isn't as easy as it sounds.

The upside is that Ricks hold their value fairly well and have a devoted fanbase. If you get one and don't like it, you won't lose a ton if you resell it.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

OP, 4003 basses have a binding and feel kind of like an acoustic guitar against your forearm at first. They range in tone from guitar with bass strings to upright. They take a while to get used to but you will get used to it if you put the time in and it is totally worth it. Again, if you fingerpick, I would recommend the zero mod thumb rest as opposed to the treble bezle but some prefer the bezle. Regarding the tone, i like to turn up the neck pickup all the way and give it a little bit of treble, about halfway. Sounds great, especially with a flat eq setting on your amp. This may save you some time.