To Rick or Not to Rick

[vintageguitarz]

Check with this guy and see what he thinks of Rickenbacker Basses - used them with the Beatles (primary bass for the recordings) and with Wings and still today. That goofy Hofner Bass was a poor quality bass (if you've ever owned one you'd know, tinny sound and refused to stay in tune) just for show and it was light.

I have a 4004 and besides the Fender Jazz Bass (4) and Jazz Bass 5, the 4004 is the best American Made bass ever.

 

[woodyng2]

Check with this guy and see what he thinks of Rickenbacker Basses - used them with the Beatles (primary bass for the recordings) and with Wings and still today. That goofy Hofner Bass was a poor quality bass (if you've ever owned one you'd know, tinny sound and refused to stay in tune) just for show and it was light.

I have a 4004 and besides the Fender Jazz Bass (4) and Jazz Bass 5, the 4004 is the best American Made bass ever.

View attachment 2864079

I agree with you on the 4004, ,but Not so sure Macca's Rick is getting much use the last decade or so,as he seems to be doing one world tour after another using just that goofy Hofner.....

 

[RBX4003]

Justify, Schmustify....

View attachment 2858619

Couldn't make up your mind???

 

[mapleglo]

Couldn't make up your mind???

I have a similar "problem".

Newfamily2

• mapleglo
• Jan 4, 2018
• 4003 4004ci rickenbacker

Rickenbacker family

 

[RBX4003]

I've never regretted my two 4003s, but, as KBD suggests, be sure to consider the 4004 as well. It never ceases to amaze me how someone will buy a new 4003 and then complain about the hum from the single-coil pickups, the sharp edge of the body, the bridge pickup cover, and especially the bridge, and then also complain that Ric never updated the design. They did update it, though, and it's the 4004. I don't mind the Ric idiosyncrasies, but if I was shopping for a Ric today, I'd definitely make sure a 4004 was one of the instruments I considered. If a more traditional look is what you're after, take a look at Woody's collection for examples of how small modifications like adding a pickguard can make a 4004 look less modern.

I bought my 4003 unseen - it was actually ordered because the store was backlogged for almost a year. I walked in on my birthday (in July of 95) and talked to the main sales guy at the store and put down $800 to order it. The following late January he called and said it was in. Jetglow 4003 with the white trim and GREAT case. I had paid off the 'layaway' and had my Ric. Well... the new pickups took some time to 'age in' and I do not really get the whole "Ric-O-Sound" thing. Given that the trim delaminated about a year later (which the factory fixed without issue - and is still, to this day, doing fine) I would have been more inclined to get the 4003S had I thought it through (the 4004 was twice the price but certainly a good option, too). However, I still have it, and play it at least once a year (haha). Yes - it was a LOT of money; yes - I am not a pro and have NEVER expected to make any money as a musician. The absolute enjoyment of playing and doing so on what is clearly a superior instrument has been very much worth the expenditure. Enjoy life - do your fretting on a Rickenbacker!

 

[ScottTunes]

That goofy Hofner Bass was a poor quality bass (if you've ever owned one you'd know, tinny sound and refused to stay in tune) just for show and it was light.

A solid core door fell on my '62 Hofner (in my avatar). It hit the top of the headstock so hard it bowed the strings forward, popped the pickup out of the bezel, and dropped the floating bridge!! It also dinged the finish in several spots due to flying around the studio, and some other cosmetic damage. I put it back together, tuned it up, and it still plays great!

This door would have broken my shoulder! But the Hofner survived! I'd say that's one tough guitar right there! And it sounds awesome (a word I use VERY sparingly!)!!! My aging Beatle Bass is also a great player (although I think the newer models are better made). I have 2 Club basses I regularly gig with which are also quite good. Not a tinny note in the bunch!

Once properly set up, the tuning rarely changes. Even with the recent single digit humidity!

My 2 fave brands are Hofner and Rickenbacker. So, as many say here, to Rick is to love your bass guitar!

 

[fbny71]

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.

I'm exactly with Bill's opinion. Definitely go to a store where you can play one if you can. As a matter of fact I did the exact same thing recently...walked out with one myself. I do wish I'd have tried a 4004...the edge definitely bothers me; so does the pickup cover. But I love it enough that I wouldn't get rid of it...I'll just have to buy myself a 4004 when the next opportunity presents itself!

 

[Fight4Bottom]

My 2 fave brands are Hofner and Rickenbacker.

I have played a Hofner in a store. I don't think I'd get one, but I gotta say I liked how it felt. Not so much ergonomically (I prefer a hefty bass), but I like how the notes felt. I never even plugged it in. I just plunked around on it and the vibration of the body and that little "chonk" as my fingernail would occasionally catch a string was quite pleasing.

 

[echicago]

Hmmmm...

 

[TH63]

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.

She's golden.

 

[TH63]

Howdy folks. This is the wife. I want to thank you all for your amazing responses. Lots of great thoughtful advice, and a lot of kind words. Sounds to me like bass players are good people (I'm a keyboard player myself). As for the cruise... I would cherish the memories of anything I do with my hubby but would rather share the joy of his playing every day!

He's a lucky man.

 

[Johnflo]

Another great Rick player is Jon Camp from the band Renaissance. Give a listen, great tone and a excellent player. Bass solo on "Ashes are Burning" live at Carnegie hall, is sweet!

 

[TH63]

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?

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?

 

[TH63]

View attachment 2867554 View attachment 2867554

Me and my 1986 Shadow.

 

[Paul Boyer]

View attachment 2867554 View attachment 2867554

Ahh. The Shadow knows!

 

[RBX4003]

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.

Why?!?! Because! I have, maybe, had my '96 4003 Jetglow out of its case twice in the last 5 years, playing my '91 Yamaha RBX200 and '00 RBX774 most of the time. But when I jones for that Ric sound, all I gotta do is pull it out of the case.... No need to dream about it - because I made the decision years ago to have one. Probably the best decision I ever made (including those about cars, jobs, women, etc...).

 

[Skybone]

I'm in a very similar situation regarding being able to justify buying a Ric.

Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy one at the moment, so my decision isn't that hard (fortunately?). But if I could afford one, could I justify buying it to myself? Therein lies the question...

I owned an '05 Jetglo 4003 for a number of years, fantastic bass, loved it, but I was put into a position where I had no option BUT to sell it. Finding an acceptable replacement was difficult, and I went through a few different basses before I found one I was happy with.

Now, with the cost of buying a new one in Europe being rather high, and the current second hand market prices rising, the big question is whether they are actually worth the current market prices?

If you can afford it, and your wife says you can have one, then get yourself one. However, I would say that you should shop around and find one that "speaks" to you, rather than just buying any old one that comes along.

 

[Fight4Bottom]

Saturday night. A knock at the door. A UPS driver carrying a box as big as herself. I had to play it cool, stifling the excitement I was feeling out of fear that she would pepper spray me.

From behind me, a voice breathless with glee: "Honey, is that...? Oh my god!" I had not told my wife I already ordered the bass. Since it was going to be down to me to order the thing, I figured one of us should feel the joy of sudden surprise. Why not the one who made this possible?

We took the case out of the box together, grinning like it was Christmas morning. I popped each latch slowly, dramatically. I lifted the lid and we both gasped at how beautiful it was. As happy as I was for myself, I believe she was even more so.

But that's enough prose. Let's get down to it. This is a remarkable instrument. I plugged into my Ampeg BA-115v2, set the EQ flat, and had a go. The guys at Wildwood Guitars did a nice setup on it. The action was low, like I had asked for. I've never played a neck like it. It's amazing how the width and thickness are pretty much the same right the way up the neck. It played very comfortably. Not quite as comfortably as my Jazz neck, but the things I play well on my Jazz, I played equally well on the Rick. Conversely, things I play poorly on the Jazz did not improve on the Rick. (it's obviously me!)

It's not as heavy as I expected it to be. I guess it just looks heavy. Speaking of expectations, I got some nice sounding sort of "Rick-y" tones, but I'm impressed with its versatility. Between switches, volume and tone knobs, I can go from a bright, cutting sound down to a thick, bassy tone and lots of places in between.

I love it. Imma keep it.

A couple of questions for you Rick vets:
1. Is there any issue with removing the bridge pickup cover? I may want to try plucking right over that pickup.
2. Do I understand correctly that the preferred strap lock for this bass is the Schaller version? I have Dunlop Straplocks on my other basses, but if this is strap lock-ready, I'm fine with another product.

 

[dukeorock]

Congrats!

 

[mapleglo]

A couple of questions for you Rick vets:
1. Is there any issue with removing the bridge pickup cover? I may want to try plucking right over that pickup.
2. Do I understand correctly that the preferred strap lock for this bass is the Schaller version? I have Dunlop Straplocks on my other basses, but if this is strap lock-ready, I'm fine with another product.

No issues removing the cover. A lot of people do it.

Yes, it takes Schaller strap locks.