Tried my first Ric, ever

[Kipp Harrington]

It was used. They don’t even touch the new basses let alone anything used.

True, but what the heck?!!’ And mind you, I am not exaggerating about the ridiculous action. You could fit a pack of bass strings in there without much of a squeeze. How long would it take to tweak the neck a bit and lower the saddles some... 10-15 minutes. I think some of the guys at GC could interrupt their pocket pool game for 10-15 minutes. Poor sales management, for sure.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

McCartney used flatwounds but Rics are very versatile basses, you can even get them to sound like a P bass if you want. I did an album years ago and everyone i played it for thought it was a P bass. Don't mean to take over your thread except I see so much misinformation posted about these things from people who have never really had one for any length of time that I feel compelled to post.

That’s cool. I believe they are very “tweakable” basses. I’ll only use flats... love ‘em! It’s just the ergonomic side that I’m not sure I could get past.

 

[Sue Egypt]

I was at Guitar Center today getting a capo to do some bass set up’s. I saw a Ric hanging on the wall in the used section. Not sure what model it was, didn’t pay much attention to that. Had the guy get it down and I plugged it into a Mark Bass 212 combo. The action was so ridiculously high that it wasn’t fair really to judge a Ric based on that model. I mean 3/4 of an inch off the fretboard hi!

Anyhow, to my thoughts of the bass:

It had a great tone no matter what pick up selection I had. It was a toggle with a three-way switch. It sounded beefy and felt very solid. I love the look of a Ric. However, I just don’t think I could get used to my right hand positioning while playing. Also, the negative side of what a lot of people mention… The top of the base digging into the forearm. I was sitting down, so I’m sure it would not have been as uncomfortable if I were standing .

All in all, if I had to write a list of pros and cons for my thoughts on that bass, the cons would outnumber the pros. I am just glad I had the opportunity to play one. They seem very well-made.

Not a fan of Rickys myself. Most of the ones I've seen looked like toys (although the one Classic posted looks good) and the necks are way too narrow for me.

 

[Koshchei]

Not a fan of Rickys myself. Most of the ones I've seen looked like toys (although the one Classic posted looks good) and the necks are way too narrow for me.

They're almost 43mm wide at the nut... that's more than a P Bass.

 

[I-play-bass]

That’s a fine looking thumper! Are they only available in natural?

Is the top (where the arm rests) contoured?

I had one in olympic white. Lovely bass, but not for me. Weird neck dimensions/scale.

 

[Derry Murbles]

I saw a few Rics at GC Hollywood a while back. Told the dude I had zero intent to purchase, but I’d never played one and was curious.

Plugged in

Tinkered

Hated

Returned to kind associate.

I found literally not a single redeeming quality of the bass besides it looked kinda cool. Just not my flavor or feel at all.

I understand different strokes, to each his own, subjectivity, etc etc. But aside from aesthetics or emotional connections from someone’s favorite bass player rocking one, I just cannot fathom how some people enjoy those things.

And I didn’t even have to mess with truss rods or bridge!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I saw a few Rics at GC Hollywood a while back. Told the dude I had zero intent to purchase, but I’d never played one and was curious.

Plugged in

Tinkered

Hated

Returned to kind associate.

I found literally not a single redeeming quality of the bass besides it looked kinda cool. Just not my flavor or feel at all.

I understand different strokes, to each his own, subjectivity, etc etc. But aside from aesthetics or emotional connections from someone’s favorite bass player rocking one, I just cannot fathom how some people enjoy those things.

And I didn’t even have to mess with truss rods or bridge!

The more I read these types of posts, the more I’m convinced that I just took a test drive with a bass I probably have no interest in. I think it’s a cool looking bass. Just too many cons involved with the Ric (for me).

 

[Derry Murbles]

The more I read these types of posts, the more I’m convinced that I just took a test drive with a bass I probably have no interest in. I think it’s a cool looking bass. Just too many cons involved with the Ric (for me).

Yeah I’m with you. I can see and appreciate the sound that people are after when they get one, it’s just not a tone or sound I’ve ever sought or enjoyed myself.

I’m more of a “hi-fi” clean tone kind of guy, of which the Ric is completely opposite lol. Hell, a P-bass is pretty much as mid heavy as I have any interest in going.

But obviously people love the Rics, so more power to them.

 

[Picton]

True, but what the heck?!!’ And mind you, I am not exaggerating about the ridiculous action. You could fit a pack of bass strings in there without much of a squeeze. How long would it take to tweak the neck a bit and lower the saddles some... 10-15 minutes. I think some of the guys at GC could interrupt their pocket pool game for 10-15 minutes. Poor sales management, for sure.

I was in a GC once where I overheard an employee asking one of his colleagues whether a Strat fretboard was maple or rosewood.

I don't want that guy touching a Rickenbacker neck, ever.

 

[jshinal]

I don't like the fit when I play a 4003, but that new 5 string version felt fantastic. That one really tempted me.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I liked the Rics I've played just, not the price.
So, I contend with my P basses with Rotosounds and a pick to scratch that itch

Back in the day (the '70's), I'd run my P bass into a two channel amp (B15-N) with a Y cord.
One channel straight, the other channel through an open Vox wah pedal to recreate that trebly sound
I perceived as I listen to Yes and Chris Squier

 

[Sue Egypt]

They're almost 43mm wide at the nut... that's more than a P Bass.

And still too narrow for my comfort.

 

[bbh]

I don't like the fit when I play a 4003, but that new 5 string version felt fantastic. That one really tempted me.

Oh No. GAS valve broken.

 

[Koshchei]

And still too narrow for my comfort.

It sounds like your problem isn't that it's a Rickenbacker, but that it's a 4 string.

 

[Sue Egypt]

Well in the spirit of total honesty I wish to share that today I fell in love with a Rickenbacker. It is a 1974 4001 Jetglo 4 string. I have hated every Ricky I've played in the past but this one really spoke to me and I wanted to take it home. Going to sleep on it and make a decision in the morning.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Well in the spirit of total honesty I wish to share that today I fell in love with a Rickenbacker. It is a 1974 4001 Jetglo 4 string. I have hated every Ricky I've played in the past but this one really spoke to me and I wanted to take it home. Going to sleep on it and make a decision in the morning.

Wow! Cool man. They’re unique basses, for sure. Keep us posted.

 

[JohnArnson]

Back when I actually owned a Rickenbacker it wasn't my right arm that was a problem, it was my left hand.

Hated the way the neck felt to play on, never got used to it, and should probably never had bought the bass in the first place, but it just looked so cool and sounded so good.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Back when I actually owned a Rickenbacker it wasn't the right arm that was a problem, it was my left hand.

Hated the way the neck felt to play on, never got used to it, and should probably never had bought the bass in the first place, but it just looked so cool and sounded so good.

I just could never find a comfortable place for my plucking hand to go. The body digging into my right arm was another annoyance.

 

[msb]

I'm an old Pbass guy that can appreciate a nice Ric , I have two . A later 4001 and a mid 70's set neck 4000 . They've both been set up to suit my playing preferences and I love them both . Now , I've picked up a few Rics in various shops and not cared for them at all . And picked up others that I've instantly loved . They are not all the same .

 

[Turnaround]

They seem very well-made.

It's funny how some people see them as well-made and others point out poor bridge design, awkward pickup cover, difficult truss rods, chipping fingerboard finish, poorly cut nuts, bubbling finish at the bridge, stiff tuners etc. Makes one wonder what baselines are being used in both cases.