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Was allowed to play a Rick 4001 tonight...

NickInMesa

NickInMesa

Jan 1, 2009
3,397
51
57
Mesa, Arizona
#1
And I did not like it AT ALL.

I suppose it must be like anchovies on your pizza... It may grow on you... or not.

I don't know, I was unimpressed, looked very old fashioned and not in a good way.

Lots of work on the neck, I have to admit, but I am sure I can get a luthier to build me a better bass for the price.

It just did not click.

Sorry... Flame me all you want.
 
#3
Depends on the individual bass. The first time I played a Ric was in the mid 90's I was playing with a songwriter, and he wanted me to play his fireglo Ric. It was atrocious, and didn't sound good at all. That turned me off Rics for a long time. Eventually took a good one to make me realize they weren't supposed to be that way.
 
#4
I've only played one in my "local" store. It was also pretty horrid. Something was wrong with the pickups because the E string did not come thru the amplifier at all. I would play the other strings, hear them just fine, hit the E and...nothing. Yes, I checked that i was in the standard output jack. Either way I didn't hear the "treble monster" everyone says the RIc is.
 
#8
It did have a lot of treble and I can see how pick players would favor this one (I mean legendary pick players like Chris Squire and Lemmy).

I was not impressed by the lutherie, granted it's an old bass, and did not like the feel on the neck, I did not feel comfortable at all.

I know they are pricey because they are still hand made in the good ol' US of A, but personally I'd rather spend the same amount on a Warmoth build or on a luthier's bass.
 
#9
BigOldHarry said:
Ricks are a love it / hate it thing.
Click to expand...

This is the conclusion of all Rick threads in open forums (I'm betting the ones on their forums are a little more towards the love side!). I've always liked the look and the sound when others play them, never liked playing them myself. I have considered getting one made by a luthier to get a feel I'd be more comfortable with, maybe one day.
 
#10
In all fairness, Ric has used a number of neck profiles over the years, so that one may just not have worked for you. As for the craftsmanship, I am inclined to blame that on the owner. Could be wrong, but I haven't found to many Rics that weren't really well built. Either way, as it has been said, Rics are a lot like Warwicks (judging by the threads about both on here) in that the lovers absolutely love them and the others just don't get it. True of all basses to an extent, but those ones really stick out in that respect to me.
 
#11
BigOldHarry said:
Ricks are a love it / hate it thing.
Click to expand...


I replaced my 73 Fender with a 4001 back in 1977 and I just loved it and since bought 2 more Rics. But on the other had I know bass players that just hate them.

There are a few basses that I just do not like the way they look or feel and I am sure that there are a lot of bass players that feel the same way, IMO Rics get the brunt of they love/hate relationship.:crying:
 
#12
Yeah, Rics aren't for everyone. I love my '77 4001, but I've played others, even other '77 models, and hated them. There is a lot of variance between the models and the vintages, and it took me a long time (read: over a decade) to find one that I liked. That "one" was a Waraxe that needed a lot of love, but now it's my (modded) main player. :bassist:

Disclaimer to Rickenbacker Purists: Yeah, yeah, I know modding Rics is sacrilege, but it's mine to do with as I please, thank you! :hiding:
 
#16
Definately a Love/Hate thing.

I got to play a 70's 4001 and loved it. The electronics were a little quirky (the switch wasn't working right), but the feel and playability was great.

I wasn't in love with the tone at first, it was really bright and trebley. But after some fiddling I was able to get a nice round thumpy tone that was phenomenal.

Oh well, just cross Ricks off your list of basses to buy.
 

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