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What bass should I buy next?

#41
MCF said:
Ric is a small company. And it refuses to offshore builds. Which is admirable. Orange County real estate and wages are among the highest in the country. The land where the factory is is worth a fortune.
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I respect what Ric does to keep their brand perception high and I know that operating in Orange County costs a bundle. It sounds like Ric wants to keep operating just like they did 60 years ago even though the world and the guitar market have changed a lot.
 
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#42
i'd go for a spector or a stingray - stingrays are absolute classics for a reason. but a ric is pretty classic, although i don't associate it with blues but that could be because i don't know of many blues bass players. i definitely suggest you try in person if possible as i find rics aren't for everyone. in fact, try 'em all in person and see which sounds/feels best to you.
 
#44
MrAB4003 said:
That doesn't mean that they're in financial trouble. Ric is an unusual company because they've been making the guitars and basses (just about) the same way since the 1950s. Their products speak for themselves and they're well known thanks to being on countless records, so music kind of serves as their marketing. They don't need to invest into the company any more than they have to because of the backlog. They need to focus on production, OM, and investing in resources to build their instruments. And it appears they're doing just that lately.

So if you ask me, Ric is doing well financially. But their marketing in the traditional sense is terrible.
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I just don’t see where they’re doing great if they can’t dig up a few bucks to make their website functional- even with its incredibly outdated design and poor navigation. Exhibiting at NAMM isn’t cheap (I know that firsthand) but they managed to do it for decades.
 
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#46
Lance Bunyon said:
EBMM Bongo. Hands down the most modern bass I've ever owned.
Also it was co-designed by BMW.
I highly recommend the HH.
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I love Musicman basses and did own a Bongo for a couple of years. Ultimately the pointy lower bout digging into my thigh when playing seated meant it had to go. Be aware of this aspect of its ergonomics if and when you consider buying one.
 
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#49
What bass should you buy? I'll recommend [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], in the sense that it's what I'll probably buy next.
Screenshot 2023-11-06 235331.png

But honestly, you should probably buy something more like this.
70327-Maverick-Bass-VIntage-Wood-Cow-Lick-Boogie-3.jpg
 
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#50
The Rick IMHO sounds the best (and most different), and you might like its feel if you're used to the chunky P neck. Unfortunately they're also the most shoddily built (save for maybe vintage or earliest Chinese reissue Danos), and customer support aren't putatively the best.
 
#51
51PRI said:
I have several Precisions, and others, but I think I want something pretty different. So far I'm considering Danelectro, Rickenbacker, Kawai, and Warwick. We play a lot of blues, and other things, but I think I want to step outside the norm a little bit.

Thoughts?
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Dingwall Super P. Everything you had in a normal Precision but didn’t at the same time.
Just my humble ramble.
 
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#53
51PRI said:
I have several Precisions, and others, but I think I want something pretty different. So far I'm considering Danelectro, Rickenbacker, Kawai, and Warwick. We play a lot of blues, and other things, but I think I want to step outside the norm a little bit.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
If you like P basses, go for a rickenbacker.
 
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#54
51PRI said:
I have several Precisions, and others, but I think I want something pretty different. So far I'm considering Danelectro, Rickenbacker, Kawai, and Warwick. We play a lot of blues, and other things, but I think I want to step outside the norm a little bit.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

What exactly do you have in mind (and not talking about this or that bass here) in terms of pretty different or outside the norm?

A different tone, two pickups instead of one, slimmer neck, different looks, different tone?

What?
 
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#57
The Yamaha BBP35 I've owned for 10 weeks now was/is "out of the norm" for me, but I've played little else since getting it. Definitely a "should have gotten one of these sooner" event for me, and a keeper. Good luck, have fun.
 
#58
Gizmot said:
I love my Ric bass and it sounds phenomenal.

Here’s a question for everyone - is Ric still in business? Their website has been down for weeks - not a good sign
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I almost wish they'd go bankrupt - and then someone nice could buy them and tighten up their acts. As nice as their instruments are (designed, NOT built), I'd replace John Hall like I do the pre-covid stock bridge if I could.

Also +1 to every suggestion to Epiphone. Embassy, VP Thunderbird, Jack Casady, even the Viola is a very good and different instrument to have in anyone's arsenal.
 
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#60
Iristone said:
I almost wish they'd go bankrupt - and then someone nice could buy them and tighten up their acts. As nice as their instruments are (designed, NOT built), I'd replace John Hall like I do the pre-covid stock bridge if I could.

Also +1 to every suggestion to Epiphone. Embassy, VP Thunderbird, Jack Casady, even the Viola is a very good and different instrument to have in anyone's arsenal.
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John Hall has been replaced by his son Ben as he retired a few years ago. I also respectfully disagree about wanting Ric to go bankrupt.
 
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