What's so great about the Rickenbacker?

[Greenman72]

Never owned one, never played one, and....don't know that I've every actually seen one in real life.
Yet, judging by how many people have played one and loved it, you'd think it was the best bass this side of the Fender Precision.

Geddy Lee
Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted
Lemmy
Chris Squire
etc.

What's so great about the Ric?

 

[Greenman72]

As I typed out the list, I remember that "Nothing picks like a Ric." But look at that short list.
Geddy Lee and Cliff Burton ONLY used fingers.
Jason, Lemmy, and Chris ONLY used a pick.

What does that mean? Or does it mean anything at all?

 

[aero58]

What's so great about the Ric?

Because it's the coolest looking bass there is, and it sounds great!

 

[el murdoque]

I'm unable to pick a proper answer from your list.
Rickenbackers are quirky instruments.

It's hard to find a middle ground at that price point, so you either love or hate them.
They are among the coolest looking basses.
And they are quite expensive.
If you're going for an older one, the bridge is a nasty piece of work to set the intonation on. While some complain about that, others state that while it is work, It's also set and forget.
Then there's the dual truss rods.
The ergonomics are also hit and miss - some love them and claim they're the easiest players ever while others say they constantly suffer edges digging into their bodies at nearly every point of contact.

 

[ardgedee]

As I typed out the list, I remember that "Nothing picks like a Ric." But look at that short list.
Geddy Lee and Cliff Burton ONLY used fingers.
Jason, Lemmy, and Chris ONLY used a pick.

What does that mean? Or does it mean anything at all?

It means the Ric is more versatile than its reputation implies.

Rics are awesome. I love the tone(s). Have no interest at all in owning one. Hope plenty of other bassists keep playing 'em though.

 

[Geepers]

The SOUND man, the sound!!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I also have never owned one, and have only played someone else's a few times.
Ive always appreciated them, from afar, for 3 reasons.
1. Their looks .... So cool looking. Pretty enough to turn the head of a Fender fanboy.
2. Their sound....Practically unmistakable.
3. Their legacy.... All those great players who made their bones on Rics
The reason I never got one? Financial, mostly. Their expensive buggers.
Would I love it, despite the ergonomic complaints I've heard so much about?
I'll get back to ya.... as soon as I hit that lottery!

 

[red_rhino]

I owned one for many years. It was the first bass I bought brand new. Loved it. I bought it because I couldn't stand the P-bass tone, and Jazz basses weighed a ton and played like a chunk of granite at the time (1975). I wanted a super aggressive tone, so yeah, Rotosounds.

"Nothing picks like a Ric."

I played finger style. However, there were a few times in the studio when I used a pick. It was the right bass at the right time. (The producer was so concerned I didn't have a P-bass that he had one brought in just in case. Wasn't needed; the Ric sounds great in the studio.)

Rickenbackers are quirky instruments.

Yep. Pretty much everything you said is true, although the ergonomics of my particular instrument were really really nice. I've played others that were more difficult. The one negative thing I will say about them is that they're not the best bass for slapping. You can do it, but it takes more work and focus to get a good sound. It's just not in the bass' DNA.

 

[lomo]

I also didn't find the optimal answer for me. They sound fine. They look interesting/ quirky & iconic. IME the shape is ergonomically uncomfortable and inferior to most other popular designs. The dual rods and bridge are not worth the trouble. I have heard/ read a disproportionate number of complaints about their QC, but I understand that some people love them. When someone asks me why I love vinyl LPs, I respond :"It's the expense and inconvenience that draw me"

 

[ahbass2500]

It means the Ric is more versatile than its reputation implies.

Rics are awesome. I love the tone(s). Have no interest at all in owning one. Hope plenty of other bassists keep playing 'em though.

^Exactly what I came here to say. Said better than I would have so just going to like and quote so everyone else reads it again.

Only add I have is that I have played a few with the intention of buying and always find that I do not bond with them.

 

[Milo Spleen]

I bought this one in 1977 and to this day, it's still my favorite neck profile. After playing other basses more recently, I think that the sound is hollow, but uniquely Ric sounding. I never regretted buying it, but I sure hate that I traded in a 60 Jazz for it. Live and learn.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Never owned one, never played one, and....don't know that I've every actually seen one in real life.
Yet, judging by how many people have played one and loved it, you'd think it was the best bass this side of the Fender Precision.

Geddy Lee
Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted
Lemmy
Chris Squire
etc.

What's so great about the Ric?

they sound f#<<in cool bro
I've owned two and sold both, one 4003 and one 4003 fretless.

 

[pb9717]

My avatar shows me holding my 70' in 83'. Still own it. With brand new roto's it's a pretty killin tone.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

They don't make my favorite model anymore. (so pass the carrots please...)

 

[Heiwa]

Iconic and cool looking. But I don't want one, and never did.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I voted for not the GOAT but stands with the best of them, but if I'm being honest the only other basses that have struck me like a Rickenbacker are modified in some way, both my Rickenbackers are bone stock. But, I've played some absolute dogs, but when they are good, they are incredible forces of nature and way more versatile than people give them credit for!

 

[Fuzzbass]

Back in the late 70's I temporarily swapped my Fender P with my friend's Jetglo 4001 for a month. It has what I consider some design flaws:

• A hard 90 degree edge where the forearm rests, can get uncomfortable after awhile (true for the 4001, but not all Rics)
• The pickup cover was a big PITA to install and remove
• Don't even get me started on bridge adjustments

But all of these were outweighed by the Ric's amazing look and tone. I stayed a P-bass guy, but it was tons of fun to borrow that Jetglo Ric.

 

[ElectricBass72]

There's nothing like the tone of the bridge pickup solo'ed on a Rickenbacker. It has a magical, unique sound that no other bass can achieve. I like the neck pickup better on a Jazz bass, but the bridge pickup on the Rickenbacker is the ultimate in single coil bridge pickups on a bass.

 

[brianrost]

As I typed out the list, I remember that "Nothing picks like a Ric." But look at that short list.

Paul McCartney

Mike Rutherford

Jon Camp

Stu Cook

Chris Brubeck

Pete Quaife

Ron Carter

Paul Goddard

etc.

 

[DJ Bebop]

What's so great about the Rickenbacker? ​

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