What's so great about the Rickenbacker?

[pb9717]

I only have experience with my 1970. That neck is ridiculously thin and flat. There is no other neck ive played thats similar. Later years got baseball thick. It also has the original 6 pole toaster pickup and later 70's 4 pole bridge pickup. With new rotos, through a good rig, the bass is a knife thru butter. Warm but cutting, twangy yet has great bottom. All the bad design foibles dont really seem to bother me when I'm railing "Free Will" or "Xanadu". I recently had the frets leveled and recrowned and the bass plays better now than it ever has, at 55 years old. Original Grovers died in the 80's, but were easily replaced. Now it's with a good friend, who also prizes it. We trade it back and forth every few years. My most used instruments now are my Streamer and my Sadowsky Modern, neither of which are very similar to the 4001. But it has a uniqueness no other brand has, and IMHO they're beautiful too.

This is the only pic I could find. The binding has turned yellow over the decades. All the other basses in this pic have moved onto new owners.

 

[Altitude]

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It's actually the J on the recording. But I say that warmly because in my head I envision him playing the Ric on that tune 100% and I thought he was playing it for 40 years. Also, Exit Stage Left.

 

[salmon256]

And I can speak from experience. My first bass was a lawsuit Ibanez copy of the Ric 4001 in Fireglo. Perfectly fine bass and I learned alot on it as my first bass. But for my 5'6" frame it felt huge and I found it uncomfortable to play. I sold it to a good friend that I lost touch with over the years who is now passed. I think like many others there is little middle ground, you love 'em or hate 'em.

Ugh a Rick on my list but I also struggle with this. I know some models and some years have skinnier necks but and Jenny Lee Lindberg is pretty small and plays one, also tons of small Japanese girls rock them but at 5'3 and being super skinny I dunno if I wanna deal with it for that price.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...Chris ONLY used a pick.

Sorry, not true.

 

[Jefenator]

If it's anything like P-basses, J-basses - and apples - the key would be to find a good one.

 

[CletusMarley]

I don't own one but this guy had me gassing for one. when I was a young metal head. Lol.

 

[KenSmithFan]

What's so great about ANY bass? Either you like a bass or you don't.

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I got one in 1973 because I wanted a more grindy tone like Yes or Wishbone ash . My 67 Guild Starfire II did sound great with halfrounds but it wasn't quite the same as a Ric . Mine was a 71 or 72 and I used it till 1978 and it was awesome , great clear tone on softer music but would grind like a mother when digging in . I used mine fingerstyle . I traded it for a 78 Jazz because I thought I needed a Fender for the newer dance music when the rock gigs were getting rare . Wish I never would have , the Fender was really nice but I didn't love it like the Ric .

 

[BigJohnAZ]

I've told this story on TB many times, when I went to check out the '77 4001 I have, and opened the case and started playing, I smiled like a little kid and gave the seller my greenbacks so fast and booked in case he wanted to change his mind. That was over 40 years ago. I still love playing that bad boy. I've never touched the truss rods and I only need to touch the the tuners a few of times a year, after seasonal changes. It's a frigging rock. And I mean ROCK! LOL

 

[Eli Brockway]

Wanted one for a long time. Knew from experience that the ergonomics on the baseline 4003 body wouldn't be for me (the only slab bodied basses I'd really want would be the very original precisions or stingrays), and I've been well aware of the quality control for as long as I've been looking for one.

Ended up doing the thing you're not supposed to and bought a 2018 4003S without even having a chance to inspect it in person, just going off of the pictures showing some of the wear and such to hope that it was one that was actually worth playing. Luckily I got a pretty good deal in it.

Haven't put it down since it got to me and it's probably got one of my favorite necks on any of my basses, the only ones that compete with it are a pair of Japanese Hohner P-bass copies I have. They're completely different profile from the Rickenbacker, but I like them equally.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Wanted one for years but never worked up the money to get one...

I do hear mixed experiences on their QC, which has given me some pause. I'd really dig a Sterling by Music Man or Rockbass by Warwick kind of 4003 model though. Getting the bulk of the character and personality with a more lean approach to some parts of the instrument...in the $600-800 range preferably

 

[2112]

I rather like mine... they can sound great and be super playable, but be prepared to sink a ton of time into working on it if the need arises.

 

[TrevorR]

Trying to find the "Amazing look, amazing sound, horrible ergonomics" button!

Loved Rick's since my very early bass days but have always hated the feel of every one I've ever picked up to play.

 

[DanAdams]

Stunningly beautiful, but otherwise annoying and meh.
Just like many stunningly beautiful people.

... but dang, it sure is pretty.

 

[DigitalMan]

I had a 4001 way back when. Loved it. But I didn't have enough knowledge to maintain it or troubleshoot it when a few minor and easily correctible things came up.

I've had a 4003 since then, and while I understand why it is different, I like the 4001's neck much better. To me, while the 4001 and 4003 look nearly identical, they are very different instruments when it comes to feel (and tone).

I'd like to get a 4001 refinished, keep the original pickups, and update some of the newer hardware like bridge, tuners, etc.

 

[manbass]

I agree with all posts here, bad and good. So no rehashing all that, here's WHY its so Great (for me bought a 4003 in 2004, converted it to a 5 in 2007 then converted it back to a 4 this year):

• The Sound - the traditionally recorded Rick tone has a unique blend of pure Bass and bass driven Treble that is not something I can replicate on any other instrument. On my P's or J's or MM's that same setting doesnt even get close. The Fender Marcus Miller Jazz I have gets almost in the ballpark. Its certainly not a scooped sound though. With only words as our tool here, that tone is homogenous.... where in other basses they (bass and Treble) are clearly audibly separate. I believe that is primarily due to the bridge pickup placement dimensionally in the scale, and the type of pickup it has always been.
• Sustain - rings for weeks.
• The Neck - The lack of neck/fingerboard taper in width compared to FSO's is a playability advantage in the money position. My fingers love it there.
• The Look - C'mon man. EVERY musician I have played with, when I put it on the strap at rehearsal or venue, they either smile or applaud as they know they are about to hear its historic sound.

 

[Dabndug]

I have a clutch of early to mid '70s Rics and a '00 V63. They are outstanding basses. Playability, tonal versatility, and build quality are second to none. I have never had an issue with the ergonomics. They look fabulous, too.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I don't own one but this guy had me gassing for one. when I was a young metal head. Lol.
View attachment 7258509

I saw that bass years ago! It might still be living at the R&RHoF&M.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I got one in 1973 because I wanted a more grindy tone like Yes or Wishbone ash . My 67 Guild Starfire II did sound great with halfrounds but it wasn't quite the same as a Ric . Mine was a 71 or 72 and I used it till 1978 and it was awesome , great clear tone on softer music but would grind like a mother when digging in . I used mine fingerstyle . I traded it for a 78 Jazz because I thought I needed a Fender for the newer dance music when the rock gigs were getting rare . Wish I never would have , the Fender was really nice but I didn't love it like the Ric .

View attachment 7258525

I straight-traded my first, starter bass, a late '60s Jazz Bass that I got in 1971, for my first Rick, a '67 4005WB in 1973. I kept that 4005WB for 38 years.

 

[Spectrum]

I vote awesome. Exhibit A (or whichever letter): Paul D'Amour on early Tool tracks.