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What's the deal with Rics?
- Thread starter Gaolee
- Start date
Agreed. One of the most uncomfortable basses I've played was a Ric.
I'm a hater.
I'm a lover myself.
Let's go drink beer.
never felt 100% comfortable playing a bass fingerstyle until I got my 4001. I play over the fretboard most of the time, though.
It's a slab body with a conservative tummy contour. It does not literally cut into your arm. Many popular guitars and basses are slab bodies (Fender Telecaster, 50s P Bass, etc.). It is incumbent upon the player to adjust to the body on a slab-bodied guitar. For some this is nearly impossible. For some this is not a big deal. Either way, it's not an indictment of the brand. It is what it is.
The pickup configuration can be a challenge for players who depend on a thumb anchor. It is unlike most other basses, and it can take some players a little effort to figure out how and where to anchor their thumb. I developed a floating plucking hand after playing Rics, it didn't take long, and it has served me quite well. For other players, this is a near impossibility.
As for necks, if you are ultra-sensitive about neck dimensions, you will find fault with the majority of basses out there because it is not micro-measured to your demanding specifications and needs. I am fairly flexible in adjusting to different necks. From the thinnest Jazz to the thickest extended range neck, just give me about five minutes and I'll be fine. As for the Rick neck, I do not find anything extreme about it at all. There are a couple of distinctly different variations of the Ric neck profile through the decades, a very comfortable profile and a rather thick profile, more like a P bass, and I own at least one of each, both in heavy rotation.
FWIW, I also play Fender, Gibson, Hofner, Yamaha, and Peavey, to name a few. I have several custom and boutique builds. Your ability to adapt to and enjoy a Ric depends upon your ability to adapt and enjoy.
The pickup configuration can be a challenge for players who depend on a thumb anchor. It is unlike most other basses, and it can take some players a little effort to figure out how and where to anchor their thumb. I developed a floating plucking hand after playing Rics, it didn't take long, and it has served me quite well. For other players, this is a near impossibility.
As for necks, if you are ultra-sensitive about neck dimensions, you will find fault with the majority of basses out there because it is not micro-measured to your demanding specifications and needs. I am fairly flexible in adjusting to different necks. From the thinnest Jazz to the thickest extended range neck, just give me about five minutes and I'll be fine. As for the Rick neck, I do not find anything extreme about it at all. There are a couple of distinctly different variations of the Ric neck profile through the decades, a very comfortable profile and a rather thick profile, more like a P bass, and I own at least one of each, both in heavy rotation.
FWIW, I also play Fender, Gibson, Hofner, Yamaha, and Peavey, to name a few. I have several custom and boutique builds. Your ability to adapt to and enjoy a Ric depends upon your ability to adapt and enjoy.
I learned how to float my thumb playing a Pbass because I wanted to have a wider tonal variety .
Never could understand why anyone would restrict their plucking position to one little spot .
Never could understand why anyone would restrict their plucking position to one little spot .
I started on bass when I started on guitar, and gravitated to the smaller bass necks... My first bass was an early 60s Hagstrom I, which had a pencil neck even smaller than many guitar necks! Then a '72 Fender Jazz, then and '80 Carvin... All necks still relatively small in hand...
Stepping up (in cost!!) to my first Rick (IIRC, '87 4003) was an eyeopener! Deep neck with narrow fretboard! Perfect! Silly me, I thought all Ricks would be identical - forgetting, of course, that each piece of wood also differs from one to the next... So, because I couldn't stand to look at the awful "Bozo-Glo" color, I sold it. The next Rick (4001v63 Macca type) was a beautiful Maple-Glo, with rounded edges (more comfortable than 4003), and a superb neck - one of the thinnest/narrowest Rick necks I'd ever felt! But the wood was just dead, and I hated the tone! Sustain for days! Probably great for heavy metal too... But not for me... 3rd Rick was a gorgeous Jet-Glo. The neck on this otherwise toneful beast was very chunky... But I gave it up mostly because I needed cash...
I currently have a yearling 4003 (in beautiful Fire-Glo!), and a 4001v63 that needs some restoration. But the wood in both is VERY resonant! Makes ALL the difference!
The Fire-Glo neck is thinner back to front than the Jet-Glo was, as is the v63 neck, which I prefer. The v63 also has a narrower fretboard, which I also prefer... It took years, and several tries, but I'm in Rickenbacker heaven now! I wasn't able to "play before you pay" for any of these Rickenbacker basses... So, if you are able, try 'em out first... But rest assured, if you end up with one you do not like, you'll likely find a buyer anyway. The player who bought that "dead wood" absolutely LOVED that v63!! More proof of "different strokes..."
Don't give up test-driving Rickenbackers. There are so many variations that you're bound to find one that is just right!
And, "YUUUUUP," my main influence is also Sir Paul!
Stepping up (in cost!!) to my first Rick (IIRC, '87 4003) was an eyeopener! Deep neck with narrow fretboard! Perfect! Silly me, I thought all Ricks would be identical - forgetting, of course, that each piece of wood also differs from one to the next... So, because I couldn't stand to look at the awful "Bozo-Glo" color, I sold it. The next Rick (4001v63 Macca type) was a beautiful Maple-Glo, with rounded edges (more comfortable than 4003), and a superb neck - one of the thinnest/narrowest Rick necks I'd ever felt! But the wood was just dead, and I hated the tone! Sustain for days! Probably great for heavy metal too... But not for me... 3rd Rick was a gorgeous Jet-Glo. The neck on this otherwise toneful beast was very chunky... But I gave it up mostly because I needed cash...
I currently have a yearling 4003 (in beautiful Fire-Glo!), and a 4001v63 that needs some restoration. But the wood in both is VERY resonant! Makes ALL the difference!
The Fire-Glo neck is thinner back to front than the Jet-Glo was, as is the v63 neck, which I prefer. The v63 also has a narrower fretboard, which I also prefer... It took years, and several tries, but I'm in Rickenbacker heaven now! I wasn't able to "play before you pay" for any of these Rickenbacker basses... So, if you are able, try 'em out first... But rest assured, if you end up with one you do not like, you'll likely find a buyer anyway. The player who bought that "dead wood" absolutely LOVED that v63!! More proof of "different strokes..."
Don't give up test-driving Rickenbackers. There are so many variations that you're bound to find one that is just right!
And, "YUUUUUP," my main influence is also Sir Paul!
yes...neck and body countours....and thumb rests (or lack there of)
I LOVE the sound of a RIC but not the feel...I had a "great one" and let it go because I could not get used to playing it..
The only problem I had when I got mine was as soon as I strapped it on and stood up, my right hand wanted to be right on the bridge pickup. Not possible with the cover, so I removed it and added a pickup bezel with built in thumbrest and all was good. I love my Ric as much as I love my P-basses.
I normally play one of two Fender Jazz basses, or a Fender Precision. My Precision is kind of unusual, in that it came from the factory with a jazz style neck. All three are fairly light, and fit me very well.
I also have a 2006 Ric 4003. It's a very different animal. It balances at a different angle than the Fenders. The neck is bigger, especially at the nut. And the bridge cover is in the way. I've left it on, because it's a pita to remove and replace, and I figure learning to play around it is part of the Ric experience.
I play with an aggressive finger style, and fairly high action on the Fenders. My Ric neck is perfectly flat, and the string height is the same all the way up the neck. I find myself playing with a much lighter touch on the Ric. It has a very nice tone, and drummers seem to prefer the sound to my Fenders, because it cuts through. They say they can hear me better.
The 4003 is beautifully made; it's a work of art. It's so nice, I hate to bring it to gigs. Yeah, I know that's silly.
I also have a 2006 Ric 4003. It's a very different animal. It balances at a different angle than the Fenders. The neck is bigger, especially at the nut. And the bridge cover is in the way. I've left it on, because it's a pita to remove and replace, and I figure learning to play around it is part of the Ric experience.
I play with an aggressive finger style, and fairly high action on the Fenders. My Ric neck is perfectly flat, and the string height is the same all the way up the neck. I find myself playing with a much lighter touch on the Ric. It has a very nice tone, and drummers seem to prefer the sound to my Fenders, because it cuts through. They say they can hear me better.
The 4003 is beautifully made; it's a work of art. It's so nice, I hate to bring it to gigs. Yeah, I know that's silly.
I've loved the sound of Ricks over the years and am a great admirer of Geddy Lee and Chris Squire. I've owned 3 Ricks (i think all 3 were 4001s) over the years, and hated all 3 of them. They weren't comfortable to play, and they sounded like pewp. I'd always assumed it was me, but now years later with the intrawebs I've found that a lot of other people had the same issues and concerns that I had, and that those issues are fixable. The pickups are pretty hot and do not need to be replaced, in fact most replacement Rick PUs are poo to my ears (looking at you SD); the problems like in the wiring and are fixable. The binding? Get one that isn't a collectable gem and add a bit of contour; sure many won't like it, but if it helps you then why not? Despite having owned and sold 3 I'm not entirely against trying a 4th one.
Not bashing, just stating my opinion. If they are perfect to you as is, grats. If you can't stand them, grats just the same.
Not bashing, just stating my opinion. If they are perfect to you as is, grats. If you can't stand them, grats just the same.
I play a Rickenbacker 4000 bass made in 1974. Excellent instrument.
Ricks are basses. If you can play bass, you can play a Rick.
Ricks are basses. If you can play bass, you can play a Rick.
Is it because they're round, heavy and have three holes where you put your fingers?
The vintage 4001s and newer 4003s I've played have all had great necks in my opinion. I really love the way they play.
I think the main issue for many people might be the bulky pickup cover that forces you to strike the strings above or below it -- which can not be the most natural / normal right hand position many may be used to -- and it might be one reason you see a good bit of Rick's with that piece removed.
Re: LowNotes1's experience with 4001 and lack of low end: yeah, from what I can tell, the 4003's do have a lower end growl compared to the 4001 -- which is why in 2006 Rick added the push/pull ability on their 4003s to change from the current 4003 sound to the vintage 4001 sound that cuts some of the lows.
As far as the sound, I personally think the 4003 is unmatched. Massively full low end. Clearly distinct low, mid & highs - yet overall is very warm. A unique, noticeably rich sound.
And if you are shopping for one like I had been recently, I just posted on TB with some options for a new, delivered 4003 for $1510 -- with thanks to TB'ers who helped highlight some great Rick retailers.
I think the main issue for many people might be the bulky pickup cover that forces you to strike the strings above or below it -- which can not be the most natural / normal right hand position many may be used to -- and it might be one reason you see a good bit of Rick's with that piece removed.
Re: LowNotes1's experience with 4001 and lack of low end: yeah, from what I can tell, the 4003's do have a lower end growl compared to the 4001 -- which is why in 2006 Rick added the push/pull ability on their 4003s to change from the current 4003 sound to the vintage 4001 sound that cuts some of the lows.
As far as the sound, I personally think the 4003 is unmatched. Massively full low end. Clearly distinct low, mid & highs - yet overall is very warm. A unique, noticeably rich sound.
And if you are shopping for one like I had been recently, I just posted on TB with some options for a new, delivered 4003 for $1510 -- with thanks to TB'ers who helped highlight some great Rick retailers.
I think there were perhaps three, maybe four people who bought Rics in the past and expected to instantly sound like Geddy Lee or Chris Squire. When that didn't happen, they began a crusade to blame Rics for all the ills in the world.
I own two Rics (one with binding, one with a contoured body); and two Hamer Cruise Bass's. I play them all equally with no complaints.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
A-Step-Towards said:
+1
The first time I saw a Ric at my local music store, I got all giddy, because it is such a famous, recognizable instrument. When I picked it up, that enthusiasm disappeared. I have never played such an uncomfortable instrument.
I have decided that it's much more fun to watch Lemmy play a Ric than to play one myself.
I have a number of basses, but mainly play Ricks. Interestingly, whenever I play my Fender (which I like a lot), people say "it sounds good, but not as good as the Ricks". I didn't expect people to notice, really.
