What's the deal with Rics?

[PMA]

Well, if anyone is interested, I am willing to part with my Ric 4004 CII/5. Send a private message for details.

 

[Rickenbassist]

It doesn't mean anything - "polarizing" is usually just buyers-remorse speak for "holy crap, this thing sucks! I played it all afternoon and my arms and ears are killing me, I though it'd be god!". The term "get used to a Rick..." is a euphemism for the mortal, evil, evil sin of fitting the player to the instrument, rather than the other way around, after all the bassist's money has been spent and there's no other option left except trying to gig with the thing.

The 4000 series is a very old design, long before we knew what we know now about bass ergonomics. It's main ergonomic problems are terrible balance and too high of an upper horn - this makes it a challenge to play on the strap when standing up (unless you're the size of a gorilla), especially long term (the fretting wrist will really take a beating over time). The thick neck of the 4003 is a problem for some also.

Then there's the sound, an entire chapter of woe all by itself.....

But in the end, there's nothing cosmic going on with the Rick. It's just a bass and it either fits you and what you want or it doesn't. Pay no attention to the folklore surrounding it; you're almost guaranteed to be disappointed (I sure was). Try it out and see if you like it, but don't expect any burning bushes.

The good points are the woodworking and finish. I've always found my ricks to have been really well made (the crappy hardware here and there are exceptions of course). The fretted versions intonate really well especially higher up on the neck, better than any other fretted bass I've owned. And of course, they're gorgeous - you can just sit there and stare at it on the stand and never get tired of looking at it.

Good luck with it,

LS

The 4000 series isn't nearly as old as the original P bass design. Also the construction of the 4003 varied several times from the early 80s to the current model. The neck on the current 4003 is more like the 68 4001 its modeled after, the body as well. My 83 and my 96 4003's have very slim necks. The frets on the 83 are much different though. They're very small, on the 96 however, they're much larger and the pickups are warmer. The 83 just sounds evil and near fretless. I also never experienced any of the balance issues you mention. I strap the bass on and it just stays where I strap it. I also must be an exception to the rule because I actually did get used to the Ric, and had a hard time really liking anything else, and I've played some seriously expensive and exotic basses, and I always liked the Ric's playability and sound more. I use them primarily for studio work these days, and play a Fender P bass live primarily because I wanted to try something different, and because I had been playing the same make of bass for 20 years.

 

[Ezmar]

hated the only ric i played. it had no place to rest my thumb. the neck pickup was barely wider than the strings and very recessed into the body. there was another cavity above the pickup that my thumb just disappeared into.

never touched another ric again

The only Rick that I ever played was in terrible shape, although I'm sure it would have been fantastic with a little work. It had a homebrew thumbrest that was just a drumstick head glued onto the body. It was a vintage 4001 and hadn't been played or serviced in years.

 

[unclejane]

I also never experienced any of the balance issues you mention. I strap the bass on and it just stays where I strap it.

To clarify, do the following:
- put the bass on
- pull the neck up to about the 45 to 50 degree position
- release the neck, play and move around a bit.

A properly balanced instrument won't do what the Rick does. The Fender has the same problem as do a lot of even boutique level instruments.

A lot of makers, like Carvin, Conklin and others have started addressing this in their instruments and they're much easier to deal with on the strap...

LS

 

[Kopfjaeger]

To clarify, do the following:
- put the bass on
- pull the neck up to about the 45 to 50 degree position
- release the neck, play and move around a bit.

A properly balanced instrument won't do what the Rick does. The Fender has the same problem as do a lot of even boutique level instruments.

A lot of makers, like Carvin, Conklin and others have started addressing this in their instruments and they're much easier to deal with on the strap...

LS

I must be a gorilla. I have none of these "issues". The neck on all my Rickenbackers is much more comfortable for me than my early 80's fender P bass and my Modulus Quantum 5.

I also experience no problems playing it while sitting down.

Sepp

 

[Korladis]

hated the only ric i played. it had no place to rest my thumb. the neck pickup was barely wider than the strings and very recessed into the body. there was another cavity above the pickup that my thumb just disappeared into.

never touched another ric again

When I need to rest my thumb, I rest it on the edge of the pickguard, on the pickup cover, or on the edge of the body.

 

[254 stringer]

Just wait soon unclejane will start telling us how rics sound bad and the only bass that sounds good in the mix is a carvin.

 

[Korladis]

+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.

Clearly you've never played a Fender Telecaster, or a Gibson Les Paul, or any other slab-bodied instrument. Rickenbacker 4003's and 4001's are no more uncomfortable than any other slab-bodied instrument.

Besides which, Lemmy plays a 4004, and all 4004's besides his limited edition model are contoured.

People keep acting like Rickenbacker only makes one model of bass.

 

[Korladis]

It doesn't mean anything - "polarizing" is usually just buyers-remorse speak for "holy crap, this thing sucks! I played it all afternoon and my arms and ears are killing me, I though it'd be god!". The term "get used to a Rick..." is a euphemism for the mortal, evil, evil sin of fitting the player to the instrument, rather than the other way around, after all the bassist's money has been spent and there's no other option left except trying to gig with the thing.

The 4000 series is a very old design, long before we knew what we know now about bass ergonomics. It's main ergonomic problems are terrible balance and too high of an upper horn - this makes it a challenge to play on the strap when standing up (unless you're the size of a gorilla), especially long term (the fretting wrist will really take a beating over time). The thick neck of the 4003 is a problem for some also.

Then there's the sound, an entire chapter of woe all by itself.....

But in the end, there's nothing cosmic going on with the Rick. It's just a bass and it either fits you and what you want or it doesn't. Pay no attention to the folklore surrounding it; you're almost guaranteed to be disappointed (I sure was). Try it out and see if you like it, but don't expect any burning bushes.

The good points are the woodworking and finish. I've always found my ricks to have been really well made (the crappy hardware here and there are exceptions of course). The fretted versions intonate really well especially higher up on the neck, better than any other fretted bass I've owned. And of course, they're gorgeous - you can just sit there and stare at it on the stand and never get tired of looking at it.

Good luck with it,

LS

My 4001 balances perfectly. The neck is very comfortable. I don't mind the slab body at all... I can't imagine putting enough pressure on my right forearm for the edge of the body to bother me.

Besides, though, they also make the 4004... which has contoured edges, and a modern bridge design, and no pickup cover. And humbucking pickups.

It seems like people would rather gripe about the 4001/4003 than try out the bass that Ric made that doesn't have the issues they love complaining about.

 

[Korladis]

To clarify, do the following:
- put the bass on
- pull the neck up to about the 45 to 50 degree position
- release the neck, play and move around a bit.

A properly balanced instrument won't do what the Rick does. The Fender has the same problem as do a lot of even boutique level instruments.

A lot of makers, like Carvin, Conklin and others have started addressing this in their instruments and they're much easier to deal with on the strap...

LS

"What the Rick does"?

And what's that?

I can take my hands off mine and move around and it still stays at about a 45 degree angle.

 

[FunkHead]

To clarify, do the following:
- put the bass on
- pull the neck up to about the 45 to 50 degree position
- release the neck, play and move around a bit.

A properly balanced instrument won't do what the Rick does. The Fender has the same problem as do a lot of even boutique level instruments.

A lot of makers, like Carvin, Conklin and others have started addressing this in their instruments and they're much easier to deal with on the strap...

LS

I waste no energy holding My Ric Balanced. It stays where I put it. Same with my Fender Jaguar. Same with my Vintage Bullet Bass and My Aria. Sure if I let go of the neck and jump around they're going move a little bit but they're 99% balanced. As opposed to a Thunderbird. As long as you don't have to take energy away from your playing to keep the neck at a certain level, Then you can focus 100% on your playing. I've never played a Ric that didn't balance well enough to play with extreme comfort.

 

[bigchiefbc]

I am still getting used to the slab body and binding on my '76 4001. As a primarily pick player that hits the strings pretty aggressively, I find that my forearm is still getting beat up pretty bad when I play the Ric for longer than a half hour or so without taking a break.

But it's worth it, because it's got the amazing goddamned tone I've ever heard from a bass. I've never heard anything else that sounds like it. So I'm just going to continue adjusting my playing technique until it doesn't bother me anymore.

It's not a huge deal for me, because I tend to switch back and forth between the Ric and my L2500 every few songs or so during gigs and practice.

 

[FunkHead]

I am still getting used to the slab body and binding on my '76 4001. As a primarily pick player that hits the strings pretty aggressively, I find that my forearm is still getting beat up pretty bad when I play the Ric for longer than a half hour or so without taking a break.

But it's worth it, because it's got the amazing goddamned tone I've ever heard from a bass. I've never heard anything else that sounds like it. So I'm just going to continue adjusting my playing technique until it doesn't bother me anymore.

It's not a huge deal for me, because I tend to switch back and forth between the Ric and my L2500 every few songs or so during gigs and practice.

I think you'll find yourself not even thinking about it after a short while. Muscle Memory will "kick in". I'm a Finger style player but I did an entire show with a Pick just to have fun on my 4003. What a Blast. I'm not going to push Ric's on anyone. They can play whatever they want but for those of us who love them "Like Me ", We get to smile ear to ear while we play them.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I waste no energy holding My Ric Balanced. It stays where I put it. Same with my Fender Jaguar. Same with my Vintage Bullet Bass and My Aria. Sure if I let go of the neck and jump around they're going move a little bit but they're 99% balanced. As opposed to a Thunderbird. As long as you don't have to take energy away from your playing to keep the neck at a certain level, Then you can focus 100% on your playing. I've never played a Ric that didn't balance well enough to play with extreme comfort.

I'll post a pic sometime, but, I can balance my '71 4001 with my index finger under the upper bout wave crest. One finger. Perfect balance.

 

[FunkHead]

I'll post a pic sometime, but, I can balance my '71 4001 with my index finger under the upper bout wave crest. One finger. Perfect balance.

Sweet! I love my Ric in every way. It's just so different from Say a Fender Jaguar which is my other favourite bass. But.....Different isn't bad.........

 

[Jazz Ad]

Most basses derive from Fender, Rics don't.
They have a feel and balance of their own, which can be somewhat confusing when you first touch one.

 

[bigchiefbc]

I think you'll find yourself not even thinking about it after a short while. Muscle Memory will "kick in". I'm a Finger style player but I did an entire show with a Pick just to have fun on my 4003. What a Blast. I'm not going to push Ric's on anyone. They can play whatever they want but for those of us who love them "Like Me ", We get to smile ear to ear while we play them.

That's definitely the goal. Hopefully after another 6 months of playing it, my arm will naturally start arching over the bound edge on it's own without my thinking about it.

Regardless, nothing's going to stop me from playing it. I'm totally in love with it at this point.

 

[FunkHead]

That's definitely the goal. Hopefully after another 6 months of playing it, my arm will naturally start arching over the bound edge on it's own without my thinking about it.

Regardless, nothing's going to stop me from playing it. I'm totally in love with it at this point.

Right on. If you're at a gig, You don't even notice stuff like that. Call it adrenaline but you just play and enjoy the sweet tones eminating from a gorgeous instrument. I don't get too caught up in gear But playing my Ric always feel like a dream come true.

 

[bigchiefbc]

Right on. If you're at a gig, You don't even notice stuff like that. Call it adrenaline but you just play and enjoy the sweet tones eminating from a gorgeous instrument. I don't get too caught up in gear But playing my Ric always feel like a dream come true.

I've already gigged with it 4 times. Each time, I never notice it while I'm playing. It's only afterwards, when we're loading out, that I see that my right forearm is rubbed raw.

 

[FunkHead]

I've already gigged with it 4 times. Each time, I never notice it while I'm playing. It's only afterwards, when we're loading out, that I see that my right forearm is rubbed raw.

Holy cow. I hope it gets a little better each time.