What's wrong with the Rickenbacker 4003?

[trothwell]

There aren't many Rickenbackers on the racks even in larger cities, but certainly not around where I live. I've long been interested in them, though.

My dad played a Rickenbacker years ago, I suppose a 4001. He said he once played it at a recording session, and the engineer liked the sound so much, he asked my Dad to bring it back to another session. Apparently he just wanted to borrow the bass itself, not my Dad to play it... :-/

Five years ago, I walked into a music store out of town, and on the rack were two basses I was interested in: a limited edition Fender P/J, and a Rickenbacker 4003. I excitedly tried the Fender first, and was pleased, but not as amazed as I expected. Then I tried the Rickenbacker, and was astounded. This sounded so good! So clear and punchy. It was unlike anything I had played before. I thought about buying it right then and there, but didn't.

I was recently at another store that had a 4003 on the rack, and tried it out, again comparing to a Fender. Again, the Rickenbacker sounded markedly better to me. I might would have this time bought that one off the rack, but they only had black finish, and I wanted to get one in natural maple, like my Dad had.

I found one at another store, ordered it, and have been enjoying it greatly the past few days.

So getting down to the question -- now that I'm doing some actual research about specific questions about Rickenbackers (e.g., how to adjust the pickup height, how to tweak the truss rod, etc.), I am seeing lots and lots of people complaining about them. Either claiming quality control issues (seems perfectly well-made to me!), or claiming that they just don't sound good (sounds great to me!), or claiming they feel weird in their hands (a little different, but no complaints from me there either).

Am I missing something? Should I in fact not be liking this 4003 as much as I do? Do I have some blind spot?

What's wrong with the Rickenbacker 4003?

 

[willsellout]

If you like it who cares what anyone else thinks…especially random nerds on the internet, myself included

There are a lot of haters. There are a lot of lovers. Play what you like and play it in good health.

 

[msb]

I love a nice Ric .
We go way back .

 

[trothwell]

If you like it who cares what anyone else thinks…especially random nerds on the internet, myself included

There are a lot of haters. There are a lot of lovers. Play what you like and play it in good health.

Agreed! I had just never noticed such an abundance of hate before, and was curious if there was something substantial that I was missing. If a bunch of people simply don't like it out of preference, well that's fine.

 

[80jazz]

Some people do not get along with their ergonomics.

I do, and I currently have 2 with plans for a third.

 

[jd56hawk]

...I am seeing lots and lots of people complaining about them. Either claiming quality control issues (seems perfectly well-made to me!), or claiming that they just don't sound good (sounds great to me!), or claiming they feel weird in their hands (a little different, but no complaints from me there either).

Well, one good bass doesn't mean quality-control issues don't exist, and just because your bass sounds good to you doesn't mean it sounds good to everyone.
As for feeling weird, to many, they do feel that way to some bassists...very uncomfortable.
Other than that, do the 4003s have the infamous
bridge many people complain about?

The simple truth is, if you like yours, fine and dandy.
I mean, they do look good.

 

[trothwell]

Well, one good bass doesn't mean quality-control issues don't exist, and just because your bass sounds good to you doesn't mean it sounds good to everyone.
As for feeling weird, to many, they do feel that way to some bassists...very uncomfortable.
Other than that, do they have the bridge many people complain about?

The simple truth is, if you like yours, fine and dandy.
I mean, they do look good.

All good points. For the three good ones I've encountered, there could be 997 awful ones. I would have no idea. I suppose likewise, someone could encounter three awful ones and then be done with the whole thing, while never encountering the 997 good ones.

As mentioned in another reply, to the extent it all boils down to personal preference, then sure, whatever. Anyone can like or dislike whatever they want. I had just never noticed before so many negative comments about the brand, and was curious if there was anything to it that really went beyond personal preference. You know, like, before I buy a second one.

 

[GIBrat51]

What's wrong with a Rick (I have 3 of them, by the way)?
1. They aren't made by Fender;
2. RIC has always gone their own way - and sells everything they make. To the point that there are often long wait times for one... especially if you're a lefty:
3. They have ergonomics that often annoy some people;
4. They aren't made by Fender;
5. The CEO (or is he the former CEO, now?), John Hall, is a notorious PITA to deal with;
6. Their warranty policies - and overall customer service - is also a notorious PITA; and,
7. They aren't made by Fender.
Aside from those many faults? Yeah, they're a really nice bass (really nice guitars, too). I quite like mine - and have liked Ricks since I learned to play bass on a friend's '68 4001 - in 1968. There are, unfortunately, a lot of haters around here, who get their jollies by talking smack about several brands of basses. IME, it's pretty much a toss up between Rick and Gibson, as to which one gets the most talked about it. Personally? I quite like my '13 Gibson Thunderbird, too - but not quite as much as my '73 4001. And, before anyone gets their panties in a wad; YES, I also own a very nice, "A-spec"- necked '78 Fender P-Bass, as well. Owned it for 34 years now, in fact...
Have you joined us over on the Rickenbacker Owners Club yet? Please do; I promise that we don't bite...

 

[jd56hawk]

All good points. For the three good ones I've encountered, there could be 997 awful ones. I would have no idea. I suppose likewise, someone could encounter three awful ones and then be done with the whole thing, while never encountering the 997 good ones.

As mentioned in another reply, to the extent it all boils down to personal preference, then sure, whatever. Anyone can like or dislike whatever they want. I had just never noticed before so many negative comments about the brand, and was curious if there was anything to it that really went beyond personal preference. You know, like, before I buy a second one.

Second to Gibson when it comes to being singled out in this regard.
Fender is right up there, too.

 

[sloppy_phil]

There is a certain inherent quirk to the Ricky bass, but my 4003 is my favourite instrument going. RIC keeps the design of that model really closely hewn to the original, which has some design and ergonomic choices that seem a little dated compared to modern advances. Plus, the neck shapes vary in shape wildly down the years, so it can be tougher to find one that fits you perfectly. But there's no replicating that tone! And I also happen to love the ergonomics, so I'm willing to work with some of the eccentricities if it means I have a bass I love to play and love the sound of

 

[Avocett]

Most of the hate seems to come from these points.

• They are expensive - yeah, they are, and there is no imported cheap versions, but it's pretty much on par with Gibson, US made fenders, musician, and every other boutique brand. Although having them listed as "call for price" on most sites makes them seem super elitest.
• Quality control - they have had some hiccups over the years, maybe more than other companies, I'm not sure, but people latch onto them due to the price. Bubbling finish, glue-glo, the midnight blue bleed, tail lift, etc. They are short on modern conveniences sure, but they aren't really badly made.
• Dual truss rods - they got rid of these, they were complicated to adjust, it scares people.
• Laquered fretboards - makes it a pain to refret......like every other lacquered fretboard.
• CEO being a dick to people - he is, and it doesn't look good when he does it to people who have issues with their instrument (see blue bleed issue)
• No knockoffs - they are aggressive with copyright threats and thus, there are no modern clones that look good enough to satisfy people wanting a cheap Rick. When everyone can afford a P-bass and find them everywhere, It makes the real ones seem less important. You can spend $2k+ on a really nice P-bass, or you can grab an off brand beater one for $100. With Rickenbacker there are no alternatives, and that pisses people off.

I have one, I love it, it's funky but nothing looks or sounds like it, I've swapped parts to make it more convenient.

 

[willsellout]

Not being made by fender is a huge plus for me. But yeah Ric’s customer service is god awful in my experience.

 

[bassnyc1]

I had 3 of them, years ago. Unfortunately I had to sell them. This past February, after 28 years of not having one, I finally got a new one. I'm in love with it. I will keep it forever. There's nothing else like it. Play what you like and enjoy it. Forget the naysayers.

 

[willsellout]

Most of the hate seems to come from these points:

• Laquered fretboards - makes it a pain to refret......like every other lacquered fretboard

I'm sure you know this, but just to be clear for the folks who don't. The new ones don't have lacquered fretboards and I really love it. I thought it was a downside but it's actually much better. Easier to work on for fretwork and the grain of the wood really comes through in a way it didn't with the lacquered fretboards. I dig it.

 

[willsellout]

All good points. For the three good ones I've encountered, there could be 997 awful ones. I would have no idea. I suppose likewise, someone could encounter three awful ones and then be done with the whole thing, while never encountering the 997 good ones.

As mentioned in another reply, to the extent it all boils down to personal preference, then sure, whatever. Anyone can like or dislike whatever they want. I had just never noticed before so many negative comments about the brand, and was curious if there was anything to it that really went beyond personal preference. You know, like, before I buy a second one.

There are a lot of very vocal folks out there who have a kind of vendetta against Ric's. There are numerous threads per week about them and the same people come in and post their opinions about everything that's wrong and there are those who come in who post the positives. They have their quirks but I dig them and nothing sounds like them in a mix. Playability is a personal preference. Tone is a preference. If it works for you, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks. They definitely work for me, despite their flaws.

 

[trothwell]

I'm sure you know this, but just to be clear for the folks who don't. The new ones don't have lacquered fretboards and I really love it. I thought it was a downside but it's actually much better. Easier to work on for fretwork and the grain of the wood really comes through in a way it didn't with the lacquered fretboards. I dig it.

It seems to me that I might have finally bought one at the right time. Truss rod improvements, bridge improvements, no more lacquered fretboards... (although admittedly I thought those looked cool, I can see it being a pain to maintain long-term).

 

[Killing Floor]

You’re right to be worried. You should not like your Ric (that you didn’t post pics of and therefore doesn’t exist). It’s only forming to your hand so you’ll keep it after the warranty expires. And it only sounds good because it’s he glue from the case is off-gassing hallucinogenic chemicals because that’s how they get you. If I were you I’d be very careful leaving your cell phone near your Ric. It knows your password. And now so do we.

 

[IPA]

they are prohibitively expensive

it's rare to hear anyone talk about Ric without bringing up QC issues, concerning for a bass approaching boutique prices

ric is an odd company. politics aside, in the year 2022, why wouldn't you have a squier/LTD/epiphone/sterling line of your brand? I'd buy a fully sanctioned import ric bass in a heartbeat.

the sound isn't different enough from a good jazz bass to make me want to spend a ton more, and roll the dice on the aforementioned QC issues

rics sound good but are mostly just cruising on Prog Boomer cred at this point

 

[willsellout]

they are prohibitively expensive

I take umbrage to this point. My last two Ric's were under 2K, for a US made bass. To me that's not prohibitively expensive, although it might be for some, granted.

it's rare to hear anyone talk about Ric without bringing up QC issues, concerning for a bass approaching boutique prices

Once again I don't think Ric even approaches boutique prices. They are in line with most US manufactured basses. I've owned a half dozen Ric's and while they have components that I swap out sometimes I've had zero QC issues. Many of the QC issues were from over a decade ago involving the paints they used and the bridge lift, which having owned two newer Ric 4003's within the past 5 years, has been solved. There are always outliers, as with any manufacturer, but I honestly don't think they have any more or less than any other builder at this point.

the sound isn't different enough from a good jazz bass to make me want to spend a ton more, and roll the dice on the aforementioned QC issues

I would tend to disagree considering I've owned numerous Fender J basses and currently own a Fender J bass. A J bass really doesn't sound like a Ric other than the fact that they are both bass guitars.

 

[Snakeman1066]

IMHO NOTHING...and I mean NOTHING sounds as well distorted as a Rickenbacker does

The people that love them...love them that's all that should matter to you...

Who gives a flying Rat's backside what other people think!?

and yes I own two of them!!!