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Why did I have to play a Rickenbacker?!

M

mbell75

May 23, 2016
2,172
2,886
#1
Only played a 4003 years ago and briefly. Decided to play one again at Guitar Center yesterday. Big mistake, now I have GAS and $2250 is an expensive cure. If you’ve ever played one, you know. The tone with a pick is so awesome, better than my P. Just has a warmth and fullness to it but doesn’t sound muddy or boomy.

It’s not that comfortable to play though. I’m too used to belly cuts and arm carves and that annoying pickup cover would be off within two minutes of owning one but the rest is so awesome. Looks and sound wise. Anywhere to get a decent deal on them used?
 
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#8
msb said:
The "S" version is a little easier on the arm , and the budget . I got used to the binding on my 4001 . I was a Pbass guy so at first It seemed different , and then felt like home as I got used to the different feel . Recently picked up an old set neck 4000 and now understand why some people think they're the best thing Rickenbacker ever put out .
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#10
mbell75 said:
Only played a 4003 years ago and briefly. Decided to play one again at Guitar Center yesterday. Big mistake, now I have GAS and $2250 is an expensive cure. If you’ve ever played one, you know. The tone with a pick is so awesome, better than my P. Just has a warmth and fullness to it but doesn’t sound muddy or boomy.

It’s not that comfortable to play though. I’m too used to belly cuts and arm carves and that annoying pickup cover would be off within two minutes of owning one but the rest is so awesome. Looks and sound wise. Anywhere to get a decent deal on them used?
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Check out www.wildwoodguitars.com they are a Rickenbacker Dealer and there pricing is the cheapest in the entire U.S.
 
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#13
I know the feeling, I played one in my local Guitar Center when I was in High School. The price was $800, but this shop was notorious for making deals. Some days, I still wonder what would have happened if I had the money.
 
#15
mbell75 said:
Only played a 4003 years ago and briefly. Decided to play one again at Guitar Center yesterday. Big mistake, now I have GAS and $2250 is an expensive cure. If you’ve ever played one, you know. The tone with a pick is so awesome, better than my P. Just has a warmth and fullness to it but doesn’t sound muddy or boomy.

It’s not that comfortable to play though. I’m too used to belly cuts and arm carves and that annoying pickup cover would be off within two minutes of owning one but the rest is so awesome. Looks and sound wise. Anywhere to get a decent deal on them used?
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Go to one of the online sellers and get a 4003s for $1400 … save yourself $800
 
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#16
pappabass said:
Why?? I guess you did not have your glasses on !!
They may sound good, but they did not put much thought in appearance!
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The appearance in general is what attracts me to them. The Laredos even more so. The bridge, goofy rear pick up ring & cover, and double action truss rod can go.

They do hold their used value well. Rickenbacker 4002 1978 Maple Glo - One of the Rarest of the Rare bass guitars!

Rickenbacker 4004 CII Cheyenne 2008 Translucent Red Flamed Maple/Walnut with Bubinga Fretboard
 
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#17
I just recently went through some major gas for a Rick. They had a used 4003 at the Guitar Center near me. I always loved the way they looked and this one played really nice. Good tone too with the new modern tone circuit. I was very close to pulling the trigger not in that one but a new 4003S walnut.

But....decided to go back and play it again. But this time A-B against a Fender Jazz (just a standard American passive model). Hands down in my opinion the Jazz just sounded so much better. It had way more to offer in tone range and fatter. So that pretty much deflated my gas. And to boot my new Bacchus Jazz bass with an Audere preamp just blows it out of the water.

Not putting down the Rick, I still have a soft spot for them.
 
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#19
ClassicJazz said:
I just recently went through some major gas for a Rick. They had a used 4003 at the Guitar Center near me. I always loved the way they looked and this one played really nice. Good tone too with the new modern tone circuit. I was very close to pulling the trigger not in that one but a new 4003S walnut.

But....decided to go back and play it again. But this time A-B against a Fender Jazz (just a standard American passive model). Hands down in my opinion the Jazz just sounded so much better. It had way more to offer in tone range and fatter. So that pretty much deflated my gas. And to boot my new Bacchus Jazz bass with an Audere preamp just blows it out of the water.

Not putting down the Rick, I still have a soft spot for them.
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I played it against my new P and J Player Series that I love but if price were no concern, I’d take the 4003 over either or both in a heartbeat.
 
#20
Yeah, 90% of the traditional gripes were addressed by the 4004, but apparently not enough people bought them, now they have gotten rare and expensive used. If you want it light and comfortable, get a 4003sW, I think the walnut versions of the bound and unbound models are about 1lb lighter than all maple basses. They have been having clearcoat issues on painted models, the oil-finish W models are a safer bet all around. Tone-wise, you can get close with a few basses, Peavey T-40, G&L L2k, but nothing really sounds like a Ric. That tone is worth the minor ergonomic aggravations to me, but not everybody.
 
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