Why do you play a Rickenbacker?

[lfmn16]

I did a search and found that the last thread like this was over 8 years old (unless I missed one). Therefore I don't think it's redundant to ask this question again.

I know that this request is probably in vein, but if you DON'T play a Rickenbacker or don't like Rickenbackers, please move on the next thread. I'd like to hear stories about why people play them and/or are attracted to them, not why people DON'T play them.

I'll start. I played an early '70's Ric back in 1976. It was my first really good bass and was black with a checkered binding. I liked it because the neck was thin and fast and it really cut through in a heavy rock band. I foolishly sold it about 20 years ago. I bought a new one a year or two ago, but didn't care for it so I sold it - the neck was too fat and it had a very woody sound. I recently bought a 1981 4003 and 1997 4001v63. When I plugged them in and played them on the bridge pickup I realize that THAT was the sound I've been looking for for the last several years. A Rickenbacker through an SVT with an 8X10 just sounds right to my ears.

 

[depalm]

'cause it's a classic.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

I had always wanted one after seeing/playing on a friends 4001 back in 1987/88. Had to wait till 1998 to get my 4003 & to this day I still love the shape and sound of the Rickenbacker bass.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

I'll chime in early and be brief;

Deep Purple Highway Star - Recorded December 1971 Montreux, Switzerland. Released March 1972



Deep Purple - Highway Star (Isolated Bass)

 

[lfmn16]

I'll chime in early and be brief;

Deep Purple Highway Star - Recorded December 1971 Montreux, Switzerland. Released March 1972



Deep Purple - Highway Star (Isolated Bass)

Now that's bass playing! Although I'm sure he would be issued a ticket by the root/5th police.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Because I bought this album when I was 13 and saw that pic of Roger Glover. Coolest thing in the world, I thought.

Finally decided to learn to play bass at 49, and bought an '09 4003 in December of 2009. Love it, my band mates love the way it cuts through, I'm sort of a neighborhood cult hero or something. They are a small company, perhaps they only make up 5% of all the basses out there? Maybe even less.

 

[lfmn16]

Because I bought this album when I was 13 and saw that pic of Roger Glover. Coolest thing in the world, I thought.
View attachment 520258


Finally decided to learn to play bass at 49, and bought an '09 4003 in December of 2009. Love it, my band mates love the way it cuts through, I'm sort of a neighborhood cult hero or something. They are a small company, perhaps they only make up 5% of all the basses out there? Maybe even less.

They figured out that it's better to be everything to a few than a little to everybody. I admire a company that can say, "This is what we do, if you don't like it, feel free to shop elsewhere."

 

[Bassist4Eris]

My Ric is:

The second bass I ever purchased.
The first "nice" bass I ever owned.
My current go-to for rock.

I originally bought it (as a teen) because of some of the famous users: Lemmy, Kira, Cliff Burton, etc. I played it for about two months and then went back to my first bass. I spent about 20 years trying to like that bass. I recently switched from DR Sunbeams to Rotosound Jazz flats on it. Then I brought it to a rehearsal one day when my P-bass was in the shop. For some reason, that bass finally clicked with me. I fell in love after all of those years, and I haven't been able to put it down since. The neck is so slim it feels effortless to play, and the stiff Rotos allow me to really dig in on the 16th notes without rattling. The tone really cuts, too. Plus, it looks completely badass:

 

[D Bopp]

Rubber Soul, Revolver, and Sgt Peppers.

 

[Shadoof]

Image, mostly. I got mine when I was young and it was just the coolest looking instrument I'd ever seen. It always turns heads so I make sure to bring it out every now and then so the bandmates can drool over it. The niche sound does fit perfectly in certain situations, but a lot of times when I play it with a band I end up using an EQ. EHX Knockout does a great job of giving it a more modern sound.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

My 'beater' 4001CS is in the Show me your beater bass thread. I'm off to play it, right now.

 

[Unemploid]

i don't play one, but it's a cool looking bass. i think they would be less popular today if store carried more cool look basses.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I only play through a GK800RB, plug a 4003 into that and the tone you have is literally balls to the wall and that is why I play rickenbackers and since my first one in 2011 I have always had one in the stable.

 

[leegreenman]

My 4003w looks, plays, and sounds great. Despite its reputation, it is also capable of a large range of sounds.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Nothing compares to a Rickenbacker. Nuthin'.

I've owned two of 'em; each a model 4001 in Jetglo. This was before the 4003 was ever introduced, some 35 years ago. I was attracted to the whole package: the crisp, bright, chimey tone; the super-fast action; the ultra-sleek neck-through design; and of course the oh-so-hip visual appeal. A very sexy beast indeed.

Once I realized what Paul McCartney and Chris Squire could do with one, I was hooked: Two different sounds, about as distinct from each other as could be, and yet they both worked marvelously. After that, of course, I quickly got hip to Michael Rutherford, Greg Lake, Geddy Lee, Jon Camp, Roger Glover, Mike Mills, et al.

If I were to go there again, I'd definitely get a 4003, so I could have the bypass switch for the .0047Uf capacitor - a sound I've never actually experienced, but would love to hear. I think something in a Ruby Red is beckoning to me.

MM

 

[bobalu]

I love the thick, uniform neck width (2011 4003). Its just so comfortable to play. I was so tired of all the skinny necks, and the taper from narrow to really wide as you move up the neck. It's the only bass I own, except for an American Deluxe P-bass, where my hand doesn't cramp up after playing.

 

[kevteop]

I think if I played more with a pick I would think about getting a 4003. I don't do that often enough to justify it though.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

Some of my favorite reasons why;

Rickenbackers' take the cake!

 

[bhunt1]

I'm another I heard Machine Head (Highway Star in particular) and wanted a Ric guy. I got a '76 4001 in the early 80s and played it in a cover band. I eventually decided I liked thicker necks and bassier tones so I sold it. I recently got a 2014 4003 and I love it. To me it's an upgrade from the 4001 - fatter neck and fatter tone. Just took it to my first band rehearsal over the weekend - it definitely cuts through and has that distinctive tone. To me Ric = distinctive Ric tone - if you play one that's why, you want that tone.

 

[Spectrum]

Why do I play a Ric?

...I don't understand the question...

It's kind of like asking why do I like looking at pretty girls, or asking a tiger why he decided to grow stripes....

Seriously, though, when I was growing up listening to Rush and Yes, and later on Tool, I had to have whatever was making that sound. When I got my 4003 it didn't take me long to get used to the neck, and I liked the no-neck dive balance, too. And that sound, that SOUND. Even clean it sounds awesome. And unlike some basses, Rics also sound great with some dirt.

The good looks are a bonus, but a very big bonus. When you are on a public stage with a Ric you attract a lot of attention, so it's incentive to not screw up.