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Why Rickenbacker?

#101
Koshchei said:
The clank is more a function of poor technique and relatively little neck relief, I think; more of an effect than a timbral characteristic.
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Clank may be a result of technique, but it’s not “poor” technique when it’s the sound you’re going for.

Of course, if you’re right, then we need to realize that Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, and a few thousand other bassists we used to think were good actually suck.
 
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#102
steve_ss said:
All of the above, plus... I like the Rickenbacker scale length. The shorter 33 1/4" length neck of the 4003 makes it easier for my short fingers to span four frets. Ric has a few 30" short scale basses to add to the mix too. Just like potato chips, you can't have just one...

View attachment 5269568
4003, 4005XC, 4030, 3000, 4003 fretless
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Looks like a hospital creche, with their heads on little pillows.
 
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#105
micguy said:
Clank may be a result of technique, but it’s not “poor” technique when it’s the sound you’re going for.

Of course, if you’re right, then we need to realize that Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, and a few thousand other bassists we used to think were good actually suck.
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As I said, it's kind of an effect rather than a timbral characteristic of a Rickenbacker. If you can't control it, then it's poor technique.

A timbral characteristic of a Rickenbacker (at least with round-wounds) is a really growly piano-like tone.
 
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#108
TeeSee said:
Ain't one mate as far as I'm aware, t'was the US that bought soul to this cold corner of Europe, apart from the fact that Soul in the day in the States was seen as barely tolerated in the 60's and marginal at best. UK took their artists and spat 'em back to you guys where Motown was formed. Soul imported into the UK was recoined 'Northern Soul' as many of the clubs that played american soul were based in the North of England (Stoke, Wigan etc) and there were all nighters of amphetamine fuiled dancers bringing it home well before Hiphop break dancers.
Rick James came later in popular music, when you guys really appreciated your homegrown talent.
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Tom Jones comes close in my book. Hope you're enjoying some good ale over there. I'd have to go all the way to Boston to enjoy anything pulled off a cask. Cheers.
 
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#109
prowla said:
ric - 8 Rics in garden - 201017ad_kindlephoto-754648921.jpg
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Brutal.

No blindfold.

Were they at least given a final cigarette?
 

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#113
tb-player said:
In the last 10 years, my bass tone/style preferences have changed significantly. I used to be a 'jazz bass only' kind of fella. And while I still like a good jazz (usually active), I am head over heels for well-made precision basses with the wide flat neck (stay tuned... I found a REALLY good one this week with a Black Friday deal). Because my tastes have been changing, I've been looking at brands I am unfamiliar with.

The one brand I've never checked out is Rickenbacker. I read through the Rickenbacker club thread.. Some of the discussion gets pretty deep in the weeds (in a good way). So for those of you who love them, what's the deal? Why are they so special?

And do I need this in my arsenal? (Sweetwater & GC don't even have prices listed. I'm a little scared!)

View attachment 5269345
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Well...
Far as I'm concerned, there are really only two reasons to own a Rickenbacker;
1. You like the way they sound, and
2. Their ergonomics don't bother you.
In my case, I learned to play bass on one - a friend's lefty '68 4001 - in 1968, and I've always liked the way they sound. Well, with their factory Maxima Flats, anyway.... And, that old 4001's ergonomics not only didn't bother me - it fit me like a surgeon's rubber glove. They still do, and I still like the tone - with the right flats. Which is probably why I have 3 of them...
As for Sweetwater and GC not posting the price of a Rick? With some dealers, Rickenbacker simply won't let them. Why? I don't think anybody who would really know, has ever said. Lots of speculatin' about it, though...:whistle:
 
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#114
tb-player said:
In the last 10 years, my bass tone/style preferences have changed significantly. I used to be a 'jazz bass only' kind of fella. And while I still like a good jazz (usually active), I am head over heels for well-made precision basses with the wide flat neck (stay tuned... I found a REALLY good one this week with a Black Friday deal). Because my tastes have been changing, I've been looking at brands I am unfamiliar with.

The one brand I've never checked out is Rickenbacker. I read through the Rickenbacker club thread.. Some of the discussion gets pretty deep in the weeds (in a good way). So for those of you who love them, what's the deal? Why are they so special?

And do I need this in my arsenal? (Sweetwater & GC don't even have prices listed. I'm a little scared!)

View attachment 5269345
Click to expand...

I’m not going to read through six pages of responses. I’ll just say that, for me, I like the relative lack of taper on the neck (pretty much the opposite of a Jazz), and the slightly tighter string spacing. Rics are notorious for their ergonomics—either you love them or you hate them. Some people just cannot get comfortable on them. I’m just the opposite, I find them more comfy than my Precision. Anyone contemplating a Ric should definitely try one first, preferably over the course of several days or more if possible, and see how they get along.
 
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#117
I've been playing a Ric 4001 (with a few mods) for over 40 years and I can seriously say that I might not be playing bass or playing it as well if not for the Ric. I played a '69 P bass for about 10 years and I wanted more tonal flexibility than it provided. I also wanted something that fit me better - - and the Ric was the answer. The Ric's unique sound which combines really good LF performance as well as a highly intelligible crunch made me play in more interesting ways and develop my sound. My Ric is one of the instruments that will never be sold - - my grandsons will get it after I'm gone.
 
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#118
I owned a Rickenbacker 4003 for a while. Despite its appealing appearance, it turned out to be the noisiest bass I have ever owned, and the bridge didn't allow me to palm mute. To my understanding, the pickups are wired in a specific manner to achieve its distinctive voice, with the noise being an unavoidable consequence of that design. However, I'm open to correction from experts if I'm mistaken.

I wouldn't buy another Rick due to the reasons mentioned above.
 
#119
Been a big fan of them for many years. Won’t list all the reasons but will say they look and sound great.

They have price rules and part of that is dealers can’t advertise sale prices lower than MSRP. That’s the least of your concerns though because most dealers don’t have any in stock and if you want one new, best you can do is get on a waiting list or do a preorder. They’re around $2k give or take when you buy one less than MSRP.

I’m about to put a couple 4003S’s from my collection up for sale, both like-new ‘23’s - one Fireglo and one Jetglo (aka black). You can PM me if you’re interested. The 4003S model has better ergonomics than the 4003 and a simpler model in terms of aesthetics and output jack.
 
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