Why Rickenbackers are so expensive?

[gt96g]

I have to say I didn't get them for the longest time but I had the opportunity to demo an 85' 4001 at a local GC and the thing sounded incredible. It was beat to hell but that was part of its charm. The thing had this burpy obnoxious gritty tone and it was awesome. I have long been a fan of ebmm basses and to me a Rickenbacker sounds like the renegade bastard half brother of the stingray. I still think they are ugly as sin but the tone was so great if I ever came across one and was in the position to buy it I would not hesitate. I came back to the GC after trying the rick, needless to say it was gone.

As far as their cost, that is a relative term, I think the cost comes from the fact the company has to produce its own bridges and pickups, not to mention those retro pickup cover thingies. Their construction is also unusual and they are neck through designs and have an unusual scale length, 33.5" but all those things are what contribute to the tone. If they could make a bass that looked more conventional and sounded like a rick I would opt for that but if it's not a rick it won't sound like one.

 

[WokenDeer]

For a real bad case of Ric-induced GAS, search YouTube for "Tour of the Rickenbacker Factory". I've seen it twice and nearly bought one after each viewing... And I personally can't stand the way they play.

That made me appreciate my ric just a little more.

 

[deeptubes]

So that you don't feel guilty about sending back a flawed one, and the next flawed one, and the next flawed one, and the one they re-sent to you that you received the first time.

 

[WokenDeer]

Hey the magic doesn't find everybody.

 

[bassguitarthund]

Nope, Ric has always been a strictly made in USA company.

That is what I thought. Was not sure though. Thanks for answering my question

 

[darkstorm]

Name on the headstock as main thing for high price imo.

 

[hhirbe]

I guess it's a ric, right? It sounds and plays like a ric. If you don't like it, you don't like it. If you like it, you love it, just like any other bass out there. And if you love it, you love it, and you'll pay for it, just like any other...

 

[Gabriel51]

It is one of the few Basses I have not owned because ever since the first time I saw one in 1964 I thought it was fugly and still do, it looks like the ergonomics would kill your right forearm by about the second set.
Life is perception and the market dictates value irrespective of truth.
They are probably Ok, just not for me.

 

[Korladis]

It is one of the few Basses I have not owned because ever since the first time I saw one in 1964 I thought it was fugly and still do, it looks like the ergonomics would kill your right forearm by about the second set.
Life is perception and the market dictates value irrespective of truth.
They are probably Ok, just not for me.

I honestly have never understood that criticism, of the forearm thing. How hard do you guys dig your arms into the side of the bass when you play? It's never been a problem at all for me.

 

[cassius987]

 

[byoung]

I honestly have never understood that criticism, of the forearm thing. How hard do you guys dig your arms into the side of the bass when you play? It's never been a problem at all for me.

Seriously, it felt like I was going to end up sawing through the tendons in my arm. It's really, really terrible. I suppose it could have been alleviated by playing it lower, but I'm way too set in my ways for that.

 

[Gabriel51]

I honestly have never understood that criticism, of the forearm thing. How hard do you guys dig your arms into the side of the bass when you play? It's never been a problem at all for me.

Most Basses have a forearm relief for a reason and though I never played a Rick I have played others with a binding that creates a sharp edge and I quickly feel it.

 

[beefandbones]

Made in the USA in limited quantities by a family that values their product and their workers. When you buy a Rickenbacker, you not only purchase a boutique-quality instrument, you support Rickenbacker's business practices.

 

[WokenDeer]

I feel the most at home on my ric. I have a thunderbird that I think is the most uncomfortable thing. I love p basses but also find them uncomfortable. Maybe I just like weird ergonomics. I like how the pickups are set to where they don't get in my way. I can't stand putting my thumb on them. The little edge on the pickguard is perfect. I guess the saying is true. Either you love a ric or hate it. I personally think they are some of the most majestic looking basses. Different. But not weird. But a thing of their own.

 

[beefandbones]

Rickenbacker also goes out of their way to use sustainably farmed woods, sourced from American growers when possible, and uses (relatively) environmentally sensitive finishes on their instruments.

Rickenbacker is privately owned as well, as opposed to most other makers who need to report to a Board of Directors and are forced to use imported woods and/or pay foreign laborers to make their profits and make their shareholders happy.

 

[dannylectro]

I thought Rics were expensive because Bruce Foxton anointed each one personally...

 

[Korladis]

Seriously, it felt like I was going to end up sawing through the tendons in my arm. It's really, really terrible. I suppose it could have been alleviated by playing it lower, but I'm way too set in my ways for that.

Most Basses have a forearm relief for a reason and though I never played a Rick I have played others with a binding that creates a sharp edge and I quickly feel it.

Seriously, why do you jam your forearm against the body so hard? I just can't imagine putting enough pressure on my forearm when playing for it to be a problem.

I've been playing basses with binding for years, and have never had a problem like that. My Rickenbacker is my most comfortable bass to play.

One of my guitarists plays a Les Paul, which also has binding, and I've never seen him complain about the binding being "sharp," either.

Also, not all Rics have binding.

 

[Gabriel51]

Seriously, why do you jam your forearm against the body so hard? I just can't imagine putting enough pressure on my forearm when playing for it to be a problem.

I've been playing basses with binding for years, and have never had a problem like that. My Rickenbacker is my most comfortable bass to play.

One of my guitarists plays a Les Paul, which also has binding, and I've never seen him complain about the binding being "sharp," either.

Also, not all Rics have binding.

You don't really think someone that pays that much for a design is going to complain about the ergonomics, do you?
Hey, it's not an issue for me because I will probably never own one, if your happy it's all good.
Just to be clear, I don't "dig" my arm into the body and just guessing here, I've probably been playing longer than you have been alive and I have some idea about what works for me.
unsubscribed!

 

[Sketchy]

I do intend to get a ric at some point (when I have the cash) as it was the sound of a ric (The one on Spock's Beard's album V) that made me take up the bass, so I would pay that much for one (the one in my local shop is about £1200). In fact, I almost did buy it, but instead ordered a deluxe jazz 5 because I really want a bass with a low B, partly as a lot of stuff I'd like the option of using it on.

I've heard many complaints about the build quality, but I've not got my hands on one, so I can't comment on that, but I do love the sound.

 

[Wesley R]

That most Ric owners are fantics or addicts. I knew several, and the level of their devotion is unsurpassed. Evry Ric i ever played was a spectacular machine.

A close friend worked there and his meticulouse approach to life was diplayed in hius work.