[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1497428974' post='3317987']
Some really interesting and varied points of view coming through - cheers! Opinion seems to be a lot more divided than about Sandbergs, which has been my go-to 4 string for the past three years and which seem to get a lot more love on this forum. Clearly the CEO has got the back up of many folk but whether that is 'cos he is simply just doing his job or being an idiot, is I guess the point of debate.[/quote]
Yes - I think the man is aggressively protecting his brand against counterfeiters; kudos to him for doing it, I say.
I do think that the vintage 70s/80s 'fakers are interesting machines and I did one up as a project recently.
And from my side it's OK if it remains a cottage industry without impinging on the brand itself.
[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1497428974' post='3317987']
That's a very BIG statement in favour of Rics - please elaborate!
[/quote]
(IMHO, of course!)
The Ric has unique sound and look; I find that if I see a band with one, all I do is look at the Ric and listen for it.
A lot of other basses are very samey Fender-alikes; they may be made better than Fenders, but they are visually uninspiring.
There is no other bass which is so instantly recognisable.
I find I can pick up any other brand of bass and play it and think it was really good, but then I walk away and it's pretty much forgotten.
[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1497429215' post='3317990']
I do find them overpriced, but then overpriced is entirely related to what you want, and one mans overpriced is the next mans good deal - if it makes the sound you want and you can afford it, it is a good price.
[/quote]
They are priced similarly to other top-flight instruments, though there is a healthy mark-up in UK list prices.
The quality of the workmanship is really rather good and they do last well.