Buying a Rickenbacker

[achknalligewelt]

I'm doing some freelance work, and by the time it's finished I should have saved up enough to get me the bass of my dreams - a Rick 4003, preferably in Jetglo, new or vintage, I don't care, as long as I can afford it. I have already cleared a corner of my dining room to show it off to guests in.

But I do wonder. Should I? I know I love the tone, I know I love the look and I know I love the guitars they make, But I have known several players in bands I enjoy start using them only to move on to something else quite quickly. Mike Mills, even. Are they, actually, any good? I have only played one once - it was red, had horribly dirty strings, I didn't have a pick and the owner stood over me the entire 90 seconds I held it. I really didn't like it, but I don't know if that was for all those other reasons, or if I actually don't like them.

Help me out here, before I waste £1500 on something I can't get on with and sell on within six months. I currently play a Jazz that I love, and my hands aren't big enough for a Precision. I don't like the look of the Stingray or the sound of a Burns Bison, and the Gibson EB-30 is just stupid. And all that custom uber-80's Warwick and Wal nonsense leaves me utterly cold.

What am I supposed to do? It's not like choosing a car or a house, this is [i]important.[/i]

Edited January 27, 2011 by achknalligewelt

[retroman]

As you have mentioned, you're a pick player, which is good, as Ric's can be awkward for finger style playing, thanks to the huge chrome surround at the bridge pickup.

I have a Jetglo 1980 4001, and I love it to bits. Ric's do feel a bit weird to play at first, thanks to the enormous bridge, and the string spacing being parrell all the way down the board. Another thing with Ric's, the outer two strings are very close to the edge of the board, so it is very easy to push the string over the edge, and bum a note. The neck on mine is very skinny, and it has a nice low action.

They are an acquired taste, and a bit of a marmite bass.......either love em, or hate em! Personally, I love them

I think you need to find somewhere that will let you have a decent go on one before you buy. If I haven't played mine in a while, at first it feels weird, but after I have settled back in with it again, I love playing it.

I think it fair to say that you would probably find it a lot easier to sell an old Fender, than an old Ric, but with all the Fender clones out there these days, a Ric will always stand out from the crowd

[mart]

Buy one second hand at a reasonable price and if you find that you don't get on with it, then you can sell it without too much of a financial loss. But it really does sound like you want one - so trust your instincts!

[simon1964]

They are brilliant basses if you get on with them, but as retroman says they are definately in the Marmite category!

If you like the tone, the question is really whether you can live with the ergonomics. The body shape and neck profile is quirky, and feels unfamiliar if you're used to Fenders. But the look, tone, and playability is like nothing else out there.

Edited January 27, 2011 by simon1964

[Mr. Foxen]

I've had a couple Ricks come through my hands for work recent;y. If you are looking second hand, try and slide a piece of paper under the back of the bridge, if it goes under, ask them to knock off the price of a new bridge. And go for a newer one I'd say, the build quality has improved, some of the old ones are pretty shonky, and have issues with the neck collapsing into the pocket (check for cracks around the join).

[KevB]

Get a half decent second hand one at a sensible price and should you decide it's not for you you are unlikely to make much of a loss on it on resale. Wouldn't buy a new one, overpriced for what they are. I got mine around 2001 or 2002 and paid about £800 for it, it was manufactured in 2000 and had never been gigged, immaculate condition (it has one or two minor road scars now). I thought i'd paid over the odds for it but now I expect If i waited until the market was right I would most of my money back after nearly 10 yrs of ownership. You'd be unlikely to get that on a car unless it was some vintage classic.

[Bassalot]

Indeed, buy a used one. I did so a year or so ago and haven't regretted it since. If it's not for you, you will get your money back by selling it. Go for it!

[spongebob]

I've owned 4 4003's over the years, so I do like them quite a bit!

However, they don't all play the same. They vary a lot in feel and neck shape (especially around the first fret).

Get one you like and you'll love it. Get one your 50/50 on, and it'll hit you every time you pick it up. Both in feel, and the £1500+ you've spent on it!

I have one now - a Jetglow 2009. It's by far the best I've played - but both pickups have needed a re-wire. I recently sold a 2010 which felt soooo different, I really couldn't get on with it.

Also, the QC. In my 4003 experience, this is extremely variable. As I mentioned, pickup problems in my bass. The 2010 had issues with the bridge saddles (there was something about this on Rickresource). As much as I love Rics, you'd have thought after 40+ years making the 4001/03 they'd be able to produce them properly by now!

Do your research (try Rickresource....but beware....very, very censored if you even mention anything anti-Ric), try as many as you can (easier said then done), and then part with the cash.

Or just stick with what you've got. I use mine now for recording, rehearsal and the odd gig. I use the Squier CV everywhere else. Got a bit fed up of protecting a (on today's prices) £1700+ bass from spilled pints.

But it is my pride and joy. I've found one that's a keeper for me.

Hope this helps!

Edited January 27, 2011 by spongebob

[simon1964]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='1105188' date='Jan 27 2011, 03:58 PM']...and have issues with the neck collapsing into the pocket[/quote]

Agree with your comments on the bridge, but I'm not sure what you mean by the neck collapsing into the pocket. Rics are through neck, so I don't follow?

Edited January 27, 2011 by simon1964

[Lozz196]

I`ve only ever playe a Rick once, and as a pick/Precision player, I loved it.

I wouldn`t buy one, as they are way beyond my means, and in a band situation, I`ll always want a Precision, so £1500+ for a home use bass isn`t gonna happen, but the playability, the sound, it was just great.

[Beer of the Bass]

[quote name='simon1964' post='1105315' date='Jan 27 2011, 05:43 PM']Agree with your comments on the bridge, but I'm not sure what you mean by the neck collapsing into the pocket. Rics are through neck, so I don't follow?[/quote]
There's a big, deep rout for the neck pickup which leaves a very small area of glue joint where the body wings meet the neck. The neck can flex forward as the glue joint creeps, and the action creeps up and up. I don't think it's fixable without major surgery. This happened to an Ibanez rick copy I used to have

[Cat Burrito]

I bought one and in the spirit of what the original post refers to sold it on inside 10 months. A great bass but I was too far down the line with Fender basses for it to be anything other than an occasional player. And I'm not the kind of person who can afford to have £1500's worth of bass just lying around. I know the recession has kicked in even more but it held it's value and I only lost about £120 selling it on. I used it on one track on my new album so at least I have the memories

[lojo]

If you can afford to tie the money up , then do it, but buy second hand

I always wanted a Ric, and I finally got one, which I sold on after a year, almost getting back what I paid

I miss it, but I loved the look of it more than I loved the feel of playing it, but Im glad I gave it a go

One day i may try again, and who knows I might suit me more then

[RhysP]

A Rickenbacker 4001 was the bass of my dreams too - until I actually owned a couple!
Never again.
The only reason I wish I still had them is how much I could get for them now (especially the checkerboard bound one with the horseshoe & toaster pickups).

You really need to spend a bit of time with a Rick to see if it agrees with you before splashing the cash for one IMO.

[GarethFlatlands]

No. Nicky Wire uses one. Nuff said.

[4000]

[quote name='achknalligewelt' post='1105154' date='Jan 27 2011, 03:20 PM']I'm doing some freelance work, and by the time it's finished I should have saved up enough to get me the bass of my dreams - a Rick 4003, preferably in Jetglo, new or vintage, I don't care, as long as I can afford it. I have already cleared a corner of my dining room to show it off to guests in.

But I do wonder. Should I? I know I love the tone, I know I love the look and I know I love the guitars they make, But I have known several players in bands I enjoy start using them only to move on to something else quite quickly. Mike Mills, even. Are they, actually, any good? I have only played one once - it was red, had horribly dirty strings, I didn't have a pick and the owner stood over me the entire 90 seconds I held it. I really didn't like it, but I don't know if that was for all those other reasons, or if I actually don't like them.

Help me out here, before I waste £1500 on something I can't get on with and sell on within six months. I currently play a Jazz that I love, and my hands aren't big enough for a Precision. I don't like the look of the Stingray or the sound of a Burns Bison, and the Gibson EB-30 is just stupid. And all that custom uber-80's Warwick and Wal nonsense leaves me utterly cold.

What am I supposed to do? It's not like choosing a car or a house, this is [i]important.[/i][/quote]

Try a few. As many as possible. They differ massively, despite what most people think. I'm soon to be on my 11th, and my main (and favourite ever) bass is a Ric (which I've had since '93 and will hopefully have 'til the day I die - see the relevant Gear Porn thread), but I've had (and played) some I haven't liked that much. Try as many as you can and then make up your own mind. No-one else can tell you what bass will work for you. Be aware that the trussrod adjustment on 4001 basses differs from that of 4003 basses (and virtually everything else), and be aware of the capacitor on the bridge pickup. If it helps, my 4001V63 sounded & felt different to my 2 earlier 4001CSs, which sounded & felt different to my 72, which sounded and felt different to my '76, etc etc. etc.....you get the picture. I wouldn't advocate buying without trying a few at the very least.

Edited January 27, 2011 by 4000

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='simon1964' post='1105315' date='Jan 27 2011, 05:43 PM']Agree with your comments on the bridge, but I'm not sure what you mean by the neck collapsing into the pocket. Rics are through neck, so I don't follow?[/quote]

As said, it is the neck pickup route, the thin body and the placing of the route don't give much strength there. I though that the neck pickup move in the 70s was due to this, giving some more wood about there, but now I've opened a current one, the route is in the same place, and just the scratchplate hole is moved. I don't know why.

[Soloshchenko]

Ricky GAS is a hard urge to kill. As someone else said, if you're a pick player you might be half way there. You possibly have a greater chance of getting on with Rick basses than fingerstyle players.

I find that as unbelievably cool as they look, they are a terrible design for us finger style bassists. I know Geddy played them brilliantly but the thought of woodshedding for 500 hours just to stop me resting my thumb somewhere close to the strings seems a big price to pay for having the best looking bass there is!

One possible route might be to get yourself a faker for a fraction of the cost, see how you get on and then if you like it, sell it for a real one, and if not your bag, get rid and you'll be over your GAS. You WILL be able to sell it, I find there is a big demand for good fakers. I'm actually talking from experience, I bought myself a beautiful CMI faker. The sound was awesome, the look was awesome, my band absolutely LOVED that bass but going back to my Jazz just felt so much more natural and I knew it had to go.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='KevB' post='1105225' date='Jan 27 2011, 04:31 PM']Get a half decent second hand one at a sensible price and should you decide it's not for you you are unlikely to make much of a loss on it on resale. Wouldn't buy a new one, overpriced for what they are. I got mine around 2001 or 2002 and paid about £800 for it, it was manufactured in 2000 and had never been gigged, immaculate condition (it has one or two minor road scars now). I thought i'd paid over the odds for it but now I expect If i waited until the market was right I would most of my money back after nearly 10 yrs of ownership. You'd be unlikely to get that on a car unless it was some vintage classic.[/quote]

I think that was a good price you paid as I tried a few when bought my 2002 Ray new from sound control and they were about £1200 on the ticket so even a good haggle would of been £1000 at best. As for the Rics I keep trying but let's leave it at there sometimes you have to live your own dreams!

[el borracho]

I would agree with the general concensus here. I bought my 4001 in the mid 80's. At the time it was my ultimate bass - loved the look and sound - still do. Never really got away with it though. I just didn't like playing it. Every few months it would come out of hibernation, new strings on, use for a couple of gigs then back in the case for six months. Gave it a fair shot though as I kept it for 20 years before selling it. The bit I particularly didn't like (as mentioned in the thread) was the shape of the neck behind the first fret.
I don't regret selling it but regularly see them for sale and have to stop myself buying them I wouldn't rule out trying another one at some point...
Best try for yourself!

[luckman67]

I waited 11 years to get my Ric 4003, this August I will have owned it for 13 years my favorite bass love it.

[slazman]

I can only just echo everyone else. A Ric was always my dream bass ... ever since I first saw Chris Squire play. So this year I had enough £ 'spare' to buy one - even persuaded my Wife it was the right thing to do and took her along when I bought it!

The result, several months and a few gigs on is I am still undecided. It has a great tone and playability but I am not 100% comfortable playing it. I do finger style and a previous owner had fitted a white mount next to the neck under the strings (very subtle I assure you) where my thumb goes ... otherwise it would not have worked for me.

So I am thinking about parting with it. Been there done it and it had to happen one day. Will loose a little on a sale but if I do it will be in the knowledge I have owned one and made a dream a reality.

Now is a great time to buy a pre-loved Ric ... if you want one, they are great value as the market has dropped quite a bit.

Edited January 27, 2011 by slazman

[3below]

Bought mine s/h in 1980 or thereabouts , blue 4001, 1977 build. Used it 3 ~ 4 times a week for 10 years in 3+ hours folk gigs ( and rock & blues jobbies). Indestructible at the time, super neck, real nice shape for my (small) hands, well finished, nicely made, great tone. Over the years it was ultra reliable, stayed in tune and suffered minimal fretwear with RS66 roundwounds. Later big issues: paint sinkage, you could really see the neck / body laminations, sh*te bridge saddles (extortionate to replace at the time so I did not) and eventually body binding coming off, finally split glue joints in body laminations. As I got older and lardier the uber cool sharp body binding and lack of body contouring became irritating - Ric 4000 is the answer.

Despite these issues a great player. I (or at least I think I do) remember a Phil Lynott quote about how a Precision plays you and a you play a Ric. At the time I felt his words were so very true having done both in the late 70s and 80s.

Later in 1990 ish I swapped this for an 85 G&L SB1, ok I lost a small amount of money on this one, however since then I have a bass that is still 100%, no bits coming apart and I can do all the tones I need. On balance I have had the G&L for 21 years or so - my longest keeper and it stays with me until the day that I die.

My summary - Ric, a great bass, BUT, try it, "They are an acquired taste", try it with your kit, try it with your gigs, how will it work with your amp / cab etc etc. Condition is everything, and, why are they the price they are? - once the construction etc was something, nowadays through necks are run of the mill. S/H is obvious, new is insane.

Would like to try one wih TI flats

Edited January 27, 2011 by 3below

[jonsmith]

I have six Rickenbackers in various guises, built between 1975 and 2007. All are different, all have their idiosyncracies, but I like them all in some way. Two of them (my 4003FG and 4001CS) truly are an absolute joy to play and I suspect the DCM would be great too, but it just doesn't get out the house very often as I'm worried about damaging it. I love the fact that the strings are parallel - in fact it irritates me that they're not on many other basses.

I'd agree with what other posters have said though: make sure you can try before you buy, especially as - despite it being your dream bass - your sole experience with one wasn't a great one. If the neck of one puts you off, try another. With so many variations in neck widths & shapes over the years, there is a chance that there is one out there somewhere that would suit you. If you don't like the binding on the body (some find it uncomfortable), get an 's' model. If you don't like the pickup cover, take it off.

[4000]

[quote name='jonsmith' post='1105619' date='Jan 27 2011, 09:42 PM']I love the fact that the strings are parallel - in fact it irritates me that they're not on many other basses.[/quote]

+1. Hence my Rim build being as it is, and also the reason why I like the majority of Alembics. To me it feels so much more natural.