Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

On Lou Barlow's (Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, etc) website, he discusses his (stolen) 1973 4001, and why he hasn't replaced it with another Ric.

What he says is quite surprising.

Incidentally in the picture I saw, his 4001 looks very modified. I know he said when it was stolen it was in poor condition, but the pickguard looked very close to the edge of the bass!

This being based on a link to another forum, which is against the house rules here, will likely get this thread deleted. Besides, I'm not sure what's interesting about Lou's post--so he doesn't think Rics are all that great. I can find you half a dozen people who think that in less than five minutes!

Joshua is right. I had to edit Bob's post.
Due to incidents in past when inflammatory arguments due to links to other forums happened here, links to other forums are against RRF rules.
Iain, I hope we have your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Thanks.

If Lou Barlow doesn't like Ricks, he doesn't like Ricks. Oh well. The basses he plays now aren't my favorites.

Oops!

Really sorry about that - didn't realise I couldn't link.

cassius987 wrote:This being based on a link to another forum, which is against the house rules here, will likely get this thread deleted. Besides, I'm not sure what's interesting about Lou's post--so he doesn't think Rics are all that great. I can find you half a dozen people who think that in less than five minutes!

I found it interesting, as Lou's role in Dino closely identified him with a Ric for such a time. Having changed over, he struggled to say anything good about it, and seems not interested in another.

Surprised he played one for so long, that's all.

I guess it's partly an issue of me not really knowing who this guy is--but really I'm just not concerned with people who talk about whether they like Rics or not on public fora, so I guess I'm probably not going to be very good at contributing to this topic. I mean, frankly I don't miss Geddy Lee as a "Ric bassist" either and I just wish the topic of "Will he pick a Ric up again?" would die. It's not important, and it's not even correct, because it suggests that his assessment and use of Rics should somehow affect ours. I totally disagree with that.

Anyways, I don't mean to stomp on your thread--if other Dinosaur Jr. fans come along to discuss I hope they will. I think I just automatically reacted to the notion that what this guy had to say was even important, any more so than the countless folks on TalkBass arguing about whether Gibson T-Birds have neck dive, if the Ric 4000-series tailpiece is "okay" or "downright awful", whether Rondo basses are as good as Fenders or not. It just seems like one big meaningless argument to me because it always breaks down to personal experiences that can't be reproduced...

I agree with you Joshua, well done.

What a funny thread First chuckle of the day !

I agree with you also, Joshua. But unfortunately words from players like Lou can leave a negative impression about Ricks on younger, inexperienced players.

cassius987 wrote: It's not important, and it's not even correct, because it suggests that his [Geddy's] assessment and use of Rics should somehow affect ours. I totally disagree with that.

I disagree with that because Geddy Lee was the reason I wanted a Ric (I'm certain I'm not the only one), and I bought my first one in 1997 which was well after he went through his "Ric phase." Even though he's used Fender, Steinberger and Wal basses throughout his career, he will always, like it or not, be associated with Rickenbacker. You have to give the guy credit (along with McCartney, Squire, etc.) for bringing A LOT of people to Rickenbacker. Whether or not he picks one up again is of no consequence, but you can't discredit the influence he's had on folks' perception of Ric basses just by being associated with them.

he hasn't replaced his '73 cause a '73 is irreplaceable !

cassius987 wrote:I guess it's partly an issue of me not really knowing who this guy is--but really I'm just not concerned with people who talk about whether they like Rics or not on public fora, so I guess I'm probably not going to be very good at contributing to this topic. I mean, frankly I don't miss Geddy Lee as a "Ric bassist" either and I just wish the topic of "Will he pick a Ric up again?" would die. It's not important, and it's not even correct, because it suggests that his assessment and use of Rics should somehow affect ours. I totally disagree with that.

Anyways, I don't mean to stomp on your thread--if other Dinosaur Jr. fans come along to discuss I hope they will. I think I just automatically reacted to the notion that what this guy had to say was even important, any more so than the countless folks on TalkBass arguing about whether Gibson T-Birds have neck dive, if the Ric 4000-series tailpiece is "okay" or "downright awful", whether Rondo basses are as good as Fenders or not. It just seems like one big meaningless argument to me because it always breaks down to personal experiences that can't be reproduced...

I frankly do miss Geddy as a Ric bassist ....I think some of his best work was with his Ric....and he DID use it on the last tour for the fans.....and lets face it when you see a Jetglo Ric what first comes to mind (Geddy) so a BIG +1 to John he was my Influnce as well..............John Wagoner

Iain,

Can you possibly PM the link to me - I can't find it on Lou's site.

Thanks in advance.

PM'd.

haw wrote:Iain,

Can you possibly PM the link to me - I can't find it on Lou's site.

Thanks in advance.

me too?1?

Guys, I don't think it's against the rules to at least post what he wrote here. It's bringing on some interesting discussion.