I am having a friendly argument on a Rush forum. One of the members want's to buy a Mapleglo 4003 and i'm trying to convince her to go for it.
But, there are a few posters who are trying to talk her out of it.
Here is what one of them posted, How do i respond?
"It's been over ten years since I played a rick-- my '89 4001. I don't know anything about the 4003. So the only reference I have on the tone is my faulty memory and the sounds I hear from other players that use them. And from those sources it strikes me as being limited in the sense that a Rick sounds like a Rick and not like a Precision or Music Man, which is part of their appeal.
That's not saying that they sound bad, but from my recollection it seemed like I was happy playing Rush tunes from the Rickenbacker era, but any thing else was a rather vague approximation of the tone I was trying to recreate, so it was a little frustrating. Perhaps it was my choice of amp at the time.
But, still if you are looking for broad tonal versatility I don't look to Ricks as being my first choice. That coupled with the expense of the Rick could make it a rather dissapointing investment for someone that won't have a lot of options if they plunk down a wad on it. So when someone asks my opinion on what I would buy I'm not going to have a lot of good reasons to steer them to a Rick unless they are collectors".
How do i respond to this post
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ghs_boomer
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That's nuts. More specifically, that's the old wives tale about Rics: they're not versatile.
Saturday night, I'm going to play a gig. 50+ songs. I'm going to do Pbass songs, jazzy stuff, urb tones, slap, and, of course, I'm going to go into full patented Ric FREIGHT TRAIN mode. I'm going to do all of those things with a Ric.
To boot, my last band was a Rush tribute band. We did By Tor, Big Money, Earthshine, The Enemy Within, all with a Ric.
The idea that a Ric is not versatile is an old, wheezing wive's tale that is flat out wrong.
Saturday night, I'm going to play a gig. 50+ songs. I'm going to do Pbass songs, jazzy stuff, urb tones, slap, and, of course, I'm going to go into full patented Ric FREIGHT TRAIN mode. I'm going to do all of those things with a Ric.
To boot, my last band was a Rush tribute band. We did By Tor, Big Money, Earthshine, The Enemy Within, all with a Ric.
The idea that a Ric is not versatile is an old, wheezing wive's tale that is flat out wrong.
"If you think you can or if you think you cannot - either way you are right." Henry Ford.
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atomic_punk
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Well, first of all, he didn't have an '89 4001, that's for sure....
Secondly, Rics are a lot more versatile than he gives them credit for, not to mention their quality control is a lot better than any Fender or Music Man product, maybe he just used it for the "clank" sound and didn't really try to get the other sounds...not to mention a Music Man is almost as much (if not more) than a new 4003.
Secondly, Rics are a lot more versatile than he gives them credit for, not to mention their quality control is a lot better than any Fender or Music Man product, maybe he just used it for the "clank" sound and didn't really try to get the other sounds...not to mention a Music Man is almost as much (if not more) than a new 4003.
"They make great f***'n basses". - Lemmy, NAMM 2009
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ken_swearingen
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sabbath_of_bass
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Haha. I realize now more then I did at 1st the different sounds you can get out a ric. All kind of sound like a ric. But all different from one another. I wouldnt go as far as saying a ric can sound just like a Pbass. But In no way is a Pbass ever going to sound like a ric. Then again I dont know what all a ric can do because you guys have fooled around with them... ALOT more then I have. You guys are the reason I started missing with my amp settings more and more. Haha. That guy probly never did much more then plug it in. Tell him he should go get one of those Line 6 Variax basses. Those things make me laugh. I havent actually touched one. But just the thought of it makes me sick.
VERY IMPORTANT POINTS TO MAKE IN YOUR REPLY:
1) There were no 4001 basses in 1989. They were all 4003 basses, which means that they'd sound very similar to, if not exactly the same as 4003 basses today. Well, actually, there were 4001 basses . . . they were v63 basses though, and if this person didn't like his/her v63, then I'll gladly take it right now.
2) The 4003 is INCREDIBLY versatile. Anyone who says otherwise has never owned a Ric or did but sold it instantly without trying very hard to vary the tone. Either that or they have ingrained prejudice against Rics. You can do all manner of things to make it sound like anything, the least of which is messing with the tone and volume knobs and your amp settings. Pretty much EVERY type of string I have used sounds different on a Ric, so if I really need a major change, I just buy different strings. ALSO, I've found that if you take a Ric and plug it into an amp with a 10' speaker, you get a very different sound than the same ric plugged through the same amp, with the same settings, except it has a 15' speaker. It's SO EASY to vary the sound of a Ric it's not even funny. When I had my cheapo P-bass, I could really only get two sounds out of it (three if I used a mid-scoop button on the amp), with both of the amps I owned, no matter what reasonable setting I used (no turning the bass all the way down and the treble all the way up and whatnot . . .). The sounds I got from the P-bass were awesome, no doubt, and they probably would've worked in most any musical context, but alas, there were still only 2 of them. The only thing more versatile than a Ric, in my opinion, is a J-bass. And if you REALLY want a "limited sound" bass, by all means go for a Stingray. It sounds gorgeous, but that's really all it does: Stingray. Obviously, I haven't owned one, so I have not had the chance to really mess around with it, but I was considering buying one at one point, so I have played them quite a bit.
3) Considering that Geddy uses his J-bass to APPROXIMATE HIS RIC, any Rush tune that can be played on a J-bass will sound, at the least, very good on a Ric. Even more so if it's a 4003. I can also get a very EMG-ish sound from my 4003 by futzing with the pickup tone and volume knobs and moving my hand position, so I've got the Steinberger covered as well. The only thing that a Ric would NOT be able to do would be the Wal. If anyone has had experience otherwise, please tell me, so that I may learn how to achieve that gorgeous sound that is a Wal bass.
4) People keep telling me I should beware that one day my Ric will just fall apart because of ****** construction hidden under a fancy exterior. Until that day (which will never come), I refuse to believe that the instrument that I own was built poorly. It takes any string, stays in tune remarkably well, and has adapted perfectly to the climate change between Savannah, Georgia (hot, rainy, humid) and Oberlin, Ohio (fluctuation like nobody's business). ZERO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. And I play it A LOT. If it's got problems, it's obviously saving them for later, because I haven't seen any.
There are three reasons NOT to buy a Ric:
1)You're stupid
2)You can't afford it (which is okay, I don't blame you)
3)You don't like how they look (I don't understand why not, but that's okay too)
I think this person needs to buy a Ric.
1) There were no 4001 basses in 1989. They were all 4003 basses, which means that they'd sound very similar to, if not exactly the same as 4003 basses today. Well, actually, there were 4001 basses . . . they were v63 basses though, and if this person didn't like his/her v63, then I'll gladly take it right now.
2) The 4003 is INCREDIBLY versatile. Anyone who says otherwise has never owned a Ric or did but sold it instantly without trying very hard to vary the tone. Either that or they have ingrained prejudice against Rics. You can do all manner of things to make it sound like anything, the least of which is messing with the tone and volume knobs and your amp settings. Pretty much EVERY type of string I have used sounds different on a Ric, so if I really need a major change, I just buy different strings. ALSO, I've found that if you take a Ric and plug it into an amp with a 10' speaker, you get a very different sound than the same ric plugged through the same amp, with the same settings, except it has a 15' speaker. It's SO EASY to vary the sound of a Ric it's not even funny. When I had my cheapo P-bass, I could really only get two sounds out of it (three if I used a mid-scoop button on the amp), with both of the amps I owned, no matter what reasonable setting I used (no turning the bass all the way down and the treble all the way up and whatnot . . .). The sounds I got from the P-bass were awesome, no doubt, and they probably would've worked in most any musical context, but alas, there were still only 2 of them. The only thing more versatile than a Ric, in my opinion, is a J-bass. And if you REALLY want a "limited sound" bass, by all means go for a Stingray. It sounds gorgeous, but that's really all it does: Stingray. Obviously, I haven't owned one, so I have not had the chance to really mess around with it, but I was considering buying one at one point, so I have played them quite a bit.
3) Considering that Geddy uses his J-bass to APPROXIMATE HIS RIC, any Rush tune that can be played on a J-bass will sound, at the least, very good on a Ric. Even more so if it's a 4003. I can also get a very EMG-ish sound from my 4003 by futzing with the pickup tone and volume knobs and moving my hand position, so I've got the Steinberger covered as well. The only thing that a Ric would NOT be able to do would be the Wal. If anyone has had experience otherwise, please tell me, so that I may learn how to achieve that gorgeous sound that is a Wal bass.
4) People keep telling me I should beware that one day my Ric will just fall apart because of ****** construction hidden under a fancy exterior. Until that day (which will never come), I refuse to believe that the instrument that I own was built poorly. It takes any string, stays in tune remarkably well, and has adapted perfectly to the climate change between Savannah, Georgia (hot, rainy, humid) and Oberlin, Ohio (fluctuation like nobody's business). ZERO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. And I play it A LOT. If it's got problems, it's obviously saving them for later, because I haven't seen any.
There are three reasons NOT to buy a Ric:
1)You're stupid
2)You can't afford it (which is okay, I don't blame you)
3)You don't like how they look (I don't understand why not, but that's okay too)
I think this person needs to buy a Ric.
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thinneckrick
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thinneckrick
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incubus2432
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I wouldn't try to "convince" her to get it (since Rics aren't for everyone) but I would encourage her to try one out before she makes a decision on anything. Also point out that the resale on Rics is very strong in case she gets one and decides down the road to move to something else.
I think the comments on versatility mentioned above are dead on but in addition I would like to add.....who cares if it can sound like a p-bass, jazz bass or stingray? Get a Ric because it sounds like a Ric and has great playability. I want my Rics to sound the way they do, not like anything else, and that is the tone I want for everything I play. Great tone is great tone period.
I think the comments on versatility mentioned above are dead on but in addition I would like to add.....who cares if it can sound like a p-bass, jazz bass or stingray? Get a Ric because it sounds like a Ric and has great playability. I want my Rics to sound the way they do, not like anything else, and that is the tone I want for everything I play. Great tone is great tone period.
I'm the guy talking about the Geddy mods on there... hehe.
I think she should go for the 4003.
My 4001 sounds great. I can get it close to geddy's J sound, but I'm lacking some low end.. it's prolly just my amp though.
I think she should go for the 4003.
My 4001 sounds great. I can get it close to geddy's J sound, but I'm lacking some low end.. it's prolly just my amp though.
1976 Rickenbacker 4001
2011/05 Fender Standard Fretless Jazz Bass
2005/11 Fender Standard Jazz Bass
2011/05 Fender Standard Fretless Jazz Bass
2005/11 Fender Standard Jazz Bass
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bob_atherton
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Jeff, Know what you mean. Over the past year I have sold my Fender J, Fender P and my MM stingray. Not one single regret.
I also felt that after over 30 years of playing bass it was about time that I worked on MY sound! The RIC does that in spades, and it isn't a Geddy or Squire sound, it's mine.
I love the feel of the early and mid 70's necks, really like the slightly shorter scale as I have small hands. I think the variety of tones that I can get out of my three favorite RICs is much more than enough. My band is jazzy, funky, world and trance.
The only slightly sad thing about this is that for the past 20 years my holy grail was a 1962 Fender Jazz. Unless I found one for really silly low money I would let it go now.
I also felt that after over 30 years of playing bass it was about time that I worked on MY sound! The RIC does that in spades, and it isn't a Geddy or Squire sound, it's mine.
I love the feel of the early and mid 70's necks, really like the slightly shorter scale as I have small hands. I think the variety of tones that I can get out of my three favorite RICs is much more than enough. My band is jazzy, funky, world and trance.
The only slightly sad thing about this is that for the past 20 years my holy grail was a 1962 Fender Jazz. Unless I found one for really silly low money I would let it go now.
Henny, true that Ricks are no Fenders. But the converse is true.
And while it had flats on it, my 75 4001 could out p-bass a p-bass any day of the week, as well as growl like a Rick (certainly NOT the same growl as having rounds on it does). Did it sound like my J bass? Not really. But my J doesn't generally sound like much of anything but itself. With both pu's on, and tones about 1/2 way, I guess you could make a case that they have some similar tonal character, but with one PU of the other dominating, the J (even with the new SD STK-2's) will sound pretty unique to me.
I've never owned a p-bass, and someday I'd like to have one. I've played them enough to know: a great P is a great bass; with rounds some can growl like a Rick; with flats you'll get that Motown thud...but don't tell me that one PU, with volume and tone is more "versatile" than any bass that has separate volume and tone controls on 2 PU's...
Unless it's an active bass, then you're talking oranges and apples.
People who call Ricks "one sound basses" are ignorant. Someone saying they had an 89 4001 is even more ignorant. But there are people who don't like Ricks for valid reasons; the "one sound" argument is not one of them.
And while it had flats on it, my 75 4001 could out p-bass a p-bass any day of the week, as well as growl like a Rick (certainly NOT the same growl as having rounds on it does). Did it sound like my J bass? Not really. But my J doesn't generally sound like much of anything but itself. With both pu's on, and tones about 1/2 way, I guess you could make a case that they have some similar tonal character, but with one PU of the other dominating, the J (even with the new SD STK-2's) will sound pretty unique to me.
I've never owned a p-bass, and someday I'd like to have one. I've played them enough to know: a great P is a great bass; with rounds some can growl like a Rick; with flats you'll get that Motown thud...but don't tell me that one PU, with volume and tone is more "versatile" than any bass that has separate volume and tone controls on 2 PU's...
Unless it's an active bass, then you're talking oranges and apples.
People who call Ricks "one sound basses" are ignorant. Someone saying they had an 89 4001 is even more ignorant. But there are people who don't like Ricks for valid reasons; the "one sound" argument is not one of them.
Above e-mail is inactive. try ed_ardzinski@**** where **** is Hotmail.com or Yahoo.com. I tend to see things inthe hotmail box quicker...
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thinneckrick
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Well put Ed , I love a good 60's p bass . I also love a good 60's early 70's jazz bass . But i seem to get a more even round tone with my ricks . I have been a strict jazz bass player for 25 years ! But i use my ricks more now than ever . They have a great overall tone . Got the jazz growl with the p-bass meat all in one bass . Gotta love it .
im getting to old for this ****