Sort of disappointed with Ric.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:48 pm

this is a good thread ... a lot of the threads here are Rickenbacker worship ... like we all bow to southern California in reverence to Ric ... and sometimes people are afraid of being critical in fear of offending Ric or Mr. Hall ... I try to be straight up and say what I think ... I don't blow smoke up anybody's backside and I don't post to make somebody look bad either ... I try to just express my opinion ... I'm not very interested in Ric guitars ... but I love the 4003 and 4004 and 2030 basses ... and I do enjoy modifying them into 5 string basses ... I am not very interested in collecting old 60s and 70s instruments and I am not a fan of 4 string basses ... I am one of the few people here who actually prefers the newer instruments ... 1990 and later ... yes I would much rather have a 1997 4003 than a 1977 4001 ...

gshadoan · Post by **gshadoan** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 4:34 pm

An excellent tread. It is my beleif that RIC has no motivation to change anything that they are doing, based on the year plus backlog they enjoy.

As to inovation, I can't agree that RIC has not done this. I am not really into the retro thing, or guitars, but the basses have enjoyed major steps forward in improvements over the years. The 4004 series answers all the moderen bass questions. The Cii5 is an almost perfect bass. Well, except for the pickups, which may be fixed in time. This is the one abject failure in the history of the company. A small oversite really, and easily repaired.

I too am a bit disapointed, that I had to wait 2 years to get one, and then spend an extra 300 to get it to work, but it is an absolute dream bass. Certainly as modern as modern gets IMO. The 4003 basses have under gone dozens if not more improvments over the years, making them an excellent bass. As to the one trick pony image, well, not sure what to say or do about that one. I dont think RIC is losing any sleep over it at this point. When and if they ever get to a J.I.T. manufacturing, and dont have the demand on them that they do, they may start listening to the less happy of us in the RIC fan club. Probably not in my lifetime. Peronally I have never been one to overstate my appreciation for the RIC product line, but I do love my RIC bass. Always been a big fan. Luckly, there are not very many RIC players in my area, so it kinda makes me special. I love seeing people staring at my bass with a look of wonderment in their eyes. Especally other bass players.

They really need to get off the pot on those 5 and 8 stringers though, they should be shipping 200 a week or so, then you will start seeing more of them in "PRO" use. But I dont think they really care what I think. After the nasty little exchange JH and I had over the CII5, I am pretty sure that I'm on his ignore list :-}. Oh well. I'm over it.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 4:48 pm

108 POSTS IN 2 DAYS

NOT BAD!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:54 pm

Ken, I was being tongue in cheeck. Its not that I disagree with everything you said, hence my comment about one thing right.

I think it was greatly needed. As evidenced by not only the number of posts, but the length as well. I know some of you will say size doesn't matter, but nevertheless we have had many words typed on this subject and I am glad to see it.

I hope you weren't offended Ken. I'm interested to see if John Hall responds. I'll be watching.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:45 pm

Jeeze, JH will have to stop building guitars for a month to read this baby.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:09 pm

I wouldn't be surprised at all if he doesn't respond. I have a feeling he's heard it all before.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:13 pm

But, did he get the t-shirt?

thinneckrick · Post by **thinneckrick** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:15 pm

Just because we Play and love our ricks does not mean that we have some abnormal obsession about them .almost all of us on this forum own one or more different brand basses . And also as much as i am grateful to JH for keeping rick going, i do not feel that he is some all being master of time space and dimension to be revered by all . He is a simple buisness man as i am . That being the case there is always room for improvement in the products he builds . THIN NECK 4003's FOR INSTANCE. I for one feel that on this site their is alot of comradery here . Family like if you will . helpful, friendly,and informative . So please Ken lighten up before its to late . Life is way to short. Do you feel a group hugg here ?

clankchris · Post by **clankchris** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:30 pm

I like the thicker necks....but I guess I wouldn't mind if they went thinner and had the same durability..

I just see some thinner necks that don't always fare too well....and I always loved the feel of a P Bass over a J Bass

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:27 pm

I gotta go make some more popcorn.........

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:40 pm

I just don't understand and never did understand Ric. always having the mentality this what we make, take it or leave it.

I along with thousands of other's want different things from Ric but we have no choice but to put up or shut up.

This is not a thread criticizing Ric or John Hall but its not praising them either just stating major opinions here.

I would like to see a 5 stringer ,a v68, a v58[4000],a better 4004 w/thinner neck and more balanced,a better[4003] tailpiece assembly,a thinner neck lighter 4003] all before I die,no joke.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:17 am

Why life is so amazing?
Because, regardless of differences in opinions, people can be friends.
Why the debate/critics are good?
Because the progress is built on it. If everybody were always happy with what they had at the moment, chances are nothing new appeared at all. Or not. Who knows? I don't.
RIC do what they do, and that's fine. Some RIC players are absolutely happy with it, some want more. Both "parties" are right IMO...
Let all of your dreams come true...

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:09 am

Think I'll leave it there. Nothing more to say - not through apathy, mind you.

Very nicely put, Sheena. May all our dreams come true.......

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:18 am

"May all our dreams come true......."

I think for all of Ken's to come true he may have to live to a very ripe old age ... (-; (V58 - 4000)

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:42 am

Now the v57,58,59,60,61,or62 that would be a cool one.

I would have to live to be at least 100.