Rickenbacker Basses Versus Guitars

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:52 am

Growing up as a guitarist in the 1960s, my focus was on Rickenbackers, even though it would be decades before I would be able to afford one.

I had always assumed that guitars, in large part, were central to the popularity of Rickenbacker instruments. But I was wrong and it was only in later years that I came to fully appreciate the depth of RIC in its production of guitars, basses, mandolins, lap steels, amplifiers and much more.

This Forum has opened my eyes in many respects, both to instruments and human nature. I'll leave the latter for another thread. What has amazed me, however, is the massive popularity of the Rickenbacker bass relative to the guitar.

It never ceases to amaze me that, regardless of the region studied, that Rickenbacker Basses have found their way to seemingly remote areas.

So, are Rickenbacker basses more popular than guitars and if so why? While not a scientific poll, the number of posts concerning basses is head and shoulders above that of any other topic on this Forum. I am a guitar player and yet I could not resist getting a Rickenbacker Bass.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:25 am

An interesting thread, indeed! I've always wondered why the bass section of this forum is most active of all... Moreover, the only two RICs i've seen "in the flesh" in the music store around the place i live were both basses...
(human nature? wow! that could be a very interesting topic, too - IMHO. I'm absolutely serious, no kiddin')

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:32 am

It wouldn't be the case if Rick basses all looked like the 2000 and 3000 series. Apologies to owners, but those are some generic instruments...

The unique style of the Rick classic set-neck bass has a macho visual appeal that is universal. By that I mean that if you're a male and play rock music of any flavor, you're gonna want a Rick bass eventually to see if the sound and neck are as you've heard, and whether they fit you.

This universal male appeal (UMA) means that more celeb bass players are gonna want 'em, which means that more wannabees in Nome are gonna wanna, and so the cycle goes.

Are we going to touch upon the subject of radical differences in personality types between the Rick guitarists and the Rick bassists on this and other Forums?

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:58 am

I think part of the difference in appeal between guitar & bass is that the guitars are largely perceived as "Beatle" guitars by a high proportion of players, while the 4000 series seems to be more evenly spread in terms of celebrity influence.

Personally, I loved the sound, then when I first saw a 4001, I thought it very appropriate that something so beautiful would sound so good.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:10 am

Well, in earlier times there was more activity on the guitar topics than there is now, even though bass threads have always been popular here. There seemed to be a sharp rise in the number of Rickenbacker bass fans posting here in 2001-2002, at least thats my recollection.

Even though I'm a bass player, It would be nice to see some more guitar posts....there is much to talk about in both areas.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:40 am

John: I certainly wouldn't want to use Rickenbacker Forum posts as the last word in relative popularity.

I have found it curious, however, that Rickenbacker Basses seem to show up everywhere. Kevin's comments are well taken as are yours.

The bass may just fit in better with all types of music than the guitars which offer a more distinct tonality that differs from Fender, Gibson and so on. I realize that this comment should stir the pot.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:50 am

I think maybe the guitars are perceived as one-trick ponies (as are the basses to a certain extent) and it's a shame that they aren't as popular as other brands that are not as good! I love it when people break the mold and use them for rock and other things that the usual player does not know they can do.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:01 am

I concur with the one-trick-pony hypothesis Steve. This begs the question that I have asked myself so many times before, does the guitar/bass make the player or the player make the guitar/bass?

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:03 am

I am an “O.K” bass player and not quite as good guitar player.

I play and collect both Ric guitars and basses. I really like the guitars, but there is something about the basses that really hits me. The shape and style of the 4000 series is so unique.

I like the Beatles thing and all, but that’s not why I collect. In fact, most of my favorite Ric guitars resemble the 4000 series (I.E. the 480, 4080, and 660’s).

I must say that other guitars (non Ric’s) do strike a cord with me. I hate to say it but if I had an extra $40K laying around, I would own a pre-CBS Lake Placid Blue Strat.

Perhaps (being a big Rush, Yes and Genesis fan), I was just engrained with the 4000 series.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:41 am

does the guitar/bass make the player or the player make the guitar/bass

IMHO, later rather than former, but actually, it's a kind of a mutual process, in my view...
IMHO, bass, together with drums, create the basis of musical composition. But that's another story... I know that the best bass guitarist from my home country uses a RIC. There must be a very good reason for that, especially bearing in mind the prices for RICs and other brand basses in Russia...
Maybe one of the reasons as well... consider (count?) the bass and guitar heroes who use RICs...

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:44 am

"Even though I'm a bass player, It would be nice to see some more guitar posts....there is much to talk about in both areas."

Well said, Leftybass...and much to be learned by each camp from the other. The 4080 owners are at the vanguard of understanding, belonging to both sides, as it were...My experience playing the Ric twelve string, which is unlike any other guitar, made me respect the makers of these instruments much more than when I was 'just' a bass player.

I look forward to the day when I can afford dual membership once again...

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:58 am

Interesting thread. Before I saw this I posted a series of questions in the Guitar section that some of you may find interesting as the results come in. I have always wondered if most Rickenbacker guitarists are in fact rhythm players and not lead players. Let's see what my poll discovers in that area.

I am a guitarist who also plays bass. I only have a Ric 4001. Ric basses produce the sound that I love and quite frankly no other bass will do for me.

However as a lead guitarist I use a wide assortment of top quality guitars. My Strats, Les Pauls are in a tight race always to jump into my hands, but I do prefer my 360/V64 for most of the stuff that I do.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:58 am

Peter wrote: "John: I certainly wouldn't want to use Rickenbacker Forum posts as the last word in relative popularity....."

Yes Peter, I agree. From my own perspective I consider myself a fan of all things Rickenbacker, and the more people that jump on the bandwagon the better. The company has a rich history...much to learn about.

Re about The Beatles: It goes without saying that they played a big part in the company's history, but it's only one facet....I don't believe that Ricks are one-trick ponys for a second.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:25 am

It was Rickenbacker basses that led me to their gtrs. I was (& still at heart) a bassist & that was all I wanted to be. I saw a picture of a Ric bass in my early teens & fell instantly in love. In '78, I bought a brand new 4001JG & have used Ric basses ever since. When I found that, for various reasons, I had to concentrate on gtr, then the Ric gtrs were the obvious move.

Without the 4001, the chances are that I would not have tried the gtrs.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 10:09 am

It is hard to believe that your first Rickenbacker bass wasn't a fireglo Tony.