A MASS-ive question-

[cassius987]

Rickengeneralizations (the 4003 is really bright sounding all the time, is really heavy all the time, is really purple all the time...) are goofy and best to be avoided. I have heard too many to count and none have agreed with my experiences.

[Elnjaybass]

NOT Bright all the time- I can get some of the phattest sounds yet from this pencil-necked 4003!

NOT Heavy- Feels sleek, and makes ME appear 10 lbs lighter

Absolutely NOT Purple- altho I suppose in the right light, with the right ummmm .."inspiration" I could see purple swirling about in the beautiful translucent FireGlo finish!

"Stereotypes" kept me at a distance from Rics for , well forever- And the stereotype is shattered.
I've not seen or played a better bass guitar; and I've seen and played very very very many.

I totally dig why some players here have multiples...

I'm laughing at that...
It's deep.

[cassius987]

"Stereotypes" kept me at a distance from Rics for , well forever- And the stereotype is shattered.

A breakthrough!

Seriously, I celebrate whenever a non-prog rocker (no offense to you all, you rock too) or a non-Brit-Invasion-o-phile (same) is brought into the fold. It's proof that Rics are good for many other things as well, something I've known for a couple of years now.

[jimk]

"Stereotypes" kept me at a distance from Rics for , well forever- And the stereotype is shattered.

A breakthrough!

Seriously, I celebrate whenever a non-prog rocker (no offense to you all, you rock too) or a non-Brit-Invasion-o-phile (same) is brought into the fold. It's proof that Rics are good for many other things as well, something I've known for a couple of years now.

+1
JimK

[Elnjaybass]

I give in- I lay down my arms and (former) pre-conceptions.

WHY there are not more Laredos OR 4003's doing what I like to do---
I do not know.

I won't go as far as to say that "others" don't produce some amazing tones and have amazing character,they certainly do,
but the overall quality feel of a Rickenbacker puts most of these to shame; they really do.

I'm not that skilled at the technical and/or electronic side of the instrument, but I have been playing Bass Guitar for a long while.
I've also had the exposure to, and have owned, or do own, some fine instruments.
I could rattle off names that would take the page-you all are familiar, and especially in regards to a bass guitar for groove, so to speak:
Sadowsky
Lull
Alleva
MTD
Elrick
Lakland
Music Man
Fender/ Fender Custom Shop
Celinder
F Bass
Dingwall
Ken Smith
Roscoe
Fodera
(Many More to add..)

Now my point is not "Rickenbacker better Than..." Not at all-

Just that it is pervasive that a Ric, particularly the 4003 is not considered the "go-to" bass for certain sounds and sections.

WRONG!

They do it all. Laredo is to P-Bass; 4003 is to....well, anything, everything, and a few things it can do that nothing else can.

Don't know if it's a certain "known" like a StingRay, but then again- I've found a sweet spot to slap the...
4003 and - I'm flabbergasted. tone to the bone for miles.

My near-dead stringed Laredo could go into any BBQ and feel right at home. Probably adjust the sauce for the better too.

I don't think of Rickenbacker Basses the same way I did in December 2008. I'm new here.