Excuse Me, While I Flip Out...

[Rickenhands]

Dear Ric Enthusiasts,

I always benefit from your posts/knowledge. Having read many, I feel confident knowing you'll excuse me while I report on my very first Ric experience to date.

*Purchased Ric on 1/21/10 from Mike Parks in Raleigh, NC (a fine southern gentleman, I might add). Brand new, in box October '08 Midnight Blue 4003. Freakishly gorgeous.
*Received Ric in good order on 1/28 (too cheap to spring for overnight shipping, despite my desire).
*Played Ric non-stop for 8 days (well, I went to work and all. And I paid due attention to my family!), then...
*Took Ric to San Francisco pro for setup, and he did an amazing job (though it played great out of the gate, I'm not technically adept and couldn't/wouldn't remove the rear pup cover on my own to adjust pole pieces to even out string volume--well worth taking it to a pro, for me).
*Played Ric non-stop since getting it back in preparation for shows, rehearsals, etc...

What I really want to say is: I've been playing bass for almost 30 years, and I've never played something that satisfies me as much as this Ric does. Can y'all understand? What is it?? Is it the looks? The feel? The pickups? The community? All of the above?

Sorry for the silly ramble (Joey- feel free to delete if you must), I just had to get this off my chest. My wife looks at me like I have three heads when I talk about how much I love the Ric, so I'm just preaching my joy to the choir, I guess.

I'm about two months into my first Ric, and my head is blown at how awesome this instrument is.

Peace, and thanks to you all for your help in making my Ric experience more like a rebirth.

[cassius987]

I feel you. I loved my Fenders and my 'Ray but they never did what my Rics do for me either. I ABed my 4003FL against a Bill Conklin custom at his shop once (a fretless hollowbody) and I still maintained favor for the Ric.

I think the distinguishing thing for me comes out of the all maple construction, pretty much unique to RIC as basses go, and this flies in the face of convention with most basses which use woods that boost low mids, rather than scoop them. This results in a bass that has a lot more fundamental and top-end without gobs of mids which means clarity in the sound. And in my experience it mixes just fine, and tends to be a bit boomier like it or not. The low end on most Rics is just huge, and then there's a visible clean top-end. Quite a combo.

I don't know, that's just my two cents.

[jimk]

Hey John, this flippin' out you're doing, it isn't out of the ordinary. That was my reaction exactly when I got my 360/12 string. It has been going on 11 months now. And the honeymoon ain't over yet. Congrats on a great bass!
JimK

[rickenbrother]

Sorry for the silly ramble (Joey- feel free to delete if you must)

Oh no, please continue! Nice to see someone so happy and excited about there Rick. I know the feeling. I felt the same when I got my first 4001 in '81, I still feel same when I was lucky to get another after that.

I did however delete your duplicate thread of this one.

[winston]

Well excuse me while I kiss the sky, that was most refreshing....................and you have to love it Joey. Congrats John, most of us love our Ricks but you have it bad.

[rickenbrother]

Well excuse me while I kiss the sky, that was most refreshing....................and you have to love it Joey. Congrats John, most of us love our Ricks but you have it bad.

Yes, I do love it and John doesn't have it any worse than me!

[s4001]

Welcome. You have been assimilated.

[johnallg]

John, I think most all of us understand what you are saying. For me, when I got my first Rick 4003, it was the feel the bass had that most got me. The quality was part of it, but the biggest part by far was the way it became part of me as an extension of my playing. It was a facilitator, not an impedance. It felt right, sounded right, and played right.

Welcome to the crowd.

[Rickenhands]

Thanks, all.

Joey, thanks for deleting the duplicate--must have been too excited and hit "submit" twice.

Joshua, nice description. It explains quite a bit.

John, you said it well by stating the Ric is an extension of my playing--it's freed me versus impeding me. It feels right, sounds right, and plays right, for sure!

Yes, Brian, I have it bad!

I've played many basses. This Ric tops them all--by far. You all rock! Thanks for justifying my craze. Onward and upward!

Peace.

[T.A.R.]

This place is Great!

[jps]

This place is Great!

Nah, we just like watching money being spent!

[rickenbrother]

This place is Great!

Nah, we just like watching money being spent!

Tony takes that an extra step. He likes helping people spend their money!

[VRICKY63]

In the world of basses Rickenbackers are unique ! Some people get it, some do not. To me RICs are like truth........you know it when you feel it. Congratulations on owning a beautiful instrument.

[rickaddict]

Congrats and thanks for posting, John. I was lucky to play my first Rick bass 28 years ago, after only a couple years of playing other brands. I bought that first Rick and still own it today.

Rickenbacker: Nothing else comes close!

Watch out though...If you're not careful you can end up with dozens of 'em!

[jps]

This place is Great!

Nah, we just like watching money being spent!

Tony takes that an extra step. He likes helping people spend their money!

I'm pretty good at that, also.