thinking of a first bass

[brunfox]

I'd like to learn bass, and always liked Rickenbacker basses. Of the 4 string varieties RIC offer in modern times (last 10 or so years) what should I look out for with the 4003 and 4004? It seems that is all that is available? I'm not after a vintage or antique type, and it's only for fun at home. I've heard the scale is different to other famous basses like Fender. If there are any bass players that own different makes, like P J or PJ basses, I'd like to hear from them too.

[Johntheson]

I'm a guitar player of 49 years, who has filled in on bass a number of times; but never really owned my own bass, or made an effort to get serious with it. Needing one to meet my needs in the studio; I bought my first bass last year. Being a big Beatles fan, I have always wanted a Ric, I just always assumed it would be a 6 or 12 string model that I would buy. I bought a Hofner first, and I really enjoy playing it, but my eyes were set on a Ric bass. The 4003 is what I bought. They are a literal work of art. They are quite a different animal from all other basses, but once you play one, you just can't seem to put it down. I would suggest the 4003, as it has all the modern qualities that Ric has put together over years of guitar/bass building experience. They look beautiful, and they sound incredible. Obviously you want to make sure you are really going to stick with it, as the Rics, like any quality instrument of this caliber, aren't cheap. Maybe you might want to just start off with a cheap bass, to make sure you really want to hang in there with it. That's a decision you'll have to make. Although Rics aren't always as readily available in all music stores to try out; they probably have the P's and J's there, so you can get an idea as to whether you liked that type or not. I will say this though; "if I were just starting out on bass, and wanted to go ahead and get the bass I was going to use for a long while, I'd jump on the Ric in a heartbeat". They are worth every dollar you pay for them! The necks are nice and thin, yet they feel very "meaty" also. The P's and J basses I've played felt very nice also, and would certainly do the trick, if that's what you want, but there is only one Ric, and after finally getting one; I understand what the connection is. Good luck.

[ram]

Craig, I don't think you can go wrong with a Ric. I've had a 4001 since '74. Have played others but nothing comes close. The 4003 is a great rugged player... as is the 4004. They do cost, but in the same vein - if you don't like it (which I seriously doubt) you can always sell it for a good price.

[RobRick]

My first bass was a Rickenbacker 4000 I bought for $300 in 1978. I still have it. That amount of money was a large sum for a 15 year old back then, but that is the bass I wanted. When I bought it, I had the mind set that "I am going to be a bass player." So I bought a quality instrument. Get a used 4003 and ROCK!

[bassduke49]

Right now, the only models that are being manufactured are the classic-looking 4003, and the more modern-looking 4004L Laredo and 4004Cii Cheyenne II. To me, they are equal in quality and performance, but they are a little different in feel and sound. Some prefer one over the other, but to me it makes no difference. You can also find the recently discontinued 4001C64/C64S basses out there with the classic look minus the binding and with dot markers on the fingerboard.

There's a larger variety of Rick basses out on the "secondary market" - used and vintage - than most people suspect. To the uninitiated, Rickenbacker made the "4001 bass," as for a long time it was the most-visible and most-produced model. But there are actually close to 40 different Rick bass models over the years, some as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth.

[coolingitdown]

I'd say, in your situation, that you can't go wrong with a new 4003. They are building them better than they ever have. Shop around a bit; check some smaller, lesser known dealers. These usually have better prices and service than the bigger guys.

Wildwood Guitars has two 4003's in stock right now, and they are a great dealer to work with.

[antipodean]

It all depends upon your budget - if you have the money, a new 4003 is superb.

If you're looking at under $1k, then I'd recommend a second hand Japanese Fender P or J reissue. These can come in around the $700 mark for an excellent condition example, including shipping, if you are patient. These basses are very rugged, simple and sound great. I note the word of mouth on the MIM Fenders has been very good of late so these may well be worth a look as well. I have a MIJ '62 J that I would rate as the best value-for-money bass I have ever owned.

Out of left field, US Musicman Stingrays and Sterlings can be extremely good value second-hand - under the $1k mark if you're patient. These share the rugged construction values of Fenders whilst having the tonal versatility that active electronics can bring. I'm not a fan of the circuitry but a lot of very fine players use them to great effect - Tony Levin springs to mind.

[ricaddic]

It all depends upon your budget - if you have the money, a new 4003 is superb.

If you're looking at under $1k, then I'd recommend a second hand Japanese Fender P or J reissue. These can come in around the $700 mark for an excellent condition example, including shipping, if you are patient. These basses are very rugged, simple and sound great. I note the word of mouth on the MIM Fenders has been very good of late so these may well be worth a look as well. I have a MIJ '62 J that I would rate as the best value-for-money bass I have ever owned.

Out of left field, US Musicman Stingrays and Sterlings can be extremely good value second-hand - under the $1k mark if you're patient. These share the rugged construction values of Fenders whilst having the tonal versatility that active electronics can bring. I'm not a fan of the circuitry but a lot of very fine players use them to great effect - Tony Levin springs to mind.

I agree and second that....

[larsongs]

I was looking on Ebay earlier today and spotted a 1999 Fireglo Ric 4003 claims to be mint condition. Current Bid is $835.00. 3 days left on bidding.

I just bought a 360 12 string or I'd be all over this!

You should check it out. I don't know how to post Ebay stuff to the Forum or I would have. It's on their 2nd page of Ric Bass'.

Godd luck,

Glenn

[s4001]

I'd say, in your situation, that you can't go wrong with a new 4003. They are building them better than they ever have. Shop around a bit; check some smaller, lesser known dealers. These usually have better prices and service than the bigger guys.

Wildwood Guitars has two 4003's in stock right now, and they are a great dealer to work with.

Sound advice, this.

[coolingitdown]

I'd say, in your situation, that you can't go wrong with a new 4003. They are building them better than they ever have. Shop around a bit; check some smaller, lesser known dealers. These usually have better prices and service than the bigger guys.

Wildwood Guitars has two 4003's in stock right now, and they are a great dealer to work with.

Sound advice, this.

Thanks, Scott!

And I just checked Wildwood's website.

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/ric/

It looks like they actually have a total of 7 4003's in stock right now: 3 in Jetglo and 4 in Mapleglo. They might be willing to work with you to move some of that inventory...

[eljayski]

i bought my mg 4003 at ww last week and was shocked in a good way at the price!

[coolhandjjl]

If you are new to Rics, best to stick with new from factory authorized dealers. New 4003's are really sweet! I own a 2009 4003 in Mapleglo. On-line sellers like Wildwood, Northcoast Music, Pick of the Ricks, The Music Connection, and others, are great. Many authorized dealers often have a return period of a day or two so you don't have to feel like you made a bad choice. Make sure you know their return terms before you buy.

Plus, if you are buying new from a dealer, make sure it has a manufacture date of after April of 2009. That is when Ric re-engineered the neck to be a two piece laminated length of wood, and is quite slim. Thin, easily playable, fast necks are one of Rics great attributes.

I first took some lessons with my son's Squire J Bass, which is a Fender Jazz Bass clone, so to speak. The Fender necks get really wide as you travel down the neck to the body. For me, I didn't like it. Even though Rics are known for their slim necks that don't taper out like a Fender, Vintage Rics through early 2009 have necks all over the place for a variety of reasons, IE, early 1990's are comfortably slim, end of 1990's and into 2000's are thicker. So if you are not an expert at identifying Rics, you may wind up with a neck that is beefier than you prefer.

[VRICKY63]

I hope you get to play a 4003 before buying. They are different from most basses. Many of the necks are thin front to back but wide at the nut. Also the binding on the body is uncomfortable for some players. That said, if a 4003 works for you they are fantastic, high quality instruments.

[cassius987]

Where do you live? There are several dealers with 4003s in stock right now. My local dealer has had at least two-three Rics (just counting basses, not those good-for-nothing "soprano basses") in stock constantly for the last year or so, and they move them fast.