Rickenbacker vs Fender (Side by Side)

[haw]

Or for a couple more bucks the Classic Vibe line - I have the '50's P and if it stands up to the Fender version quite nicely. One could have a brandy-new 4003 and one of the Squiers easily for right around 2k. IHMO the only significant difference between the Squier CV line and a Mexi Fender is the $$$$, as a matter of fact the Squiers seem to be consistently better quality wise than the Fenders which in recent years have been somewhat hit and miss.

My thoughts exactly. Love my 4001, and that 50's Squier is just a joy.

Actually you're pretty much spot on here. I tried a load of Jazz's in a shop before settling on a Mexi 70's Classic (block inlays/black guard/3TS) and I very nearly walked out with the Squier Classic Vibe Jazz - it was that good. Never thought I'd rate an Indonesian made (no offence to Indonesians!) bass over an American Standard.

[slave]

Great read in this thread - thanks guys!

[iiipopes]

I have my 4002, and I have my custom fanned fret P-style bass with slightly narrowed string spacing at the bridge and a RIC HB-1 in roughly the D-G pickup segment position, and a Dimarzio Ultra Jazz in between the '60's position and the '70's position. Does the custom P-style sound like a Rick? No, it sounds like a Fender with a little more growl and presence, especially with the new Fender flats 9050CL 45-60-80-105 set of strings. The best way I've found to describe the differences is that a few years ago, when Fender started putting in graphite neck rods and some other minor tweaks, they introduced the basses that year with an ad campaign, "Daddy's Home!" Now compared to that, a Rickenbacker can be described as, "Daddy's Home! -- and he's HUNGRY!!" You may consider that in any context you desire.

[08 Ric 4003]

I own a 4003 and an F Jazz and they are two differnet animals. They feel different they sound different. I don't know how you can really compare one to the other, unless you play them side by side with the same strings and they will still sound different. I love both of them. Play them until your gut tells you which one to get. You may find a screamin deal in ebay on one or the other. I bought both mine used. I got a smoking deal on the Jazz and a fair price on the 4003.

[cangaroo]

Talking about similarities between rick and jazz bass, i've found that they sound similar in the bridge position, if played with fingers near the bridge. From both you can obtain a beautiful "jaco"esque tone ... last year i played a gig this way and the keyboard player (which was totally unaware of what a rick is) made me its congratulations for my "fusion" sound ...

[TheCurvedEarth]

Just get both. lol

[ram]

Just get both. lol

+1

[woodyng]

so-wonder what the original poster ended up doing? (probably bought an EB-O)

[iiipopes]

Just get both. lol

So you will always have a reminder of just how superior the Rick is.

[JakeK]

I'm with anyone who has said it: a Ric can sound like a Jazz or a Precision, depending on your playing style. For Paul McCartney stuff on a Jazz with flatwounds and a pick (at least post-Rubber Soul stuff) can get you the sound you want.

[ricaddic]

Just get both. lol

So you will always have a reminder of just how superior the Rick is.

Unless you live in south Philadelphia where the weather and climate and humidity cange constanly and so does the set ups on the Rics and constantly need tweaking thus rendering my Rics 8 of them unplayable most of the time to my standards I beg to differ, im not saying anyone is superior to the other and dont get me wrong I love my Rics I have bought 15 of them over the last 5 years and got rid of 7 of them, so for me they are not the most reliable basses in my arsenal,

[rickenbrother]

Just get both. lol

So you will always have a reminder of just how superior the Rick is.

Unless you live in south Philadelphia where the weather and climate and humidity cange constanly and so does the set ups on the Rics and constantly need tweaking thus rendering my Rics 8 of them unplayable most of the time to my standards I beg to differ, im not saying anyone is superior to the other and dont get me wrong I love my Rics I have bought 15 of them over the last 5 years and got rid of 7 of them, so for me they are not the most reliable basses in my arsenal,

In So Cal, especially in June, the mornings are cool and damp (June Gloom), the afternoons are bone dry and warm to hot. I don't have a problem with my Ricks. Always been reliable for me.

[ricaddic]

In So Cal, especially in June, the mornings are cool and damp (June Gloom), the afternoons are bone dry and warm to hot. I don't have a problem with my Ricks. Always been reliable for me.

You got room for me my good brother, im moveing in with you, im about sick of all the snow we been getting every winter anymore, you better forwarn the lovely Diane of my arrival, seriously it gets frustrating, once the winter sets in they are usually pretty good, but once the spring, summer and fall get here, its a nightmare, hey my skin in the winter getys supre dry no materr how much i treat it, the Rics love the winter, but hate the other three seasons, stay safe good brother take good care of the lovely Diane..

[rickenbrother]

You got room for me my good brother, I'm moving in with you, I'm about sick of all the snow we been getting every winter anymore, you better forewarn the lovely Diane of my arrival, seriously it gets frustrating, once the winter sets in they are usually pretty good, but once the spring, summer and fall get here, its a nightmare, hey my skin in the winter gets super dry no matter how much i treat it, the Rics love the winter, but hate the other three seasons, stay safe good brother take good care of the lovely Diane..

C'mon out, Ange! I'll teach your Ricks a thing or two and they'll stay in line. But I don't get it. When I lived in the Bronx, which does not that much of a different climate that Philly, I didn't have seasonal issues with my Ricks.

[slave]

Every bass I've ever owned has changed a touch with temperature, but the least effected is my Precision, the most a stingray. Not a lot, just noticeable.
Once they're 3 or 4 songs in the neck warms up and settles and we're set.
But if a Rick changes so much??!?! Is this due to the thinner Rick necks?

Also, one more question RE: Fender P-bass VS RICK 4003;
Do most of you guys find the 4003 capable of getting that big fundemental thump that a P can always achieve?