Any chance I'll be disappointed with a 4003?

[rickenbrother]

If you get a 4003 and you're disappointed with it, just send it to me!

[rickenbottom]

Sent you a pm.

[Metal Jockey]

Sent you a pm.

Thanks!

[antonius]

I had never touched a Rickenbacker before I got my '75 4001 back in 1990. But I really wanted THAT sound and loved the look of Rickenbackers, and so I was more than prepared to adapt and adjust to any differences or quirkiness in the Rick. Actually it didn't feel strange at all when I got it, but it did feel different, and I really felt I could express myself on it. 22 years later and I still have it and love it, and if I had the money I'd buy a new 4003 too (maybe one day!). If you are like most of us here then you won't be disappointed, but it is probably wise to try one first as not everyone gets on with them...

[Kopfjaeger]

In the late 70's and early 80's all I played were Fender P basses. I was chasing a certain sound so I'd go heavy on the treble side of my EQ. I even added a preamp peddle to help get me there. I idolized the sound JJ Burnell of The Stranglers got out of his P Bass. I also loved the sound of the bass in every Jam song. I would not have had to struggle to acquire that sound if I had gone with a 4001 first.

Hey, live and learn. When I played my first Rickenbacker, a used 4001 in Jetglo, I was amazed of the ease and comfort of the neck. This is coming from a P bass guy. The sound, well it was exactly what I had been looking for. That used 4001 set the mark that every bass since has been compared to in sound and feel.

Beside the Modulus Q5 I own for the low B string, still not in love with that bass, all I own are Rickenbacker's. Every bass I play is still compared to a Ric.

Sepp

[johnallg]

Every bass I play is still compared to a Ric.

Sepp

Yeah, I find I do that too. It surprised me to realize that, but time has proven it to me.

[cjj]

Every bass I play is still compared to a Ric.

Sepp

Yeah, I find I do that too. It surprised me to realize that, but time has proven it to me.

I'd change that to, "Every bass I play never quite compares to a Rick..."

[Kopfjaeger]

CJ,

OK, I can agree to that statement! I imagine there are basses way out of my price range that exceed my expectations. I just have not played them yet. Roscoe is a maker that I'd love to play and critique.

I think we've all heard that Ric's aren't comfortable to play or that they are thin sounding. Maybe I have a misshapen lap but either sitting or standing all my Rickenbackers fit me fine. Thin sounding? While my hearing is not what it use to be, I've never considered them thin sounding, by any means.

Sepp

[rickenbrother]

CJ,

OK, I can agree to that statement! I imagine there are basses way out of my price range that exceed my expectations. I just have not played them yet. Roscoe is a maker that I'd love to play and critique.

I think we've all heard that Ric's aren't comfortable to play or that they are thin sounding. Maybe I have a misshapen lap but either sitting or standing all my Rickenbackers fit me fine. Thin sounding? While my hearing is not what it use to be, I've never considered them thin sounding, by any means.

Sepp

Every year I go to the NAMM show, I pass by all the high end bass amp and boutique bass guitar makers booths. You'll always find amps in the bass makers booths and boutiques basses in the high end amplifier booths. I will say that many of those boutique bass guitars are very nice however, going from booth to booth...THEY ALL SOUND THE SAME!!! Then if you buy one new and have to sell it, the value drops like a rock off a high cliff. I'll stick with my Rickenbackers. They always please me.
If I ever had too much money burning a hole in my pocket, as far as buying up musical instruments, I'd first get every Rick I'd ever wanted, then I'd go for a Marleaux if I really had the urge for a boutique bass guitar.

[Metal Jockey]

Well, I tried one at Sam Ash this morning and.......I loved it!! That neck was so smooth, wow. It felt very good in my hands. The greater width at the nut compared to my Squier was really no issue at all and I seem to adjust to it right away. I really would have liked to remove the treble pickup guard. I was sitting the whole time while playing and I thought the body of the bass felt pretty comfortable, no issues really.

Ok, so the one I played was a Fireglo. Nice, but not the color for me. They had a Jetglo in stock and it was beautiful. The only online retailer that may have a Jetglo is Dave's Guitars in Wisconsin. I haven't had a chance to call them today. Anyone hear of them? Not sure of their pricing yet and the one thing I would be reluctant on is that their return policy is that you have 48 hours to return an instrument from when you receive it. That doesn't seem like a lot of time to get to know an instrument to determine whether something may be wrong. If I can't find a Jetglo I will likely go ahead with a MG as a second choice.

Thanks again to everyone who chimed in with suggestions and advice. Much appreciated.

[johnallg]

Every bass I play is still compared to a Ric.

Sepp

Yeah, I find I do that too. It surprised me to realize that, but time has proven it to me.

I'd change that to, "Every bass I play never quite compares to a Rick..."

I won't go that far. I have a $109 Chinese Jazz clone that plays and feels really great and is one of my favorites. Is the quality the same; no way. Do I get the same feeling of freedom from playing it; yes.

[johnallg]

Well, I tried one at Sam Ash this morning and.......I loved it!! That neck was so smooth, wow. It felt very good in my hands. The greater width at the nut compared to my Squier was really no issue at all and I seem to adjust to it right away. I really would have liked to remove the treble pickup guard. I was sitting the whole time while playing and I thought the body of the bass felt pretty comfortable, no issues really.

Ok, so the one I played was a Fireglo. Nice, but not the color for me. They had a Jetglo in stock and it was beautiful. The only online retailer that may have a Jetglo is Dave's Guitars in Wisconsin. I haven't had a chance to call them today. Anyone hear of them? Not sure of their pricing yet and the one thing I would be reluctant on is that their return policy is that you have 48 hours to return an instrument from when you receive it. That doesn't seem like a lot of time to get to know an instrument to determine whether something may be wrong. If I can't find a Jetglo I will likely go ahead with a MG as a second choice.

Thanks again to everyone who chimed in with suggestions and advice. Much appreciated.

See what Sam Ash will do on price for the JG one they have. You can feel it, see it, play it, and know exactly what you are getting. They may even throw in a free setup. With the reaction you had to the feel of a Rick, you will find you reach the comfort spot with owning it easily and you just might see your playing improve.