My first Rick

[jason]

Wow! What a great forum! Anyway, I just got my first Rickenbacker bass. It is an 82 burgundy 4001. I cannot believe how great this bass is! I had always liked the looks of the ricks, but heard a lot of negative things about them from a fingerstyle players standpoint. (can't slap on em, no where to rest your hand while plucking, too trebly sounding) Well, anything I had heard is completely unfounded. I have had this thing for 2 days, and I think it will be my main bass. I play jazz/funk/improv type music, and
the sound is just fantastic. The clarity in the lower register is just superb. Even my wife said it sounds great! It plays so easy. I mean there was a slight adjustment to the pickup placement, but I am already used to it. There is so much variance in picking over the neck or bridge pickup. (as far as tone goes) The construction seems rock solid, and the finish has got to be the coolest "red" ever. Oh well, I am just exited about my new toy. Oh, slapping is not too bad either.

[rob]

Whomever tells you anything negative about a Ric, take notice on what he/she is playing. Most likely it's something made overseas, by well underpaid workers. (But not all foreign models.) They tell you this stuff probably because you have a REAL American made instrument that produces a quality sound, and theirs may not. But, I also understand a Ric isn't for everyone. And who says there is no place to place your hand while plucking? Just place your palm on the chrome surrounding the treble pickup. No other manufacturer that I've seen has this feature, except for Fender's "Old Style" PU covers.
As for slapping goes, just a word of advice: DON'T slap too hard if you use a distortion pedal such as an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff. That cost me two new speakers already. Have Fun!!

[rob]

Just to clarify something I wrote: What I meant on Fender's "Old Style" was the cover itself, not a surround. As you probably know.