Are Rics played mosty by the over 40 crowd?

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 6:07 pm

On a 330 or 360, that much figure does seem a little out of place, Its like a fancy shaped car not needing matallic paint, but for a 650 C or a CII bass I think the figure goes quite well

a wood upgrade option to KNOW im gunna get some degree of flame would be awesome

JP

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 7:32 pm

That CII does look, er, "special"! The Mapleglo one on RIC's site has a similar charm. It's because the bass has a body shape that looks OK with a lot of flame, whereas the tubbies are more conservative in their look.

In my opinion you've nailed it.

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:32 pm

Very interesting comments in response to my simple age question to satisfy my curiosity that began this thread. A few posted explanations about today's younger musicians not being able to afford a Ric make sense to me. When you can get a Japanese strat at Guitar Center for less than $400 and you are young and short on cash makes sense to me (or a Squire for $150 if you are really desparate) I guess that's pretty appealing if you just want to get a guitar. It sounds like most Ric players either have been using them for a while and have grown into the over 40 catagory, or there are others like me who have been waiting for years to get one and finally did it at over 40 (age, not waist band). The price is worth the craftmanship in the Ric, and I'm learning more every day on this forum. BTW, I paid as much for my Ric as I did for the car that I've been driving for 8 years (a '71 VW Beetle). The Bug gets me physically from point A to point B, but I think the Ric will take me places emotionally and spiritually...if you know what I mean

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 9:32 pm

Andrew, don't be a snob about Squiers...I've got a SB Squier Jagmaster, and it's nice, especially considering it cost the shy side of $200.00. Fit and finish are good and it plays better than my '66 Jazzmaster, although the sound is too "hot and harsh" if you push it. It's my lesson guitar. Then I come home and really get inspired on my Rick.

But of course Ricks are in another league entirely re: inspiration and elevation of spirit.

wrattej · Post by **wrattej** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:53 am

Yes - I've still got Weller's Fireglo 330.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:43 am

From a Squier to Weller's 330 in one post....I love this forum!

r_andrew · Post by **r_andrew** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:45 am

Paul,
Sorry to sound snobbish about Squires. I bought one of those $150 strats for my 13 year old daughter. For a cheap guitar, it sounds pretty darn good. I wish they would have had that kind of quality of inexpensive guitar when I was first starting out.

I traded my '77 US Fender strat in to get my new Ric 360-6 (lefty). I played that strat for about 15 years, but in the end I really wanted the sound and looks of the Ric. The Fender served me well, but now I'm glad to be part of the Rickenbacker player's club.

My inspiration for getting a Ric, it goes way back to seeing Petty and the Heartbreakers play them, as well as the old Townshend days...don't laugh, but the Romantics also played a part in the "cool" factor for me - and the Smithereens.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:43 am

Who's laughing? There's a mini-McGuinn or Weller or equivalent inside most of us!

As many of us "oldsters" have experienced, new guitars in the 60s were pricey and often not too good. Fender didn't have a "low end" line back in '59 when my second-from-the-bottom Duo-Sonic was made. I believe it listed for $149.50 back then--about 2 weeks' pay (before taxes) for the "average" working American! It was so somple that it was hard to build badly, though, and the design is classic, especially the BRILLIANT electronics!

But--imagine! A Squier Jagmaster at $199.00 represents about 3 days' pay at minimum wage, before taxes. The finish, sound and assembly and component quality far exceed even Fender's top-of-the-line in '59 (Jazzmaster) at just shy of $400.00 then...

Thank the Orient for this, of course. Cheap labor (still well-paid for them, don't forget) a tremendous work ethic, and state-of-the-art supply chain and facilities.

But let's not forget to thank RIC too, for almost singlehandedly keeping the flag flying for American-built guitars. Again I wonder: how do they do it at the price? And I answer myself: TIGHT controls on cost and quality!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:30 am

I'm 19 and own three Ricks (With one on the way), and owned another at one point.

I got my 4003 when I was 16 - they knew I needed a new bass, but all I liked was the Rick...so eventually, they gave in! =)

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:34 am

Welcome to the forum John. It's great to see a youngster so committed to the cause!

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:22 pm

I'm 49 and only own one (a 650D). I need to figure out John's secret

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:51 pm

The flame looks nice on my 4004Cii.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:40 pm

David - an inheritance, and the circumstances surronding how I got the money are ufortunatley pretty unsavory.

However, the money has helped a ton with my pricey college tuition, and I have been very lucky in that I was able to spend some money and buy some of the instruments I grew up dreaming about owning.

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 4:48 am

John - I certainly didn't mean to cast any aspersions with my comment! Good luck with your college experience, and enjoy those Ricks

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 5:29 am

I hear you John, I'm at University here in Canada and I also have to pay for it... I just payed the second semester of this year (2300$ Yikes!) and I don't have a penny left for anything...
And I know as soon as I see more of the blueburst that I'll seriously want one...
I should quit University, use my loan to buy some more equipment and start playing gigs!