In praise of the 2030

Vintage, Modern, V & C series, Fretless, Signature & Special Editions

Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4

rickfan60
Senior Member
Posts: 5395
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:00 am

In praise of the 2030

Post by rickfan60 »

I should also say, in praise of Jeff Rath because I probably would not own this bass if not for his endorsement. I admit it, I started playing 4001's because of Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, and Geddy Lee. That is the plain truth. No other reason - just simple hero worship. The 2030 is the first bass I bought on the endosement of someone other than a high profile celeb. Jeff is a truly pragmatic bassist. He loves basses but is not romantic about them. There is a difference. Jeff calls a spade a spade and does not stand on ceremony. I like that because I tend to be the opposite. Jeff spoke very highly of the 2030 a while back and his praise of the model made me curious so I bought one.

Image

I played it a bit here and there and even jammed with it once but I never really got into it. Something was just not right about it. That is, until the past week or so. All of the fuss about 3001's recently made me revisit my 2030. It turns out that I was really missing the point. It is a Rickenbacker so I kept expecting it to be like a 4000 series and became frustrated when it came up short. I don't expect my Jazz Bass to be like a 4000 series and I get along with it just fine. So I took the Rath approach and treated the 2030 as just a tool (which is really all that it is) and not as a Rickenbacker ( or what I preceive a Rickenbacker to be). In a short time I began to see what it can do instead of what it can't. I was hung up on getting ONE sound from a Rick. The 2030 is a Rick but with a different voice. It can do some of the 4000 series growl but it has a sound of it's own. It is deep and powerful with lots of punch and lively overtones. Yes, it is ugly compared with the 4000's and it balances differently because of the shape but it is not hard to get used to it. I found that if I use a wider strap the balance is not a problem at all. I really like the slender neck. and the clean look of the top. Given it's low-end balls, I have to wonder how it would sound as an 8 string. I have bashed the 2030 here a few times but I am taking it all back right now. I am still not about the pay over $1000 for a 3001 but my 2030 is definately going to get more playing time from now on. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Thanks Jeff!

Image
loendmaestro
Intermediate Member
Posts: 1495
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 12:53 pm
Contact:

Post by loendmaestro »

It's always nice to have another Rick weapon in the arsenal!
Sometimes I feel that I go on too much about my 3001, but it IS an extremely underrated instrument. I've always wanted to grab a 2030 because I feel that there would be additional tonal possibilities.
They're sleepers. I've always said that my 3001 was like a gutsier, ****** off P-bass. Plenty of clank, but with a fat, muscular bottom end.
Heavy? Yes. But a surprisingly comfortable bolt on neck. Glad you like it Ted!

Also, I have to give a shout out to Rath too. He has fielded multiple off forum questions from me & always gave me honest, unselfish appraisals & opinions.

...plus his shoot from the hip style of humor is very similar to mine!
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

Ted ... thanks for the compliments ... and that is one pretty bass ...
User avatar
henny
Advanced Member
Posts: 1556
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 1:35 pm

Post by henny »

Sleak.

Genuine no-frills Ric workhorse right there.

Nice one, Ted!
rickfan60
Senior Member
Posts: 5395
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:00 am

Post by rickfan60 »

I am really looking forward to playing it with the band soon. The tone circuit of the 2030 is interesting. It appears to be a kind of preamp but it does not use a battery. The power from the chord is enough to make it work. Maintenance free active electronics, Cool. As far as I can tell, only the treble pickup is boosted by the preamp and the gain is more than a little significant. The neck pickup seems to be there just for support. It makes a clean and deep sound but the treble pickup does most of the talking.
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

Ted ... do you have single coil or humbuckers?
User avatar
jnbass
Veteran RRF member
Posts: 5359
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2001 7:58 am

Post by jnbass »

needs a horseshoe!
Buy it before someone else does
blueflamerick
Advanced Member
Posts: 1943
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2003 1:43 pm
Contact:

Post by blueflamerick »

I too am a huge fan of the 2030. I wouldn't give up either of mine for anything. Sure, they're kinda ugly, but they sound great.
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

There are 2 types of 2030 basses the 80's have single coils and sound similar to a 4003 ... the 90's have humbuckers and sound like 4004 basses ...
rickfan60
Senior Member
Posts: 5395
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:00 am

Post by rickfan60 »

Good question. Mine was made in October of '91. I did not pay much attention to the pickup wires last time I had it open.
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

the test is plug it in then go stand in front of a computer or a tv ... if it buzzes it is a single coil ... if it a 91 I would guess humbuckers ... I know they were using humbuckers in 93 ...
User avatar
soundmasterg
RRF Consultant
Posts: 1923
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 1:06 pm

Post by soundmasterg »

If you don't mind telling me, how much did you pay for that bass? I've never seen one anywhere for sale, but have a 230 model guitar that I've had since '91 and I love the pickups. I would guess I'd probably like the 2030 also.
User avatar
rickenbrother
RRF Moderator
Posts: 13218
Joined: Sun May 26, 2002 5:00 am

Post by rickenbrother »

Ted, I like that bass. I might have considered going for the 2030 I saw in Guitar Center yesterday...if it didn't have an insane price of well over $2000.
JETGLO should officially be renamed JETGLO ROCKS! :-)
rickfan60
Senior Member
Posts: 5395
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:00 am

Post by rickfan60 »

I probably paid too much for mine at $800. They should probably cost between $600-$700.
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

Also the 2020 and 2030 basses make good five string basses ...
Post Reply

Return to “Rickenbacker Basses: by Joey Vasco & Tony Cabibe”