Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Yeah its the tone and the looks... A recent gig got everyone talking, especially when I switched to using the pick... comments like - "it sounded like a F****** Jet Engine"!!!

When I was testing out amps at a local music store, a bunch of people commented. I set down my case and opened it and this guy and his three kids kind of just stood there staring at the bass. Then this slap-style session guy came up and started complimenting me on my tone and playing, and so I let him try it out for a bit, and his final comments were, "Man, does this thing sound SWEET! It can do everything!" The store owner was telling me I should go into one of the practice rooms and test out the SVT3PRO, but I was afraid I might end up buying it and being broke. And without a cab.

The guys in the store I bought it from still go "wow" every time I bring it in for anything. They always have one 4003 in stock at all times, but mine was the only Montezuma Brown. They love it.

The only "compliment", if it would be called that, would be when I showed this guy I know my 4001, he didin't even want to touch it let alone play it. All he wanted to do is look at it, as if it was a piece of rare artwork that no one is allowed to touch. I thought it was kind of wierd at first. I don't know.

I hope you didn't let him even point at it...

"Nah, you've seen enough of that one..."

I've had people stop to look at my Ric if I'm ever in a local shop trying out some kind of amp. Some of them make comments like, "I haven't seen one of those in a long time" and then comment on the tone.

I used my FG 4003 when I auditioned for my current band. When we were done, one guy said, "I have a new level of respect for Rickenbacker". I think I've taken a Ric to every practice except one where I used my '75 Reissue J-Bass.

I'm a regular on the Fender Discussion Page and have hosted a few jams around Maryland and DC. I have yet to take a Fender bass to any of the jams. I usually take one of my Rics. And for an added bonus, I took my 620/12 to the last jam for a few Beatles songs.

I knew I was on a winning streak when I came home from the music store with my new Monty Brown 4003 expecting my wife to say...HOW MUCH!

Instead she had nothing but compliments...Ooh isn't the colour lovely...,It's nice how you can see the woodgrain through the colour...and those chrome bits are nice and shiney aren't they?

I'm not too sure if she'll be so full of compliments if I bring another one home though...

At a gig, from a fellow musician (drummer, actually) who was in the audience: "That's the best sound I've ever heard coming out of one of those PLANKS!"

The way it usually goes is that someone approaches me while we're on a break asking, "What type of bass is that?" Most because it just looks so different from every other bass out there.

You should have seen the faces of the sales drones at the Monroeville, PA. Guitar Center when Chris, Joe and I walked in and opened our cases, one, two, three 4005s, all Feb '67s, and one 4001V63!