Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Rickengeneralizations (the 4003 is really bright sounding all the time, is really heavy all the time, is really purple all the time...) are goofy and best to be avoided. I have heard too many to count and none have agreed with my experiences.

NOT Bright all the time- I can get some of the phattest sounds yet from this pencil-necked 4003!

NOT Heavy- Feels sleek, and makes ME appear 10 lbs lighter

Absolutely NOT Purple- altho I suppose in the right light, with the right ummmm .."inspiration" I could see purple swirling about in the beautiful translucent FireGlo finish!

"Stereotypes" kept me at a distance from Rics for , well forever- And the stereotype is shattered.
I've not seen or played a better bass guitar; and I've seen and played very very very many.

I totally dig why some players here have multiples...

I'm laughing at that...
It's deep.

Elnjaybass wrote: "Stereotypes" kept me at a distance from Rics for , well forever- And the stereotype is shattered.

A breakthrough!

Seriously, I celebrate whenever a non-prog rocker (no offense to you all, you rock too) or a non-Brit-Invasion-o-phile (same) is brought into the fold. It's proof that Rics are good for many other things as well, something I've known for a couple of years now.

cassius987 wrote:

Elnjaybass wrote: "Stereotypes" kept me at a distance from Rics for , well forever- And the stereotype is shattered.

A breakthrough!

Seriously, I celebrate whenever a non-prog rocker (no offense to you all, you rock too) or a non-Brit-Invasion-o-phile (same) is brought into the fold. It's proof that Rics are good for many other things as well, something I've known for a couple of years now.

+1
JimK

I give in- I lay down my arms and (former) pre-conceptions.

WHY there are not more Laredos OR 4003's doing what I like to do---
I do not know.

I won't go as far as to say that "others" don't produce some amazing tones and have amazing character,they certainly do,
but the overall quality feel of a Rickenbacker puts most of these to shame; they really do.

I'm not that skilled at the technical and/or electronic side of the instrument, but I have been playing Bass Guitar for a long while.
I've also had the exposure to, and have owned, or do own, some fine instruments.
I could rattle off names that would take the page-you all are familiar, and especially in regards to a bass guitar for groove, so to speak:
Sadowsky
Lull
Alleva
MTD
Elrick
Lakland
Music Man
Fender/ Fender Custom Shop
Celinder
F Bass
Dingwall
Ken Smith
Roscoe
Fodera
(Many More to add..)

Now my point is not "Rickenbacker better Than..." Not at all-

Just that it is pervasive that a Ric, particularly the 4003 is not considered the "go-to" bass for certain sounds and sections.

WRONG!

They do it all. Laredo is to P-Bass; 4003 is to....well, anything, everything, and a few things it can do that nothing else can.

Don't know if it's a certain "known" like a StingRay, but then again- I've found a sweet spot to slap the...
4003 and - I'm flabbergasted. tone to the bone for miles.

My near-dead stringed Laredo could go into any BBQ and feel right at home. Probably adjust the sauce for the better too.

I don't think of Rickenbacker Basses the same way I did in December 2008. I'm new here.