Interesting thought for the day

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:07 am

My old 4001 had some rather bad intonation problems, too.

I think Rics, especially the old ones, are high-maintenance.

I can sympathise with Geddy when he says that his 4001s aren't built for excessive road touring.

But, for the sound they make, well worth the custodian investment.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:22 am

I'll say it now - i got a 1973 4001 off ebay...it was awful. Sure it was old and worn and the frets had been ground down a lot- apart from that it was stock. Basically all strings were almost a semitone sharp at the 12 fret unless the saddles were all the way back, and even then it was not quite there.

also i personally don't get the deal with the old toaster pickup's... they dont put out much of a good balanced sound. weak too

thats IMHO of course

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:49 am

I love my Fender Jazz. Excellent tone and nobody does sunburst like Fender. Having said that, however, RIC is in my blood and in my heart. If I could have only one it would be a RIC.

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:49 am

I'm not planning to acquire anymore vintage Rics from now on, especially 4001s for exactly that reason, Owen.

Cheyenne IIs or bust, for me. And perhaps an FG 4001c64 before they go out of production.

rickcrazy · Post by **rickcrazy** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:59 am

"They don't put out much of a good balanced sound. Weak too".

I agree. The toaster pickup on my newly acquired August '70 21 fret 4001 is a case in point. Granted, those six short magnetic slugs probably lost some of their charge over time, but I don't think they were that strong in the first place - which maybe is the reason why they were eventually replaced with longer, more effective, ones. And the fact that on either version of the toaster pickup those six polepieces did not match the fretboard radius made (makes?) for uneven string to string volume.r

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:09 pm

Its interesting that whilst there are differences in detail over time.... the Fender Precision has remained exactly the same since Fender made it "strat - like" in the late 50's. In contrast, the 4000/4001/4003/4004 shows quite an evolution. many changes were made that, whilst "spoiling" these basses in many's opinion....are actually improvment's.

Hi gain's, and in particular the modern versions- and the removal of the cap- are a huge improvement. as are the trussrods and the tuning machines. RIC would not have changed the design if they didn't think they could improve on it im sure.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:45 pm

I'm really glad that Rickenbacker has continually made technical improvements over the years that make the basses better, but they have not lost their core focus of being a made-in-California, no-compromise-on-quality company. That balance of tradition, quality, and an open eye toward technical improvements is a tricky balance and Rickenbacker is doing it like few can or will.

It's fun to see the variations and collectible Ricks over the years, and yet you can feel that the new 4003's are every bit as great.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:56 pm

well said Dean

i agree. I think these improvements have turned the rickenbacker bass into an instrument that beats a fender in many styles of music....rather than just being a curiousity. I tried to play my 73 on stage during a sound check. No punch. No presence. No power.......pulled out the 4003 - instant great bass sound.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:05 pm

At 5'7", every time I pick up a Fender bass, I feel like Danny Partridge. They just seem so big and bulky.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:28 pm

I like a variety. That's why I have Fenders and Ricks.
Overall my #1 would be my '74 P, because it can do EVERYTHING fairly well. But I like the Ricks a lot too, because, well, they are Ricks.
The modern High Gains + D'Addario Chrome Flats + major thump and Bump! On my '97

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:30 pm

2002 '54 Blue Flower Precision Bass, Single coil
Mid 90's 1951 Fender Precision Bass Reissue
Home Built P-Bass Fretless
1974 Precision BAss
1997 Rickenbacker 4001
1975 Rickenbacker 4003

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:42 pm

in the mid 70s to early 80s when i was doing band duty- i had 2fender pbasses [one fretless]a u.s made b.c rich eagle,a washburn,a 77 ric 4001and a custom made prs bass i didnt even know anything about[its probably worth a mint now]prs is only about two hours from me ,anyway having the variaty was great i never got bored.

grayk · Post by **grayk** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:57 pm

In an earlier post in this thread I was quite scathing of Fenders build quality. Mark, I dont think you can compare Custom shop stuff to stock. It is always going to be head and shoulders above.
Rics also have some build quality issues, that cannot be denied. Overall though Rics are in a different league to Fender. I wish Fender would raise their game a bit though to be honest. The fact that they are lacking in areas can only be good for Ric though surely ? I also think its great that Ric havent started manufacturing outside of the US, or put out a cheaper Korean made version of any of its models. If they did it would cheapen the image and make them more run of the mill like some other manufacturers.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:22 pm

I like Rics and P-Basses. Rick seems to have a bad rap with the "average" bassist because they look at guys like Squire and Geddy Lee and feel it's not their style to play that way so, the Ric sound is not for them. I'd like to blindfold those guys and show them the tonal range I'm able to get with my project 4001. IMO, the results from that project were only obtainable because of the construction of the bass, as well as the versatility of the parts I was able to use(without routing and/or other weird mods).

You start changing fingerboards,pickups,bridges on a P-Bass, you'll find it very difficult to get and end result you're happy with.

As far as a stock bass for the price, again, Rickenbacker is superior. You'd have to get a re-issue or custom shop P-Bass to get the workmanship and quality of your average new Rickenbacker.

What I'd really like to see, is the 4004 get into more hands. IMO, the stores like Guitar Center and Sam Ash would have to stock and display them for that to happen. Some type of celebrity endorsement wouldn't hurt as well.

henny · Post by **henny** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:25 am

"Mark, I dont think you 2can compare Custom shop stuff to stock...(...).."

Oh, of course.

But - the best of Fender compares to just about the standard of Rickenbacker, anyway! - thus, there is no comparison in the first place between Fender stock and Ric...?

Bleah.