Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

For my sins I own and gig with a Fender P, Fender J, RIC 4001 & RIC V63 (prototype). From my experience the 2 instruments that stand out have having a real hallmark to their sound are the Fender P & the RIC 4001.

Both of these can be made to sound a bit more like other basses, but both of these have a unique sound as well. The Jazz I can make sound a bit like a RIC, the V63 I can make sound a bit like a Fender P. In fact the V63 is now my first choice for a very wooden, organic sustained voice, a bit like Eberhard Webber (sp?).

I have found that most instruments, with a bit of EQ can be made to sound a bit like others. Listen to John Entwistle, he made a Fender P sound like a Gibson Thunderbird and vice versa. I love the very wooden sound he got out of his 4005 on The Kids Are Allright.

Bob

try to listen to The Seeker...the 4005 sound is there
really cool!

I do use a pick yes, Ed.

Hm - maybe it's a live thing - maybe their idea of how a Ric sounds is entirely misconstrued.

Still, made me think a bit.

When Kansas first hit big everyone thought it was a Ric, Kramer aimed for the Ric (RW actually) market, as the Rics were having problems with the high tension of them. All basses that I know of came stock with flats at that time except Kramer and I think Kramer was the first to embrace RW's as RW's were still being gradually accepted by a lot of players, I had switched to Rotos around 1972 (Rotos were the first and only RW's for some years that I knew of anyway, Rotos were to RW's like Fridgadaire was to refrigerator). I think if he was not a Kramer endorser Hope was the first known bass player to use Kramer, this was big news to most bass players of the time, as the RW sound was 100% linked to Rickenbacker at the time, which proved to be a boon and a blessing for them at the same time. Hope was using them prior to their big hit (Carry on Wayward Son) though which featured the Kramer prominently in the mix. I also believe that this song has had the bass dulled down since it was re-issued on CD, the original was much more trebly and prominent. This is all my humble opinion from my perspective at the time which may or may not be entirely correct. Everyone hated the Kramers because the necks were cold against the hand. They and the real trebly RW sound kind of fizzled during the early 80's. Nowadays most of the younger players don't realize that flats sound just as good and much more solid than RW's because bass has been all RW since the early 80's except for a lot of the studio recordings.

A Ric can sound just about any way you want it to sound, Squire's sound is HIS sound, Lee's sound is HIS sound. My sound in nothing like those two guys even though both have very unique and distinctive sounds which are great for what they do. I get pretty much the same sound no matter what bass I play, I happen to like Rics and Fenders. Rics first especially when it comes to new ones. Rics have consistently gotten better sounding and playing and fenders have gotten worse in both respects IMHO.

Mark,

Does your P-bass have a maple neck, and ash body? These tend to sustain and punch more Rick'ish than a roseboard and alder body does. IMO.

Yep Rics have gotten better and fenders are getting worse ...

Even the late 70's vintage Fenders look good when compared with the current production. We used to laugh at the consistently poor quality of Fenders from '77 on now they represent "better" times. The prices of those instruments these days are obscene.

Kevin, mate - Swampash Body, Rosey f/board.

"Yep Rics have gotten better and fenders are getting worse ..."

Played a post-2004 Fender USA Precision, Jwr2?/Ted?

The best they've been sounding for a LONG time... and it seems Fender have started to listen to their customers.

Their pickups are FIEREY hot and the general build quality has improved a lot!

I was considering a new (American) J along with the Laredo...obviously the Laredo won out. But I liked the new J. Except for the S-1 switch which seemed cheesy. It did a little to the tone but seemed to be **** quality. But the rest of the instrument was rather fine.

In the end I was just gassing too much for a 4004. I already have a J, albeit a MIJ...but it's fretless and serves it's purpose. Very happy about my choice!

I have played several Fenders at Guitar Center over the last year. A few were ok but for the most part they were kind of sloppy and haphazard. Of course, GC does not know much about proper guitar setup so many of them were unplayable as they hung on the wall. Perhaps the newest ones are better. The basses I tried were MIA and a bit pricey so I expected good quality that was not there.

That's been my point of contention for quite a while, Ted. I think for the $100-200 price difference, you get a far better-built bass in the 4003 as compared to a P-Bass. I've noticed a few shoddy Fenders as of late and I hope it's not a trend since it seems like the brand is doing much better under FMIC ownership. I preach that to all who will listen over at the Fender Forum. I'm surprised I haven't been booted from that site yet.

"... I'm surprised I haven't been booted from that site yet"

The FDP is a very Ric-friendly forum. Even the moderator has a v63.

Being new to playing Ric's ,I remember my first impression that my '76 jazz sound's much like the 4001 in certian settings with round wounds on both.
As far as ease of playing and quality goes I'm in favor of the Ric.This isn't to say that the jazz is a P.O.S. by any means as I have 4 of them;I just think it's all in your style,settings and aural perspective.I guess I'll have to find some more 4000 series basses to compare.Yes,I know the above is a crock but hey,I'm just looking for an excuse later on this year to get my paws on a 4003 BTW and off subject, Didn't Entwistle play the famous "Frankenbass" on the Live at Leed's Album?

Certainly, the $200 or so more I paid for the Laredo was well worth it compared to a new American J. No argument there.

Plus the Fireglo finish blows away anything that the new J's come in. Strictly a cosmetic consideration, but another plus for RIC.

Ease of playing...to me they are both about the same, although the little I've been able to play the Laredo (next Wednesday will be the first full rehearsal I get to use it) it seems to be the easiest playing bass I've ever played. But my J and my 4001 to me are equally comfortable.

I guess since the J is fretless it's a little more challenging to play, but not any less comfortable.