Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm just thankful a music store sales guy insisted I try the 4003. When I picked it up, I thought the neck was too thick from front to back, but the narrower width seemed to more than make up for it. It was the best advice I've ever gotten in a music store!

Alembic necks are also very nice and do not flare out.

I've only played one Alembic and it was a nice neck, but I find them highly unattractive. Never been tempted to own one.

I like the Alembic John Entwhistle model ...

Let me guess......it costs $5000? The Alembic I played was a used Stanley Clark model. My other problem is a "modern" look in basses. I've been gravitating toward vintage or older styles and don't care as much for the look of the Alembics...or the price! You could get a lot more bass for your money with a Ric any day!

Alembic will make anything your heart desires, probably even vintage. Let's not talk about how much...if you have to ask,...

I had an Alembic Spoiler with Entwistle's Exploiter body shape; I turned it into a fretless!

Well, the one I played wasn't so much better I'd pay the kind of money they were asking. As for price, I always ask. Would be foolish to do otherwise.

I'd rather have a cutom built Ric than an Alembic any day. Just a matter of taste.

Ah, the ol' RIC Custom Shop!

It was a rhetorical point. Didn't work.

Actually I feel that my Ricks are every bit as good as any booteek bass builder's basses.

I agree, I think the build quality of my 4003 is excellent and that thing is built like a rock. BTW, when I said custom, I was referring to the high end Limited Editions that Ric makes once in awhile (like a 4001CS). I would love to grab one of those someday when I have the extra loot. That would be a much better buy than an Alembic IMHO.

In terms of resale value, Alembics are a very bad deal, and Rics are among the best investments in a bass. Of course I'm not comparing to a mint 59 flame top Les Paul or pre-war D-45's, I'm talking about selling a 2, 3, maybe 10 year old bass. Not one-in-a-million guess that you have to wait a life time to make a profit.

Are we done talking about neck widths or am I hijacking the thread? if so, I apologize.

Nope, not a hijacking at all, we just sort of evolved into this interesting territory.

I agree with you Ilan. I see Alembics on eBay just stting there all the time, often not selling, while the Rics, aged 10 years or more, fetch good prices and move very nicely. Even newer 4003s at least sell around their usual retail.

A lot of the used non-Ric high end basses people decide to sell after 6-12 months don't do so well and lose a significant portion of their value during the first year or two. Not unlike a car that depreciates 20% as soon as you drive it off the lot! In fact, I don't see the boutique basses doing well in many auctions even if they are considered "vintage" or older.

A Ric is always a good investment and fun to play/own.

a ric is the original boutique bass,made the same way by the same people, in the same factory, using 95% homemade parts, all overseen by the same family that has owned the company for 40 to 50 years. nothing else looks like a ric, nor sounds like a ric...and for a very fair price, compared to the bevy of high priced boutiques out there.
i own a fender p & a ric 4003. that's all i need.

I know of no other brand that has such a loyal following ... there is no substitute for Rickenbacker ...