Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

If I had one, it would be used for every gig.

Peter, I think they will be rare because there weren't many of them made and will command premium prices because of collectors, but I don't think they will ever be a "classic" say like a 4005 or an early 4001. Those basses were not intenional classics like the limited run basses are. A limited run makes a guitar or bass more desirable mainly because it is hard to get and not necessarily because it is a great bass although it may be. The old Rics are classics because they were great basses and made a lot of historic music and are associated with so many great players. The Ric 4001/3 is one of the top two or three all-time classic basses made along with P basses, Jazzes and old Gibsons. There are no other basses really in that same league. The 4005 is a classic because it is a beautiful bass, is old and also is associated with some famous players.
I don't think Lemmys and Chris Squires are ever going to be sought after like the preceding basses are. The early Rics are just going to keep going up in price, I don't see that happening to these. One more thing is that just about any Ric bass player would love to have an old 4001 or 4005, I don't see that with Lemmys ar Squires either. I think they have kind of a limited consumer base, collectors and fans.

I love the sound of old mudbucker Gibsons, but they are a totally different playing and feeling bass than a single coil Ric. Single coil basses are hot and can be played almost out of control, they scream and distort and bend to your will if you get to that point, humbuckers on the other hand are much better mannered, thay are cool and never sweat, very clear and deep. I like both, but will use single coil basses 99% of the time. Saying that I have never played nor heard a Ric humbucker.

I guess my main question about the LK would be... where do I anchor my right thumb for plucking?

I have actually wondered that about the Cheyennes and Laredos, too.

I love the 4003 because the edge of the pickguard provides the perfect thumbrest for me. The other basses don't have a pickguard, so I would have to pick one up and feel if a pickup cover would work for that purpose. It may sound trivial, but it's important enough to me that I created thumbrests for my Stingrays out of plastic, took measurements on where I anchor from on the 4003, and then superglued the thumbrest to the Stingray's pickguard. That obviously wouldn't be an option for me for the LK, Cii, or Laredo.

Brian - I know you didn't call me a jerk, but I do feel like one for having Lemmy in my collection. A lucky jerk! I'm off to a gig now, but will answer your questions soon.

Thanks Bob, great comments. Just what makes an intstrument "vintage' is a most interesting topic.

Dean. no finger plucking allowed on the LK model. i believe it's a biblical law.

....mine will only be finger plucked.....there will be no picking !!!! Besides there are plenty of other things for God to strike me down for

It won't be God it will be Lemmy!

That's blasphemy, Brian!

Lemmy IS God

Sean, man, my picking chops are definitely 'iffy.' Plucking is like second nature to me.

To get the Lemmy tone, though, I can see where a pick would be helpful. And a ton of distortion. That dude makes his bass sound like a chainsaw. Which is appropriate, for their stuff....

Tony,
I'd appreciate your answers to the following questions:

1-What's the distance (in inches or cm) between the middle pickup and the bridge? Does the middle pickup get hit by the pick if you play pick-style resting your palm closely in front of the bridge saddles?

2-How does your LK balance? Does the headstock/neck have a tendency to dive since the body wings are walnut that weigh differently from maple?

3-Has it got mono or Standard+ROS outputs?

Thank you!

I'm with you Dean. I only use a pick for certain styles, like surf music or if I'm doing a cover song that had a pronouced pick sound in it. I don't even bring any to most gigs, if I need one I ask the guitarist for one.

Pick style is sadly underrated and much maligned !!!

Choice, material, thickness, and surface finish on a pick will all audibly alter the sound you obtain, by just grabbing one at random, you're missing out on a whole vista of tone potential.

I continually get raised eyebrows at Blues gigs, first, by turning out with my Rics, and then --- Shock, Horror, Probe, Oh my gods ... he's going to use a pick .... Now, for sure I don't use a pick on everything, but on some of the songs, the pick works best !!!

I'm not putting it down, just that I've always played with my fingers so I'm about a hundred times better that way. I played guitar when I was a kid, used a pick at first but most of the players I liked all used their fingers so I did too. AM radio was very eclectic when I was young and I was attracted to the Motown guys (guy actually).