Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This thread has more twists than a dime store novel.
To get in on each bit if I can remember:
Bought my first guitar ('64 Strat in early 70's) because Jimi played one. Bought my first bass (late 60's or early 70's 4001) Ric bass because Squire played one. All the while a die hard Beatle fan.
Recently sold my BMW with 254,000 miles on it. Tight as a drum not a problem anywhere.
Been to Vietnam 3 times in last 5 years for pleasure. Didn't see any guns, but I know they execute drug dealers and you can go to church whenever you want.
Never broke a guitar but was tempted to smash my three rics after recieving a weird email from some one on this forum.

Phil wrote "I can make the ReBop sound like a StingRay, P-bass, J-bass, or Spector, and a few others. The 4004 always sounds like a nice 4004. The ReBop cost just over half of what the 4004 cost. If the 4004 is excellent value, what shall I consider the ReBop?"

Consider it to be anything you want it to be, maybe the "people's bass" would work? It sounds like it's just a matter of time before all other bass manufacturers are out of business. <tongueplantedfirmlyincheek>

As the owner/operator of both a 4004C and 4004C-ii I don't find the sound of either that limited when coupled with a good flexible pre-amp. They sound like Rickenbackers which is what I was expecting when I bought them.

I don't think RIC has ever wanted their basses to be all things to all people nor do I think they've ever aspired to "sounding like" other companies instruments. Maybe I'm missing the point here....

I buy and play Rickenbacker basses because of the way they play, sound and look.
In my humble experience the only competition that I would acknowledge is the other bassists that want to buy the same RIC I do.

Well, everybody has their "favorite" whatever. Rick basses have an incredibly good "core" sound. The ReBop was made for versatility, and I don't really know what it's "core" sound is other than both pickups full on and both tone controls flat, or should they be placed halfway up from flat? Don't know, don't care. If a person HAD to play anything that was requested of him during a gig or studio session, I can understand why a lot of Spectors get used in recording studios. If a person just wanted to float off into a Rick bass vibe, I could understand that also. One bassist said that he always took two basses to any session. A bass that would be considered most appropriate for the predominant style (P-bass, J-bass, Rick, StingRay, whatever) and if that didn't get the sound the producer wanted, he grabbed the Spector that always was the other bass because it had the most versatility. The Spector is a great "other bass" because it saves you from buying a lot of "other basses" to go with your fave bass in order to get lots of tonal range. I think the Aguilar OBP-1 preamp has a lot to do with its tonal range as well. I'm thinking of getting the outboard version, the DB-924, to increase the tonal range of the 4004 and the OLP's. It's a simpler circuit than the RBI, sounds quieter when the treble is turned up, and has a more fat vintage vibe. Costs a LOT less as well.

Philco,

You gotta start an OLP forum somewhere (else)

Wow! This topic sure took off.

I remember reading Jeff Berlin saying that during the Dean endorsement time he used the exact Jeff Berlin model they were selling with the only modifications being a fret height reduction filing and a setup.

Jerry,
You're receiving wierd emails???
From who, I wonder?

Jerry,
I'm curious, too.

Just one. I'd rather not say. But it made me regret having just purchased my first new Ric.

Jerry,
Without being specific as to who it was, or the details, all I can think is someone said you overpayed, or the particular instrument had something wrong with it that wasn't mentioned (if it was purchased online). It's none of my business, but you probably have alot of people curious, and maybe you want to get it off your chest in a way comfortable for you without mentioning names. Just a thought.

Well, I hope that wierd email didn't involve any nude pics with a Ric. That would be wierd!!!

without going into details, maybe you could let us know whether the "weird" info you received turned out to be true or not, and whether it's something the rest of us should be concerned with?

The guitar is fine and the price was very good. Sorry I brought this up and that's that.

He's probably referring to the fact that I zinged him awhile back over some posts that I didn't find as funny as he did. No big deal at this point, in any case, maybe a difference in our respective sense of humor.

Now, if it's chix pix with RIC's, then it's required that I get a copy. For business reference purposes, of course.

Well done, Paul! Is that one of those Rickenbacker SPC guitar stands I've heard so many good things about?