Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello, this is my first-ever bass-related post. I don't play bass, have never played bass, but I need a bass. I use my friends to do bass on my songs, but they are practically unavailable due to the time-suckage of fatherhood. Anyway, I am thinking I will either get an American Fender Jazz or a 4003. Both are similar in price range. Can anyone share their opinions on the two types, and what are the major differences ? It's fine if you are biased, just tell me why !!

Okay, since you asked, I'll give you my opinion. First of all, I've been a bass player for 20+ years. I prefer Ric basses for their sound, and easy playability. I also have two Fender basses......perfectly fine basses in their own right and I do occaisionally play them. I guess I like the neck on my Rickenbacker 4003 better than on my Jazz or Precision basses as well as the killer looks.
Another reason I would buy a RIC over FMIC is that while some Fender basses are really great players.....some ain't! Manufacturing huge numbers of instruments sometimes means more inconsistant Q.C. (in my opinion) vs. Rickenbacker who manufactures in small batches in one factory by a few people. The quality seems to be more consistant in Ricks.
Just my 2 cents worth!

I agree! Rickenbacker basses are much more consistant in quality, and quality of sound!

I've played bass for almost 30 years, and Rickenbacker basses are more consistant in quality, and quality of sound.

Sorry for the double post.

If you can try both out locally you'll know which you prefer instantly.
Go with whatever is most comfortable.
Both have a range of sounds which the other can't really reproduce, so it's apples & oranges in this case.
If you like the J better, be sure you play the one you buy first!
If the 4003, then find one in a color you like & get it.
As has already been said, the quality is more consistent with Ricks.

Of course, you know we're somewhat biased here

Not to mention the resale value if one day you decide to sell.
You can pick a used Fender for a heck of a lot cheaper than a Ric bass, unless the Fender is a Custom Shop.

Good points, they both seem like really good basses. I currently have two loaners at home, a Squier bass and my friend's 4001 from about 1980. The Ric is buzzing and not playing so well, I need to set it up for him. Not sure if I should judge the Ric based on this, the Squier plays like butter ! The funny thing is, I LIKE playing bass - it's fun !!!

Also important is what type of sound you're looking for for your material.

To me, the most important difference is the comfort of playing, ergonomics. I feel a Fender is immediately comfortable to play, a 4001/4003 needs some time to get used to. The bridge cover..., the tailpiece with damper..., even with the bridge cover removed it seems a little strange. Soundwise: You can make a 4001/3 sound like a Fender, but you can't make a Fender sound like a 4001/3. Like Kevin just said: What kind of sound are you looking for?

I think that if you ask a "which is better Ric or Fender?" on a Rickenbacker forum it is likely that the answers that you get won't be totally unbiased.
I asked a similar "which is better on toast? butter or margarine?" on the butter forum, guess what they said?
But saying that, I think that my Rickenbacker basses are better than my Fender basses!!!

Having owned both, I'd say buy an new Ric and try to find a used Fender as a backup, for two reasons:
1. Old Fenders sell for less than old Rics.
2. Neither will take the place of the other.
Fenders simply don't have the low end of the Rics, but with a set of Rotos you can get a pleasing clank out of them. In my experience no Ric right out of the box will sound like a Fender, although it can be done. They are not as punchy as a Fender in the same way a Fender is not as boomy as a Ric. Back in the early '70s I used a 4001 and a P bass as the needs of the songs dictated. We covered Yes, Deep Purple, ELP and the prog-rock of that era, but we also did Stones and even some boogie stuff that demanded the Fender sound. The great thing about Fender is that even their cheaper basses sound virtually just like the American made ones.

Steve, I'm biased, but I do own both. Ric all the way.

In my opinion, the only two basses anyone would ever need if they wanted ultimate versatility would be a Rickenbacker 4003 and a Fender Jazz Bass . . . I guess one or both could be 5-strings. I like both of them, but, personally, I can most of the sounds I want on a Ric, and I prefer the ergonomics of the Ric to the J-bass (though the thin neck on J-basses is wonderful) . . . the Fender is probably a better bet if you wanna just play EVERYTHING with minimal tweaking of your amp or controls, but if you get a Ric set up exactly how you want it, nothing in the world will sound better.

I'm probably a bit biased towards the Ric as well simply because a J-bass is not like in my top 10 "Dream Basses" . . . I definitely wouldn't mind owning one, and if I did, I probably would hold on to it, but I don't foresee going out and buying one. Just play as many examples of both as you can, and get the specific one that feels and sounds best to you . . . and remember, the amp you play through makes a HUGE difference.

If you like to be different, stand out, or play rock... get a ric.

If you want a standard jack of all trades bass that can do just about any style of music well... get a jazz.

Most people I know find a jazz to be more comfortable to play at first (thin neck, no treble pickup surround to get in the way)... but I always get the tone and looks compliments for my rics (but I play rock).

Rics have a slightly shorter scale than a jazz... good for smaller hands, but then the newer ones have thicker necks... I would say the necks are at par.

A jazz has wider string spacing... making slapping easier. On the other hand picking would be easier on the ric.

I prefer having the pickup selector switch on the ric... allows for fast tone changes while playing.

For the money, a lot more work and care seems to go into a ric. I think that for the quality of build, they are a bargain.

I find is much easier playing high notes on a ric as a jazz gets huge near the body and then you hit that damn neck heel. Every note on a ric fretboard is easy and comfortable to reach.

In the end, try out both... but don't decide immediatly. Rics are more for people who like flare, but a jazz is a safer choice. Flare is not for everyone.

Rics and Jazzes are my 2 favorite bass designs... everyone should have one of each (I have 3 rics and 1 jazz).