Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently read a post, that happend to hit one of my hot buttons.

An excerpt:
"It's a challenge we always seem to face, that when we satisfy one group of people, another group is made unhappy, and the main reason we don't make too many changes even when we know well there are improvements that we could make."

Which group of people were you trying to satisfy by pulling all 5-string bass production, with little or no explanation, and or, no time line for a re-introduction? I mean, if making people happy "is" what you are trying to do.

Just curious.

Probably the people who are waiting for a c64, or a FL, or........

They still have a 5 string 4004 on the website, so technically they are still making a 5 string bass. Or maybe not, they still have acoustics on the website too.

Agreed. do you know how many people were upset when the 75th anniversary guitars came out?

"but what about my guitar that's already on order, now it gets bumped and takes even longer???"

12 string Headstock, huge improvement, some people still hate it!

captsandwich wrote:Probably the people who are waiting for a c64, or a FL, or........

They still have a 5 string 4004 on the website, so technically they are still making a 5 string bass. Or maybe not, they still have acoustics on the website too.

Try ordering one. Just for fun. Technically they are not.

It wouldn't surprise me if they quit producing the 4004, too. The only consistent run of those seems to be for NAMM, and then it's only three (TG,TB, and TR). When you figure the orders for 4003s, 330s and 360s dwarf others, I can understand it.

If there was just at least one popular, influential bassist playing a 4004, the amount of orders for the 4004 would go crazy.

They tried with Paul, but...... dang EC!

tennis_nick wrote:12 string Headstock, huge improvement, some people still hate it!

I WISH my 381/12 had the new headstock!

So, do you full time bassists prefer the thicker or the thinner headstock? I like thin myself.

I like the thinner headstock of the 4001 and 4004, the current 4003 just looks too bulbous to me. Might optically apppear a little less bulbous with the walnut wings.

I prefer the thinner necks.

rickenbrother wrote:If there was just at least one popular, influential bassist playing a 4004, the amount of orders for the 4004 would go crazy.

Actually there is. It is even played by the player who made me buy Ricks in the first place. There is a 4004 LK. But I still wont buy 4004's as they seem to have a wider neck and the excellent hand rest somehow is not on it anymore.

big wings, small headstocks.

I got a PM from John Hall regarding my comment above. My opinion was spoken out of ignorance and a little frustration for the long wait for my bass. In short, it appears comments like mine have stopped him from posting on this forum. Sorry everybody. I'll do my best to keep from repeating my mistake.

nukebass wrote:I got a PM from John Hall regarding my comment above. My opinion was spoken out of ignorance and a little frustration for the long wait for my bass. In short, it appears comments like mine have stopped him from posting on this forum. Sorry everybody. I'll do my best to keep from repeating my mistake.

Ryan your 4004 will be worth the wait, at least in my opinion. I think the are great basses. I doubt that RIC will drop the 4004 basses. As I have said to others who are waiting on a Rickenbacker instrument, it's really a nice thing to be waiting on a Rickenbacker instrument.
I'm one of many who enjoy John Hall's contributions to the forum. We've all learned quite a bit from him. It get's me P-O'ed when he is shown disrespect here, especially if it's done repeatedly from someone who should know better.
There are occasionally posts put on this forum that have me shaking my head and making me wanting to take a break from here, which I've done sometimes, like the post that started this thread...and anyone here that knows me well, knows I'm holding back quite a bit, because if i said what I'd really like to say,...
I should start my own thread, would really P-O at least a coiple of people here, but I'll shut up now and take a forum break.

Hey Ryan, no worries about JH. Think Bobby Knight, a brilliant captain but won't take a shot over the bow with a gentle wave. I miss his appearances here as he often would dispense "head nuggies" to hecklers. I can't help but admire a CEO who cares enough to take the time to "school" us up in the cheap seats. I believe he grew weary of us savages long before your post. I think if he is ever able to build enough instruments to keep up with demand he may return.