Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey all.

Lately I have been watching a fair few current bands video clips, and in general listening to more styles of current music and bands. But what has struck me is the number of Rickenbacker bass guitars been using in bands these days! Noticeably 4003s.

I watched a top 100 songs from 2007 here in Australia the other night and It was funny to begin with, I would get super excited at the site of a Rick bass. But after a short time it seemed every 4th or 5th band had a rickenbacker. And by the end of the top 100 I had lost count of how many I saw. And then last night, I went to a local venue to see a couple of bands, and surprise surprise, two 4003s in a row. They just seem to be everywhere all of a sudden.

Basically I could keep going on about how many I have seen recently, but I found was, I didn't like this. I like my Rick obviously because of the sound, but also for its uniqueness, being able to pull it out and have people say 'wow'. I knew I wanted a Rick before I had even heard or seen one, so I obviously like the shape of it too. And I despise Fender basses, since seeminly every band has one, and that's not to say they are bad or anything. And now it seems Ricks, from I have seen are starting to get VERY popular, and I don't think I like it. I'm interested to hear what you all think about this, whether like me you enjoy Rickenbackers being in a more exclusive bass, or if you are pleased by Rickenbackers success, and would love to see them as popular as a fender let's say.

Would just like your thoughts on this.

I play mine because I love it, always have, and don't really concern myself with what anyone else is playing. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I don't see an issue with other people enjoying themselves playing the same thing I love.

Our basses, guitars, drums, keyboards, etc., are just the tools of our craft---nothing more. Of course some will always consider them "fashion"... but that is not what music and playing is about. Try to think of it this way; make your playing your musical statement. Then, when you have successfully set the world on its ear, and only then, will the public seek the tools upon which YOU created YOUR music... Jaco Pastorius' bass comes to mind. If you saw his fretless Fender Jazz Bass in a pawn shop most would run the other way... So it is not about our tools. It is totally about how we use them... That being said, I can totally identify with your feelings. When I was your age (18) I wanted a unique bass too. I ended up with an Eko 995 violin bass which was sort of a Hofner Beatle Bass rip-off. I loved that bass. I loved it so much that later in life I have sought out two of them in showroom MINT condition just to relive my teenage past life. I take them out of their case once in a while and marvel at their craftsmanship. So trust me, I know how you feel about the love of your Ric and its' uniqueness, but again, make your playing your statement, and the rest will take care of itself.

As an afterthought, I remember that in the 60's I sold Jimmy Fielder my Fender hybrid bass. Talk about UN-fashionable; It was a Fender Jazz body with a P-bass neck. I sold it to him for a few hundred bucks. It wasn't even assembled. The body, neck, pickups, and parts were in a box. He didn't care. The price was right. I was happy, and he was happy. He put it together himself. There was a lot of great music played on that box of parts, which BTW, he still uses to this day (with Neil Sedaka). (Jimmy was the bass player in Blood Sweat & Tears) So we love our tools, but they are just that....tools.

The RICs are everywhere !.......now................ This too shall pass...........and we will still be playing them

If I were playing to make a statement other than music, I'd be playing
a Dan Armstrong See Through in my birthday suit...

If I came across any FL 62 Jazz, in my local pawn store, ( or any 60's Jazz, let alone Jaco's!) that thing would be out of there faster that any modern Ric bass...

yo,rick-- "this too shall pass ..and we will still be playing them"----AMEN,brother! i move around with bass trading quite a bit,but there is always at least one rick in the pack. there really is nothing else quite like the 4000 series out there,in terms of its unique sound and feel. having said that,i also like having a fender-type bass around for variety,but can't ever seem to find a keeper.....i too have noticed a lot more rick basses and guitars being used lately,and think that's an excellent trend! (mostly seen on british shows like "later" "live from london" . there was a soundstage recently with 3 doors down (i think-didn't really care a whole lot for them)and the bass player played 2 4003's.

actually the soundstage band was lifehouse. obviously outside of the rick basses,not much of an impression was made...

Having played Fender P's for many years, I have no problem with my bass of choice being very popular. It's in the details. Everybody has a Fender bass, but I have real vintage ones, not reissues. Anybody can buy a new Fireglo 4003, but I choose to play slightly more rare and special Rics.

If I came across any FL 62 Jazz, in my local pawn store, ( or any 60's Jazz, let alone Jaco's!) that thing would be out of there faster that any modern Ric bass...

Hey Wints, I had a little chat yesterday with Robin Gibb, I told him I know who has Moe's old Ric bass...

It is simply fashion & image - instruments often go through fashion-driven popularity cycles, and for the last few years, much of the image & sound of late 70s /early 80s new wave has been revived by many current bands - along with the trends in instruments from that era.

I don't know if this means in another couple of years (assuming bass fashions are working sequentially) they'll all be playing Ibanez Musicians & Aria Pro SB1000s!

Jon.

bassassin wrote:
I don't know if this means in another couple of years (assuming bass fashions are working sequentially) they'll all be playing Ibanez Musicians & Aria Pro SB1000s!

Yes but first we have to get through Kramers and BC Riches

It doesn't matter if what you play is popular or rare. All that matters is, that it's the right bass/guitar for YOU at this juncture in time. The sounds or feel you like today might not be what you like tomorrow. Don't be concerned with what anybody else is playing. If you want a "rare' bass paint it lime green with purple polka dots. Nobody else will have one of those.

wints wrote:If I came across any FL 62 Jazz, in my local pawn store, ( or any 60's Jazz, let alone Jaco's!) that thing would be out of there faster that any modern Ric bass...

Like this one...?

ricosound wrote:Yes but first we have to get through Kramers and BC Riches

Oh, man, if I could ever get my hands back on that hot pink Kramer P-looking-like bass I once had, that weighed about 300 lbs..............

2112 wrote:

wints wrote:If I came across any FL 62 Jazz, in my local pawn store, ( or any 60's Jazz, let alone Jaco's!) that thing would be out of there faster that any modern Ric bass...

Like this one...?

Now there's a relic!