I am in love again

[gibsonlp]

Hi guys,
A story I'd like to share:

For the past 2 years I've been playing bass with some friends in a band that never managed to take off (not enough rehearsals, etc...)
I used my beloved 72 4001 and I love it.
About a month ago I started playing with a new (serious) band.
A week ago my bridge pickup stopped working, it's probably a loose wire as it goes on and off if I move some wires around, I'll fix it soon.
So, for the last rehearsal I took out another Rickenbacker - my 4003 which was my "backup" Rick bass that was not used for years, actually - it was never used with a real band as I started playing bass in a band only 2 years ago - with my 4001...

Now - here is the thing, all those years I've been buying instruments without playing them as much as I wanted. I always thought my 4003 is "too modern" or "not as good as my 4001" not to mention "the thick neck".
This time I just played it instead of talking.
What can I tell you?
The sound? - FANTASTIC!
The feel? - FANTASTIC!
The neck? - FANTASTIC!

I am in love again, I think I'll give it some more play time even after I'll fix my 4001.

The moral of the story is that people should stop talking about instruments like I did and start PLAYING.

[kiramdear]

Well said, Gil. I heartily agree. If I spent this time playing instead of typing, for example ...

I've been in love with my 320 for 26 years, and it's an affair that's never going to end.

"Have you hugged your Ricks today?"

[winston]

When I play bass I am always torn between my 4001 and my 4003. Even with the fatter neck my 4003 wins every time when it comes to recording............I am so used to getting "that tone" that it produces consistently. I do love my 4001 though so I wont accept any offers to take it off my hands.

Speaking of being in love again......my JG 360v64 has been my go to guitar for months since I finally sorted out some intermittent intonation issues that have plagued it ever since I bought it. I have always loved the look of the guitar and now I love how it plays and sounds.

[jimk]

I've been in love with my 320 for 26 years, and it's an affair that's never going to end.

"Have you hugged your Ricks today?"

"I'm so lonesome, I could cry."

[ilan]

Is that the Fireglo you once brought over?

[rickfan60]

I bought a 4001AG back in 1981 because the color was unusual. It was a backup to my JG 4001s at the time mostly because the low end was just not there. It actually bothered me to play it because of its lack of balls. A few years ago I made some changes to the bridge/tailpiece and all of a sudden it had low end. For the first time in nearly 30 years I actually enjoyed playing that bass! If I had only known how to fix it back then. It is now one of my favorites and I have rubbed the matte finish on the neck and parts of the body to near gloss. The Autumnglo looks more like Walnut these days.

I can certainly relate to falling in love again.

[ozover50]

Funny how things like this happen. Last night I uncased a few of my 'special' Ricks just to see how they were after some summer heat and gave my 1997, 360v64, 330DCM and Monty Brown 330 a bit of a workout.

You can easily get into a bit of a rut and just stick to your favourites (in my case 350v63s) and ignore the other delights in the guitar cupboard.

WOW!! I gotta play them things more often!!

[gibsonlp]

Is that the Fireglo you once brought over?

Yup

[rickfan60]

You are right Howard. I usually pack the '63 up for the winter as the dry air here in the Chicago area causes it to have a little up bow. I woke it from its winter nap to snap some pictures and while it was out I plugged it in and played it for a few minutes. I sometimes forget how great it sounds.

[paologregorio]

Yep; as big a fan as I am of a nice, slim necked instrument, I 've had the opportunity to play one of the so called "fat necked" 4003s. I thought it felt fantastic and played as easily as any bass I've ever tried out, and I've owned a `79 JG 4001, and currently own a GL J-bass, both basses of the slim necked persuasion.

[cassius987]

A little related--neither of my Rics have necks as thin as my Jazz Bass, which I used to regard as the easiest bass to play. I got it out the other day to set it up (probably going to sell it--I am not a session bassist so I don't need a big army of instruments, and besides, I want a P Bass instead ) and I was shocked to find that it was very awkward to play, even at a very good relief. I have gotten so used to the feel of the Ric necks--probably from playing the FL constantly--that my hand doesn't like it if it's much different...

Who knew? Getting used to these necks, and now coming to prefer them, is probably the nail in the coffin for my Jazz Bass, even as great a bass as it is.

[rickaddict]

A little related--neither of my Rics have necks as thin as my Jazz Bass, which I used to regard as the easiest bass to play. I got it out the other day to set it up (probably going to sell it--I am not a session bassist so I don't need a big army of instruments, and besides, I want a P Bass instead ) and I was shocked to find that it was very awkward to play, even at a very good relief. I have gotten so used to the feel of the Ric necks--probably from playing the FL constantly--that my hand doesn't like it if it's much different...

Who knew? Getting used to these necks, and now coming to prefer them, is probably the nail in the coffin for my Jazz Bass, even as great a bass as it is.

Exact same experience here, Joshua. My Jazz Bass was a great bass, but I eventually had to sell it. I can play the Ricks blindfolded. The JB balances differently, has different string spacing at the bridge, different spacing at the nut, the tapering neck, and the longer scale length, etc. Great bass, but the way I see it, it wasn't doing me any favors to switch back and forth. It was just confusing my hands!