Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When I used to play 4001/4003 basses the binding would chafe my right forearm. Anybody ever use a forearm guard while playing one of these ? What kind ?

Yes I do!

I use Nike Swoosh Wristband

I have seen it at Metallica's Singer.

I don't need no cumbersome wristbands. My bass feels delicious!

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

I just have a permanent groove in my forearm.

I guess it must be the position I hold my bass in, my forearm never touches the binding.

cjj wrote:I guess it must be the position I hold my bass in, my forearm never touches the binding.

Same here.

Threads that start with a title that suggest there is something so terribly wrong with Rickenbacker basses, like we need protection from them, really have to stop. The title of the thread has been edited.
Before I had a 5 string Rick bass, I would use StingRay5 basses and even then I would use an arm band because I hate sweating on and sticking to my bass when I'm playing. I played a 5 string almost 100% of the time when I was in the band that this picture was taken. Then I finally got a Rick S/5 to play in that band no binding, but again, I wore an armband so my sweat didn't make me stick to to bass when playing. I've never had a problem with the binding bothering into my forearm when I'm playing.

VRICKY63 wrote:When I used to play 4001/4003 basses the binding would chafe my right forearm. Anybody ever use a forearm guard while playing one of these ? What kind ?

I don't share this personal experience. I have a groove on my arm for a half-minute after I've been playing for a long time, but I don't feel any pain or sensation there and most of the time I don't even notice it's there--especially on a gig. I must be made out of different material than other humans because the whole "binding hurts me thing" never happens to me and I gig out with bound instruments a lot... I used to move back and forth between a Stingray, and Ric, and a Jazz Bass and never notice a difference in the way my right arm felt.

Now, here's something I DO wear in the winter time in order to alleviate mild tendonitis: a wrist warmer on my right wrist. As it so happens, when I do wear it, it blocks the binding from touching my skin, so maybe you can check one of those out--and kill two birds with one stone.

Still, I'm not sure why the binding is hurting people. But we are all different, so maybe some of us have more or less fat or muscle or other tissue... or are just less sensitive... I dunno. Good luck in your quest, I would suggest a wrist warmer to kill two birds.

VRICKY63 wrote:When I used to play 4001/4003 basses the binding would chafe my right forearm. Anybody ever use a forearm guard while playing one of these ? What kind ?

I've never had that problem while playing standing up. It does happen sometimes when I play seated but it is the exception and not the rule.

That's really it Ted. I play seated 95% of the time so my forearm is on the bass binding. I love the 4001/4003s. Just looking for some suggestions from fellow players who may use the same position I do. No RIC bashing............PLEASE !

It doesn't happen to me when I play seated so much either (whenever I am practicing and some of my jazz gigs in the coffeehouse sort of venue); but again I would say that a wrist warmer would probably alleviate it while keeping your right hand happy.

Of my 3 Ric basses only 1 has binding(4003), and it gets a lot less stage time than my 4001S. My 4001CS is "retired".

I love my Ric 4003 and am not too bothered by the crease on my arm from the binding, but I get unusually warm when I play, and I am a sweater, so I am intrigued about the wristband/armband suggestion. BTW, my forearm routinely stick to my Fenders, but not my Ric.

Now if I only can stop scratching/cutting my finders on the bridge knobs!! [Ouch, I'm still wearing a scab from my last gig four days ago.]

My LK is bound and it isn't an issue. My Laredo (unbound) is more comfortable however but I don't let the LK's binding edge cause me any concern.

centralbeatbass wrote:Now if I only can stop scratching/cutting my finders on the bridge knobs!! [Ouch, I'm still wearing a scab from my last gig four days ago.]

Ahhhh, cutting oneself on a Ric brings back such fond memories.......