Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

. . . or should I see a psychiatrist?

In the past five to six months I've owned a Hofner Ignition B bass, a Yamaha RBX-375, and a Classic Vibes 50's Telebass, and I've sold them all because they don't really sound, feel, and play as well as my 83 and 96 4003 basses. I've even played a custom Benavente/Low End Jazz 5 which is generally a 3 thousand dollar bass, and even then I wasn't really impressed by it. Is it because I've been playing my 83 for 16 years? I don't actually have this problem when it comes to guitars just basses it seems. Anyone else have this issue?

You're not alone!

I went through a stage after extended Ric ownership of 'experimentation'. Sold the Rics, and just felt like a change.

Tried the usual suspects - Jazz, Precision, even a Jaguar.

After feeling lost with all of them, I returned to the fold. Now have 2 4003's. The Ric's I love.

Playing other basses, I always felt a little untrue to myself.....I just felt like I should be playing a Ric. If anyone is going to see me play, I want them to see me with the Ric, as it's really part of me! Other basses just look and sound to normal and unimpressive.

At one gig with a Jazz, I was pictured for the then-bands website. I just looked wrong with anything else and they refused to change the picture - as much as I window shop and try, I can't shake this thing off either!

spongebob wrote:You're not alone!

I know the feeling...My 2nd EVER bass was a 1980 4001JG, had her about 4 or 5 years then part-ex'd her for a Wal Pro2 at the local music store.
Time wore on and more & more I began to miss her however, before taking the plunge to get another, the band split & I didn't play for about 15 years.
One relationship breakdown later & I'm on my own & thinking about the "fun" times of the 80s - only one thing to do get another 1980JG.
A bonus to this is, of course, the fact that I still have the Wal (not to mention 3 other Ricks & way too many "others") ....

I've recently come to the conclusion that I need not play anything but Rics for a lonnng time. My 4003 was my 1st (technically 2nd, but let's not count the Schecter..) bass and I knew when I got it that it was better than me. But after almost 8 years of practicing, performing, and recording with it I have learned to appreciate all of its subtle intricacies and brute strengths. It is a bass I have truly grown with and, it may sound a little strange, but I feel the Ric has actually taught me a lot and it has certainly helped shape my identity as a bass player. And need I even mention the style and class of the 4003?

Next up is a v63, 4003s, or if I can find one to try out, a Laredo!

They're nice basses.

As a kid I was pining and whining for years to get a Ric bass. Happy day when I finally had the scratch to get one.

The answer to the question is I sure hope so............because I only want to play and hear Rick basses on my recordings.

Prowl wrote:Do they have AA for Rick bass owners . . .

If there is, I ain't goin'!!

rickenbrother wrote:

Prowl wrote:Do they have AA for Rick bass owners . . .

If there is, I ain't goin'!!

I agree.............you should be holding the meeting.

mad_phingers wrote:It is a bass I have truly grown with and, it may sound a little strange, but...it has certainly helped shape my identity as a bass player.

I strongly agree with this statement.

Playing anything else compromises my identity as a bass player. Over the last 28 years my playing style has grown around my 4001 and without one (or a 4003), I'm simply not as good.

winston wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:

Prowl wrote:Do they have AA for Rick bass owners . . .

If there is, I ain't goin'!!

I agree.............you should be holding the meeting.

Anyone trying to break a Rickenbacker habit will not succeed at meeting I hold. My meetings are called; SCARF, Ricktoberfest...

Same here even though I own other basses, it was always the Rickenbacker 4001 / 4003 that really grabbed my attention & I still feel the same way. 22 years after seeing & playing my friends Jetglo 4001, it is still my favorite make of bass guitar full stop.

How does the song go, "If there's a cure for this I don't want it.....".

The ONLY cure is to BUY MORE!

You DO need a backup, a backup for your backup is a good idea too. Then another so you can have a RIC setup with FLATS, don't forget one with ROUND WOUNDS. One for alternate tuning, etc...etc....do I paint an unrealistic picture here?



.....then one with a HS & Toaster, one with Toasters only, and while we're at it, one with Humbuckers, then one with a humbucker and a toaster...............................................................

I don't know about AA, but I think Bellevue is calling!!