Have I become a Rickenbacker snob?

[Kopfjaeger]

I've had the hankering for a 5 string for a while. I realize Rickenbacker no longer produces a 5 string bass so I went looking to see what felt good in a 5 string. I went to the local Sam Ash looking to try a Fender Jazz 5 string. They had one in stock, an active pickup model with rosewood board and tri color sunburst. I was appalled at the width of the neck! As it hung next to ta 4 string, I knew I was not going to be happy!

I mentioned to the salesman, a bass player, that I owned Ric's and was looking for a 5 string to add a few options and open up song range. When he handed me the bass after plugging it into a Hartke amp, I knew it was not for me. I have pretty big hands and long fingers and the width at the nut was substantially larger than any of my Ric's, the width at the 12 fret was a deal breaker. I mean it was playable but it seems every comparison in feel and playability fell far short to my Ric's.

It sounded fine although I found the dual function knobs a bit confusing and the action was ****. The size of the neck killed that idea of adding a Jazz 5 string to my collection. He suggested I go to the main store in NYC, the ole Manny's, to compare a non active MIA Jazz but I'm sure the neck will have the same profile. Not acceptable in my opinion. I walked out of there shaking my head.

Sepp

[surfinmars]

Joseph, the gravitational pull of Rics will always trump the 2 x 4 feel of a Fender IMO. My P bass has been in the closet for years and will remain there as long as I will have rics. Keep scouring the usual joints and a 5 string Ric will eventually come your way!

[cjj]

Yeah, you're a Rick snob. But only because they're the best...

[Kopfjaeger]

Joseph, the gravitational pull of Rics will always trump the 2 x 4 feel of a Fender IMO. My P bass has been in the closet for years and will remain there as long as I will have rics. Keep scouring the usual joints and a 5 string Ric will eventually come your way!

2x4 neck was a very accurate description of how the Jazz 5 string felt. It looked huge hanging next to a 4 string Jazz and it felt unwieldy. How many low B songs venture near or above the 12th fret? Not sure but I'm not so sure I'd want to if I had to venture there.

Sepp

[Tarrbot]

I have a semi reverse issue.

I only have the 5 banger as my main player. The string spacing is so close as to be completely different to play than when I pick up my 4 string AEB.

It's like another world.

As far as playing songs on the B string and needing it...

I can play most songs without the B string but since I have the B string I can transpose those normal songs down to the B string and get a deeper timbre than the E string and up.

If I want a low E to BOOOM, I can play it on the B and it will BOOOOM.

It's just another piece of a tool. You don't need it but it's there when you want it.

[jps]

Sepp, try a ZON. Or, one of my Martin Keith basses.

[cassius987]

Not really fair to compare a 4-banger to a 5-string bass and say it's got something to do with the brand. There are some really solid Fenders out there (although, it's a frighteningly small proportion of them in my experience).

If you want a good 5er, maybe try a Dingwall Combustion? Mine was really comfy. However my band nearly ripped my head off for bringing something that wasn't a Ric to practice (I guess that makes THEM the snobs).

I am always looking to pick up a non-Ric to add to the collection but for the last few years, besides the brief stint with the Dingwall, I have failed at it. Rics are "that sound" for me, and "that feel" too. Still, I keep inching closer to a solid P Bass. It's going to happen some day.

[Kopfjaeger]

I do have an early 80's Fender P that sits in a case since I prefer the feel and sound of any of my Ric's to it. I was willing to try a Jazz because I remember the slim neck profile back in the late 70's and early 80's when I clubbed. The Fender Jazz 5er is a different animal altogether.

Do I need a 5'er? Nah, but I don't need 3 Ric basses either!! LOL!! Each one has their own unique sound and feel. I'll take a look at the other basses mentioned but I'm going to need to lay my hands on it to test it before plunking down cash to own it.

Sepp

[bassduke49]

Or you could find the best of both worlds. Consider a converted Rickenbacker 4004. The neck of the older 4004 four stringers is wider at the 12th fret than a typical 4003, but not by much. They are about the same at the nut. There are several folks who have converted the Cheyenne or Laredo from four to five strings and find them to be very comfortable -- not too wide, not too crammed. Take this one, for example. Several Forumites have owned it, and one of them converted it to a five-string before it came my way. It has a beautiful flamed finish and is light weight. To be honest, the width of the strings is a bit beyond the "listening" capacity of the bridge pickup; there is a bit of response fall-off on the low B and the G string there, but no response problems with the neck pickup.

If you are interested, I can consider selling it. I am no longer playing in a band and don't forsee a need for a five banger in the "Forest."

[johnallg]

Sepp, try a ZON. Or, one of my Martin Keith basses.

That could be very expensive for him.....

Much very good to say about your MK basses.

[qwezirider]

How many low B songs venture near or above the 12th fret? Not sure but I'm not so sure I'd want to if I had to venture there.

I've had so many four string Ricks and always continue to get lost on them because of playing five string basses almost exclusively since '91. I bought a 4-2-5, converted another, sold them both for reasons not related to the conversion, and bought a couple other four stringers (and extra parts) with the intent of converting them. But I lost the heart to do so somewhere down the pike.

Then I picked up one of the Musician Friend MB basses (hard to pass up that deal even if I still struggle with the missing B string) and, dawning upon me like an idiot who is slow to catch anything, decided to tune it B-E-A-D. I realized it's the lack of a B string throwing me off and that missing the G string does not bother me one bit. It's that psychological anchor of B that I needed. Everything above that just happens fine as long as I have my anchor. And of course, as pointed out to me elsewhere (perhaps Joey? I'm bad to remember), tuning like that only misses the five highest notes on a G string.

So I have found my bliss in being able to again play a Rick without getting lost at times and without converting to five strings.

Plus it's worth the odd looks from other band members trying to figure out just what in the heck I'm doing over there.

[johnallg]

Plus it's worth the odd looks from other band members trying to figure out just what in the heck I'm doing over there.

Worth the price of admission by itself!

[qwezirider]

You know it is, John! One rehearsal, you're throwing off the guitarist whilst hashing out a new tune as he watches you fingers on a fiver. The following week, on another new tune, you whip out the B-E-A-D four stringer on him. Eventually he learns to stop watching your hands.

As if I knew what I was doing in the first place.

[Hotzenplotz]

To the question directly:

It is not snobbish, You just worked out claims by using good stuff during the time!

You pointed out REAL differences in handling and comfort caused by constructional parameters. You did not talk about the brand Rickenbacker itself as a reason.


For me it is the same with computers. I use a Mac - Amen. Sometimes I have the "honour" to work with windows. Sorry, no way. The whole thing is in my sight half way. - Btw.: What is a "blue screen"?

I am sure there are a lot of fine, also real handcrafted instrument out there than Rickenbackers. In comparison they are often more expensive than a Rickenbacker, and maybe more individual. But now we can start about the charisma of a brand. And we talk about the reliability of a brand on the long run.

Congratulations, You are not (too much) snobby, You just reached a point in life.

[Kopfjaeger]

Or you could find the best of both worlds. Consider a converted Rickenbacker 4004. The neck of the older 4004 four stringers is wider at the 12th fret than a typical 4003, but not by much. They are about the same at the nut. There are several folks who have converted the Cheyenne or Laredo from four to five strings and find them to be very comfortable -- not too wide, not too crammed. Take this one, for example. Several Forumites have owned it, and one of them converted it to a five-string before it came my way. It has a beautiful flamed finish and is light weight. To be honest, the width of the strings is a bit beyond the "listening" capacity of the bridge pickup; there is a bit of response fall-off on the low B and the G string there, but no response problems with the neck pickup.

If you are interested, I can consider selling it. I am no longer playing in a band and don't forsee a need for a five banger in the "Forest."

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Cii5-2web.jpg

Paul,

Oh sure, tempt me!! You know which one of your "trees" I want!!

I've thought of stringing a BEAD bass but which one do I relegate to that? Most of the music I'd be opening up by having a low B I doubt uses the G string but it's good to have in case I want to use it to pull "double duty".

Sepp