RICKENBACKER PORN

[vmaxblues]

Well I am a Rick convert, I have two 4003s/5’s a 4003s in Walnut and a recently acquired 4003BT.

Loving them!

 

 

Edited June 20, 2024 by vmaxblues

[King Tut]

There’s a 1970 4000 bass in our local music shop. Must resist!

[msb]

Those set neck 4000 basses are really nice. 

[Skybone]

Was lucky enough to pick up a Babicz replacement bridge on here a while back, and finally got around to fitting it to my other Ric (replacing the Hipshot I also bought from here).

 

It was a bit of a faff, as the saddles needed to come off to fit the saddle plate, and then getting the saddles back in and adjusted, but once in and re-strung, intonation is spot on, and the string height is lower than it was with the Hipshot.

[prowla]

1 hour ago, Skybone said:

Was lucky enough to pick up a Babicz replacement bridge on here a while back, and finally got around to fitting it to my other Ric (replacing the Hipshot I also bought from here).

 

It was a bit of a faff, as the saddles needed to come off to fit the saddle plate, and then getting the saddles back in and adjusted, but once in and re-strung, intonation is spot on, and the string height is lower than it was with the Hipshot.

Interesting…

I just don’t get the Babicz, as it only addresses one of the common complaints about the stock bridge/tailpiece combo, but not tail-lift and palm-muting (arguably it makes palm-muting worse).

It’s a shame they didn’t do a complete replacement unit. 

[msb]

I have two older Rics. They’re a little more to set , but once adjusted are incredibly stable. They both have the original bridges. Both have very slight lift and are a bit of a misery to adjust. Once set , they’re fine. I’ve had my 4001 for around 27 years and only had to adjust it twice. The adjustments were minimal. I’ve only adjusted my 4000 once , but I haven’t had it as long. I think I just had to tweak one saddle on the 4000 when I set it. 

 

[Skybone]

8 hours ago, prowla said:

Interesting…

I just don’t get the Babicz, as it only addresses one of the common complaints about the stock bridge/tailpiece combo, but not tail-lift and palm-muting (arguably it makes palm-muting worse).

It’s a shame they didn’t do a complete replacement unit. 

If you are palm muting, then the Hipshot is definitely the one to go for. The Babicz is great if you want to keep the look of the original bridge unit, but are having issues with the intonation of the original saddle piece. 

 

Definitely keeping hold of the Hipshot though, I have other plans for that.

[prowla]

4 minutes ago, Skybone said:

If you are palm muting, then the Hipshot is definitely the one to go for. The Babicz is great if you want to keep the look of the original bridge unit, but are having issues with the intonation of the original saddle piece. 

 

Definitely keeping hold of the Hipshot though, I have other plans for that.

Problem is I just don't like the Hipshot bridge on a Ric; it ruins the aesthetic.

I found a use for one I have...

Just need a pickguard and my 4000K is good to go!

[Wyrdlow]

Here's my 4003SW. Great bit of kit. We've been very happy together since 2015. ❤️

 

[vbance]

Had a little jam around an old band mates house some months ago, ended up a bit drunk then left my specs there.

Popped over to collect them today and whilst having a cuppa me mate say's "I've a bass upstairs that you used to gig with...I'll just go bring it down"

Next he hands me this 1974.... but I can't remember ever using it. He is adamant I did.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to play through an amp but will return to have a blast with it soon.

 

 

[rwillett]

Gosh, a 74 Rickenbacker. Looks lovely

[msb]

I love those 4001 basses. The necks really are gorgeous , and once you’ve set the truss rods they’re incredibly stable. 

[vbance]

18 hours ago, msb said:

I love those 4001 basses. The necks really are gorgeous , and once you’ve set the truss rods they’re incredibly stable. 

The neck on this one felt great to me. Just having a little play, I found the e string buzzed a bit past down the dusty end but apart from that it was very good imo. Not bad considering it hadn't been out of its case for a number of years. I last played it supposedly in the 90's and mateys not been in another band since then so I'm guessing it's not been out much.

I didn't think I need another bass.....now I'm not so sure.

[tricky]

Now I want a blue one 🙄

 

Why does it have to become an obsession 😅

[Lozz196]

That’s a great trio!!!

[tricky]

Ho ho oh!

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I’ve only just acquired this within the last week so I’m a newcomer to the Ric tribe, but I’m already thinking about whether I should acquire another in a different colour.

 

 

It’s a 2024 4003 secondhand but very near mint condition — I particularly wanted the current version for the bridge and single truss rod to make setting it up easier. I have swapped out the original jazz bass style knobs with vintage style ric knobs ones with the text on them to remind me of each one’s function. I have also fitted a Rickysounds thumb rest and a set of light EB cobalt flats which seem to suit this bass just as well as they do my Gibson non-reverse thunderbird.

 

I also have a Rickysounds black pickguard and a reproduction black truss rod cover, so I might change it up to see how it looks with a more stealth look when I get around to applying copper tape to shield the cavities.

[prowla]

2 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

I’ve only just acquired this within the last week so I’m a newcomer to the Ric tribe, but I’m already thinking about whether I should acquire another in a different colour.

 

 

It’s a 2024 4003 secondhand but very near mint condition — I particularly wanted the current version for the bridge and single truss rod to make setting it up easier. I have swapped out the original jazz bass style knobs with vintage style ric knobs ones with the text on them to remind me of each one’s function. I have also fitted a Rickysounds thumb rest and a set of light EB cobalt flats which seem to suit this bass just as well as they do my Gibson non-reverse thunderbird.

 

I also have a Rickysounds black pickguard and a reproduction black truss rod cover, so I might change it up to see how it looks with a more stealth look when I get around to applying copper tape to shield the cavities.

 

Well, there's always room for another colour...

 

 

 

[Reggaebass]

I’ve been looking through this thread and there’s some amazing ric’s here, I’ve only ever played one once a long time back, getting a bit of liking for these, dangerous 😁

[msb]

They’re built differently than other basses. Very unique. People tend to either love them or hate them.

 

I love a nice Ric , heck , I get a little weak in the knees when I see one.

[rwillett]

I played one for the first time a few months ago and liked it. Thankfully it was too good a bass for me and a little too expensive. 

 

However I love Motorhead and I'm sure getting one would immediately make me play like Lemmy. Please don't disabuse me of this notion 😊

[msb]

I first think of that warm classic thump McCartney always managed as a Ric tone reference. 
Never cared much for that prog rock roink. Loved Lemmy , but not my tone.

[snorkie635]

4 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

I’ve been looking through this thread and there’s some amazing ric’s here, I’ve only ever played one once a long time back, getting a bit of liking for these, dangerous 😁

Go on, go on, go on!

[Reggaebass]

29 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

Go on, go on, go on!

You’re not helping 😁

[msb]

I spent some years looking for one (this was before the internet) they simply were rare as heck in NS. Finally found one in a visit to Toronto. It was one of the later 4001 basses with the one inch spacing. The neck is gorgeous , it has that classic thing going on. I fell for it. It has the old style truss rods , they’re incredibly stable. In about 28 years I’ve adjusted them twice. The bridge was a misery , only had to set that once. Now these days I mostly play short scales , but when I pick up the Ric it instantly feels like home. Beautiful thing.