What is it about Rickenbackers?

[vax2002]

Here is a Rick sound.
Marshall valve head
4001 rotosounds
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F_FqbZ0iJY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F_FqbZ0iJY[/url]

[Beedster]

The Hipshot provides better control over string length and spacing but runs into problems with height (not low enough) and stability (as Bass Doc will confirm, to be fit for purpose they require a 2-3mm shim between the saddles or these can move around a lot).

AND......., mirroring the post above, I prefer the sound without the Hipshot, and I have both brass and aluminium versions (although the brass version does seem to add some resonance so I've left it on my 4003FL where it works well for what that bass gets used for).

IMO on paper the Ric bridge, like the Fender BBOT before it, shouldn't do the job, but seems to handle it quite well most of the time

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1334931343' post='1623670']
IMO on paper the Ric bridge, like the Fender BBOT before it, shouldn't do the job, but seems to handle it quite well most of the time
[/quote]

Kinda of comparing a bridge that costs as much as a whole bass equipped with a BBOT though with one. That's the major thing, about the price point, when it starts tail lifting, as little appreciable difference the gap at the back makes, I know its there, and is a flaw that is going to get worse over time.

Edit: kind of assumed the genuine ones were about same price as a Hipshot, poor assumption, make that three basses with a BBOT.

Edited April 20, 2012 by Mr. Foxen

[4000]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1334930692' post='1623658']
Would you replace those with the ones that do tail lift though?



That choice is what means you can get the better one.
[/quote]

Out of 10 basses I've had with tailpieces "that tail lift", not one has actually had tail lift, so for me it's a none issue really. I'd be happy to buy a Ric with a stock, modern bridge if the bass worked for me. My basses simply have the bridges that were fitted to them when they were made.

Yes, a better one in the individual's opinion, not necessarily a better one per se. I'd change out the neck pickups on any 4001/4003 for a 1/2" toaster if it wasn't already fitted, although I'd far prefer to buy the right bass in the first place. Others I know prefer the high gains. Which is better? Neither, all just preference. I've tried an SD in my 2nd CS. Didn't like it at all. Of course it's nice to have the option, if that's the point you're trying to make.

Edited April 20, 2012 by 4000

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1334932679' post='1623703']
Yes, a better one in the individual's opinion, not necessarily a better one per se.
[/quote]

That is all of the point of having your own bass. I'd be happy with a general opinion if everyone else wants to buy a bass for me. Spending over a grand on something suited to someone else doesn't sound like a sensible plan.

[4000]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1334931639' post='1623679']
Kinda of comparing a bridge that costs as much as a whole bass equipped with a BBOT though with one. That's the major thing, about the price point, when it starts tail lifting, as little appreciable difference the gap at the back makes, I know its there, and is a flaw that is going to get worse over time.


[/quote]
Actually, even in instances where slight tail lift may happen, that isn't always the case. I've seen loads of basses with a small gap at the back where they haven't moved any further in 30 years.

[4000]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1334933105' post='1623715']
That is all of the point of having your own bass. I'd be happy with a general opinion if everyone else wants to buy a bass for me. Spending over a grand on something suited to someone else doesn't sound like a sensible plan.
[/quote]

But you seem to be missing the point that something that suits someone else may suit you too. I'm not the only person who likes my favourite book, my favourite film, my favourite food.

FWIW there are all sorts of basses that I like, but no one bass could ever be all those basses to me. Because in some instances I want a bass that sounds, plays, or looks different then in the previous instance, for whatever reason; practical, aesthetic, whatever. I've had basses built for me that were exactly as I wanted them, but only within a certain context. If you're happy to have one pair of shoes custom made and wear them in every instance for the rest of your life then fine, but I'm not.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1334933522' post='1623725']
But you seem to be missing the point that something that suits someone else may suit you too. I'm not the only person who likes my favourite book, my favourite film, my favourite food.

FWIW there are all sorts of basses that I like, but no one bass could ever be all those basses to me. Because in some instances I want a bass that sounds, plays, or looks different then in the previous instance, for whatever reason; practical, aesthetic, whatever. I've had basses built for me that were exactly as I wanted them, but only within a certain context. If you're happy to have one pair of shoes custom made and wear them in every instance for the rest of your life then fine, but I'm not.
[/quote]

Or, could by lots of different, easily adapted shoes, for the same price as one really specialist, and with a fair chance of not being very good due to poor quality control pair of shoes, that is admittedly of a certain retro style. Price point is a big deal, and should buy more than a branding excercise. If branding is the only substance to an item, I will openly decry it every time. Openly attacking consumer choice is a bad thing.

[bassmachine2112]

I fitted a hipshot to mine,there was no tail lift but the mute screws used to wreck my palms.
I do like the look of the hipshot and have had no problems after a wrap of ptfe tape on the screws which would wind down sometimes.
It will go down so low that it is unplayable.
I have retrofitted the vintage circuit as well as mine is a 1999.
I could have lived with it as standard but I,m happy how it is now.Maybe a hipshot d-tuner and that would be ideal.
Maybe I,ve got a good one.It was picked out from the factory and flown over here for me to play a festival but that,s another story.

[4000]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1334934711' post='1623746']
Or, could by lots of different, easily adapted shoes, for the same price as one really specialist, and with a fair chance of not being very good due to poor quality control pair of shoes, that is admittedly of a certain retro style. Price point is a big deal, and should buy more than a branding excercise. If branding is the only substance to an item, I will openly decry it every time. Openly attacking consumer choice is a bad thing.
[/quote]

But they're not openly attacking consumer choice. If you don't like them, buy something else. If you don't feel they're good value for money, move on, as I said before. Also, my favourite Ric is my favourite bass that I've ever played. I've played thousands of basses. So how is the branding "the only substance to an item" in that instance?

One thing though, about the cost. Years ago ('80s) I asked a luthier for a quote rebinding a late 70s Ric with checkered binding like the earlier models . I was quoted £300 plus [i]just for the rebinding of the body[/i]. I did the same with the inlays (I wanted full-width crushed pearl) and was quoted more or less the same. Even taking into account that they're having to replace something that's already there, I suspect that if I approached a luthier for a through-neck bass built to the exact same spec as a vintage Ric (assuming I was allowed to ) I'm sure the cost would be pretty considerable. Of course if you had the skill and means to do it yourself (therefore not charging for your time) then that's different, but the majority of people haven't.

Personally I'm more baffled by the fact that Fender can charge so much for what is essentially 2 pieces of wood bolted together with one pickup and simple wiring, no binding (a pretty time-consuming job - ask any luthier)and arguably the most simple inlays it's possible to fit, which is not to knock the P Bass, just how much they can cost.

Edited April 20, 2012 by 4000

[Beedster]

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1334936350' post='1623774']
But they're not openly attacking consumer choice. If you don't like them, buy something else. If you don't feel they're good value for money, move on, as I said before. Also, my favourite Ric is my favourite bass that I've ever played. I've played thousands of basses. So how is the branding "the only substance to an item" in that instance?

One thing though, about the cost. Years ago ('80s) I asked a luthier for a quote rebinding a late 70s Ric with checkered binding like the earlier models . I was quoted £300 plus [i]just for the rebinding of the body[/i]. I did the same with the inlays (I wanted full-width crushed pearl) and was quoted more or less the same. Even taking into account that they're having to replace something that's already there, I suspect that if I approached a luthier for a through-neck bass built to the exact same spec as a vintage Ric (assuming I was allowed to ) I'm sure the cost would be pretty considerable. Of course if you had the skill and means to do it yourself (therefore not charging for your time) then that's different, but the majority of people haven't.

Personally I'm more baffled by the fact that Fender can charge so much for what is essentially 2 pieces of wood bolted together with one pickup and simple wiring, no binding (a pretty time-consuming job - ask any luthier)and arguably the most simple inlays it's possible to fit, which is not to knock the P Bass, just how much they can cost.
[/quote]

+1 to all of that. Well put

[GarethFlatlands]

I'd love to try a Ric but they seem like a hard bass to live with with their quirks. They do have a unique sound that I like but they seem like a rich mans instrument.

[Thor]

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1334956367' post='1624163']
I'd love to try a Ric but they seem like a hard bass to live with with their quirks. They do have a unique sound that I like but they seem like a rich mans instrument.
[/quote]

I aint rich - ask my Bank Manager!

[geofio]

i will second that, most guys that own rics have worked hard for them. worth the investment.

[karlfer]

Plenty of folk work hard and can't afford them, Then He Who Shall Not Be Named tries to stop that avenue of enjoyment for the less well off. For what it's worth, Ricks are what they are, good and bad.
There is a bass that recently came up which is about 30 years old. It appears to have a neck/board issue and certainly has a paint issue. The last two fakers I have had have both been older, both been superbly put together and have both fared much better regarding those issues.
Good and bad.
Hall's attitude means I will never have another real one.

[jonsmith]

[quote name='Johngh' timestamp='1334697884' post='1620059']
<-------------------- Geddy say's " I loved my twin neck back in the day, Zanadoooooooooooooooooo,ooooooooooooooo"




Now that's what you call a Ricky. Anybody on here ever have a Ricky twin neck?
[/quote]


I have two, a 4080 & a 4080/12:

[spongebob]

OMG - that's just Ric porn to me!

[simon1964]

[quote name='vax2002' timestamp='1334930925' post='1623662']
Here is a Rick sound.
Marshall valve head
4001 rotosounds
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F_FqbZ0iJY[/media]
[/quote]

One of my all time favourite songs - thanks for posting!

That Ric looks and sounds great IMO

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1334936350' post='1623774']
But they're not openly attacking consumer choice.
[/quote]

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1334936350' post='1623774']
(assuming I was allowed to )
[/quote]

[simon1964]

[quote name='jonsmith' timestamp='1335008005' post='1624619']
I have two, a 4080 & a 4080/12:
[/quote]

Stunning!

[jonsmith]

Just wish I was doing something at the moment that meant I was using them.

[4000]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1335036777' post='1625140']
[/quote]

Given the thousands of different basses out there and the almost limitless permutations of a custom build I'm surprised you find that's taking away your choice. The choice is to buy a Ric or buy something else. I don't see a problem with that.

FWIW, if you don't like the current bridges but want the same look seek out an earlier aluminium one. If you don't like the rods make some replacements. If you don't like the pickups get them rewound. Etc etc. Or, as stated before, try and find one that suits you from the off. If you're still not happy then why are you wasting time even thinking about them?

Edited April 22, 2012 by 4000

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1335112497' post='1625913']
So you don't like loads of things about Rics but object to not being able to copy one.

FWIW, your choice is to use replacement parts that [i]are[/i] available (so they differ slightly, but you've already expressed your dissatisfaction with the originals) or buy something else, including a custom, as you pointed out. Given the thousands of different basses out there and the almost limitless permutations of a custom build I'm surprised you find that's taking away your choice.
[/quote]

It took away my choice to buy some very excellent japanese basses, and others, best part of 100 pages of posts worth for a start, that's one thread. As well as the option of showing pictures of such things on this forum. You don't get much more real than that. The objection is in not being able to choose a product with all of the upsides and not the downsides, of which there are many, which have been addressed by a number of manufacturers. Actual prevention of improvements is actually happening. In real life.

[hairyhaw]

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1334614343' post='1618734']....If you're looking for that classic Rush/Yes clanky growl we all love (except Beedster ) then amplification has a lot to do with it....
[/quote]

Very true. Squire didn't start using bass amps till the eighties AFAIK. Close to the Edge was allegedly recorded through an AC30 and live he was alternating between Sunn Coliseum heads and cabs and Fender guitar stuff. I've always maintained that [i]the [/i]tone was lost sometime in the eighties and has never fully returned and I think a change to bass amplification was the big factor; he went to the old Marshall head he's used for donkeys years and I've seen him using (presumably hired) Ampeg stuff and the tone was a bit...ordinary. It lacked that extra little clank. And that was with the RM1999.

Sorry if I've drifted off thread with that but I totally agree with Cosmo - choice of amplification is a big element and I'm not sure current bass amps are designed with Rick basses (and I'm talking specifically 4001/3's) in mind.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='vax2002' timestamp='1334930925' post='1623662']
Here is a Rick sound.
Marshall valve head
4001 rotosounds
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F_FqbZ0iJY[/media]
[/quote]

Are you sure it's the Marshall stack he's using? The one behind Weller appears to be switched off and there's much less "hip" Peavey combo lurking out of audience view at the side of the stage.