Comprehensive Rickenbacker Bass Buying Guide

[SirMjac28]

I'm narrowing down my choices for my first Ric and I'm wondering if there is a buying guide that goes over the differences through the years. I really want a vintage Ric and would love to know about neck profiles etc I notice the '80s have a two-piece pickguard and two additional bridge screws I would appreciate as much info as I can get. If you could include your favorite year that would be great.

 

[Jeff Scott]

The closest thing would be Paul's book.

 

[SirMjac28]

The closest thing would be Paul's book.

Thanks Jeff forgot about that and what's your favorite year?

 

[Jeff Scott]

...what's your favorite year?

Favorite year? 1972, but that has nothing to do with Rickenbackers.

 

[SirMjac28]

Favorite year? 1972, but that has nothing to do with Rickenbackers.

lol I hear you for me it was 1974 I had one of the cutest girls in the neighborhood her name was Stacy and I was on the moon.

 

[Jeff Scott]

As to Ricks, probably early '73 basses, before all the changes in that transitional years in details/features.

Laurie was her name.

 

[CryingBass]

I'm narrowing down my choices for my first Ric and I'm wondering if there is a buying guide that goes over the differences through the years. I really want a vintage Ric and would love to know about neck profiles etc I notice the '80s have a two-piece pickguard and two additional bridge screws I would appreciate as much info as I can get. If you could include your favorite year that would be great.

I thought for sure you had a ric by now. Keep us posted, pics mandatory!

 

[SirMjac28]

I thought for sure you had a ric by now. Keep us posted, pics mandatory!

I had one but the neck was cracked during shipping

 

[CryingBass]

CrackinRic. Tm. You will have better luck the next go.

 

[Salicete]

Play and inspect ~closely~ before your buy.

QC for Rickenbackers can be wildly hit or miss.

I swear I think one or two days a week they let the kids, who normally never get off the bench, have a whack at the assembly line out there at Rickenbacker, and it shows.

That being said, I have a 4003 (made in 2004) that I am quite pleased with, well.. once I got the dead neck pickup replaced, the neck put back straight and the crappy factory solder points redone properly.

For the no pic no bass weenies...

 

[Jeff Scott]

...her name was Stacy...

Laurie was her name.

Who was better, Stacy, or Laurie?

 

[2tonic]

The truth is Stacy's mom has got it goin' on!





Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Jimruth]

I have a 1980 FG 4001. Lately I’ve been singing a bass version of the Piña Colada song to it after trying to “find ‘that’ sound” via a MIM GL Jazz and then an EBMM Sterling 4H. And the neck is TDF. It’s my recommendation.

 

[mikecd1]

You could start with the Ric book, but remember the vintage basses have the early truss rods which were great, but my 72 did snap with the roto rs66's. There were several periods where neck profiles were thick then thin (my 72 is very thin, but similar to some of the recent thin ones). A lot of the 80s and 90s had "baseball bat" necks that were very chunky, but again I'm sure there were a few thin ones in there somewhere. Some of the recent 4003S models have been outstanding in my opinion, but as others have mentioned inconsistent. You may get a great one of those if you search and try a few out. In 1971 I ordered a 4001s and got a regular 4001. They offered to send it back and ask for another one, but after waiting almost a year I took what they gave me. It wasn't even the color I ordered! So even back then there were some wacky things going on, but I love the company, the designs and the people who play them. Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

 

[lfmn16]

I had an '81 that had a nice thin (but not too thin) neck. Had a 2012 that was a baseball bat. I think earlier are better.

 

[Gunga Din]

For me it was a '73 chequerboard Fireglo 4001. Out of all of them that was the only one I really liked. Bar the CS, but that was a totally different beast, both in looks, construction, feel, and sound.

 

[SirMjac28]

Who was better, Stacy, or Laurie?

Sounds like you can't go wrong with either

 

[Ric5]

I'm narrowing down my choices for my first Ric and I'm wondering if there is a buying guide that goes over the differences through the years. I really want a vintage Ric and would love to know about neck profiles etc I notice the '80s have a two-piece pickguard and two additional bridge screws I would appreciate as much info as I can get. If you could include your favorite year that would be great.

The newer 4003sw basses would be my choice

 

[Shlabotnik]

I see a lot of talk about fat vs thin necks.

I've only ever owned one Ric (a 4003s from last year) and so I have nothing to compare it to. I just know that I find it really comfortable to play and I don't have large hands.

Our of curiosity I'd like to know where my neck falls in the thickness spectrum.

So, what would I measure to find out whether what I've got would be thought of as "fat" or "thin" and are there any measurement standards to compare my measurements to? Thanks!!

 

[Gizmot]

I have a '79 4001 that in my experience has the nicest playing neck of any of the Rics I've tried. On top of the super-nice neck, this bass has been absolutely trouble-free. I can only recall doing a small truss rod adjustment about 15 years ago and have never had a problem with anything else on this bass.

I've had this bass since it was made and I hope that my decedents enjoy it because I'm not selling it.