Tips and Tricks for playing a Ric

[Warpeg]

I've owned three or four Rics (4003) in the past decade or so. Like many, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with them.

LOVE

• The tone
• The appearance
• The necks
• The way they balance on a strap
• The mono/stereo option

HATE

• The way the edge/binding cuts into my right forearm

Perhaps a 4003S would solve my "hate" issue, but I love the look of the binding and inlay that would be missing. Sooooo....can anyone offer any time-tested tips or tricks on how I can adapt to a 4003 without hurting my forearm anymore? I'm open to hearing everyone's specific experiences with technique adjustment, wearing arm bands, etc.


EDIT: I would like to add that the reason I am asking is because I am considering going back to a Ric. My comfort zone has been Fender basses for a long time; I'm trying to see if there are solutions out there that will allow me to play a Ric just as comfortably as a Fender.

 

[Trouztrouz]

Try playing with your arm in a position that does not lean into the binding. That or try the 4003s, like you said.

 

[JGbassman]

Maybe a sweatband on your forearm working as padding.

 

[Lammchop93]

I'm with you 100% that the look of the binding looks way better than a 4003s, but is also uncomfortable. The only way around it for me was to lower my strap so that my hand hangs over the strings, rather than resting my forearm on the corner and then dangling my playing hand over the strings

 

[Killed_by_Death]

sell them all & get a 4004

 

[two fingers]

Hang it lower and be sure you have small hands.

 

[Warpeg]

Interesting ideas, so far. Generally, I wear my basses about medium-height on the strap. It sounds like maybe lowering the bass may help to keep pressure off the forearm?

This will probably be a silly question, but is there a certain type of arm band that I should look for?

 

[GtenderG]

+1 on the wristband comment. My personal ergonomic issue was with the knurled knob that raises/lowers the mute pad. I play down there alot when using a pick and it was tearing up the side of my hand. Took the knob off and match it with a standard bolt from the hardware store. Problem solved.

 

[jbd5015]

lowering the bass helps on the ric with the forearm issue.

Or just keep playing and build up a tolerance!

 

[Warpeg]

...Or just keep playing and build up a tolerance!

I attempted that idea with my third Ric. After several months of constantly playing the Ric, the forearm pain only got marginally better, but it started causing my wrist to get numb.

 

[john_g]

I think you go for a 4003S. Its hard to keep your arm in the right spot with a sweat band on. My arm generally is a bit straighter when playing and doesnt rest on the edge so I dont have that issue.

 

[QweziRider]

Perhaps a 4003S would solve my "hate" issue, but I love the look of the binding and inlay that would be missing.

I always thought the same thing. Been through about 11 regular 4003 models over the years. The "S" was just not for me. Until I found a Ruby "S" several months ago. It was ok in photos. But when it was in my hands? WOW!!!!!! The curves feel great, the edges feel great, the neck is the best of all of them I've owned. Just a perfect keeper. And I don't miss the look of the binding or inlays.

 

[inthebassclef]

Been down this road. Ultimately comfort always wins and i sold the Rics

 

[rickdog]

Are you a fingers or pick player? I play my 4001 with a pick; it has a reissue horseshoe pickup, which restricts where I pick. I wear a wristband low on my wrist, which catches the binding when I pick behind the pickup (close to the bridge). When I pick in front of the pickup, I don't make much contact with the binding, this might have to do with wearing the bass medium high.

So, I guess it's the same advice others have given: wristband, and adjust the strap length for comfort, not for style.

 

[Hounddog409]

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[Michael Schreiber]

This will probably be a silly question, but is there a certain type of arm band that I should look for?

I am using sheepskin. Don't have problems with my 4001, but playing my acoustic guitar, I needed a padding that can be placed on the guitar.

So I took sheepskin, sewed two vacuum cups onto the back (of the sheepskin), so I can place the sheepskin on my guitar without damaging the finish. Holds reliably.

However, it's placed on the side of the guitar. As the Ric has a narrow side, it may be best to place the vacuum cups on the front top and bottom; stretching the sheepskin from front top over the upper side via the back to the bottom front; e.g. by using cloth straps or a longer sheepskin.
Just mentioning, since placing vacuum cups on the back of your Ric might not be a reliable hold; since your body might rub away the cups.

Hope that helps, even if it sounds weird

 

[Mildew Jones]

I bet the T-bird gang has had this exact discussion a whole mess of times, too. Hate the non contour on my EpiBird, haven't tried a Ric...yet
MJ

 

[mellowinman]

sell them all & get a 4004

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this bass have different pickups; different controls, and a somewhat different sound from the 4003?

I suggest at least trying some different arm positions, and see if one can work; otherwise, KBD's suggestion may be the only choice.

 

[ICM]

Take a razor blade and shave down the binding to a 45 degree angle. Then smooth it out with fine grit sandpaper. Just be super careful not to mar the paint anywhere but the binding. Full disclosure, I don't have a Rick (yet) but I've don't this trick on all of my instruments with binding. It's basically a clandestine arm contour.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Sometimes you cant have it all, id go for comfort over asthetics. I dont mind the binding but If i did id just get a 4003s,in my case a 4004 since I prefer the HB1 pickups. You can always stick decal blocks on the 4003s.