Rickenbacker Bass Gets Outed For What It Is

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I get the impression that you don't like the guitar...

[@gabrieltoneguitars9365]

But, it makes a magical tone! lol

[@freereinvoltaic]

So what I’ve gathered from this video: Rickenbacker is the BMW of bass. Expensive and you want someone else to work on them.

[@DriveCarToBar]

With a touch of turbo Audi S4 in the final days of ownership. You can always find them in the classifieds for cheap, just needs a little work. Probably a sensor to turn the Check Engine Light off. And then you find out a turbo is blown and you have to pull the entire goddamned engine to get at them.

[@vertebralremains379]

@@DriveCarToBar proper description of German engineering lol

[@celjemestoobsavinji3569]

Rick S I had one Bmw e39 and it is good car.... and four Ric crap....

[@Pepper-cd9yr]

@@piedirstaispalags6665 Christ.

[@applescruff1969]

Rickenbacker is more like the apple of guitars. They make it look pretty, despite it being shit and overprice the fuck out of it.

[@mikeokizichy]

I always thought that the Orville Rickenbacker quality went down when they started concentrating more on Popcorn than instruments.

[@mootbooxle]

zapcan59 lmao!!

[@gutbucket260]

I just pissed my Depends !

[@kenjimac2211]

Bahahahahaaa

[@irissloan9431]

lol

[@GTX1123]

Or maybe Eddie should have stuck to flying airplanes instead of building bass guitars

[@devilsoffspring5519]

People marry their instruments. For some reason. Kurt Cobain was right--music gear isn't sacred. It's a mass-produced consumer product, like a TV set or microwave oven. The ART is music making, not product ownership.

[@luchadorito]

Kurt Cobain could not differentiate between a D’Angelico and a Bc Rich If you shoved them up his ear. And he was a shitty player. That doesn’t necessarily discredit his opinion, but he had a very limited musical vocabulary so I would take that with a healthy Scoop of cynicism.

[@devilsoffspring5519]

You're right, but people have always paid top dollar for Ricks, and it was over a third of a century ago when I was a little kid getting into playing guitar and bass, and was always hearing about how overrated they were--and how expensive they were. Probably 'cause I wanted one :) I've also played a *very* cheap bass (an OLP, which is a Chinese-made Music Man knockoff) that was very, very good.

luchadorito - In a way, he was right. If you hear a particular song or even an album from a band, unless you knew what brand instruments and strings they used, it doesn't matter. You'd be surprised how many musicians don't even buy their instruments, but are given to them by the companies to showcase. That's the best way to sell a Les Paul, a Strat, or even a P-Bass or a Rick - letting the fans know what the musicians are playing.

[@TheBillyKmusic]

And most online places will not list the prices of the Rick's......you have to call for them to get the price nowadays.

[@dlawlis]

I used to play out often on a $175 Xaviere P-Bass and a Sansamp/QSC/Avatar rig ($500) and I would often get compliments on my tone and my playing.

[@grumpyboomer61]

Spoken like a true Canadian. "I'll hug you afterwards, but you're getting punched in the face." 🤣

[@regortex3364]

😂Haha 😂

[@paniccleo]

Headline: old man shouts at bass guitar.

[@isitrealgood]

And he regrets it for the rest of his life. "Children, let me tell you a story."

[@webz3589]

I don't think he knew the camera was on

[@Novous]

The scary part is when the bass shouts back.

[@Headwind-1]

wreckd inee

[@sambolino44]

That bass DESERVED to get yelled at!

[@tmbruno2539]

I almost have the feeling he doesn’t like Rickenbackers, not quite sure though.

[@someoneelse101]

Their weight alone would put some players off. Plus the bridge is offset in some models which means losing the G toward the higher frets

[@someoneelse101]

@@fredpearson5204 Did you hear me complaining about the weight? I have a preference for substantially weighted guitars

[@someoneelse101]

@@fredpearson5204 Ah, gotcha. I knew you weren't knocking what I said :)

[@gutbucket260]

I have a Classic Vibe 51 P bass that is way heavier then any of my Ric basses. Don't know what kind of wood the Chinese made that body out of but it sure as Hell ain't Alder or Ash. I don't find the Ric any heavier then my Flea Jazz or Player P bass.

[@Apollo-bw3hv]

When senile boomers try to fix things.

[@MichaelJ023]

Had to revisit this video. I got the 2022 4003 fire glow. They finally fixed the bridge issue, with a very nice fully adjustable roller bridge. The truss rod setup is now the standard single truss rod that is to be adjusted just like any other bass, no special tool. The frets are bigger, and the fretboard has no finish on it, just bare rosewood. The body is beautiful Birdseye maple, perfect finish and setup right from the factory. Definitely a premium bass. I’ve parked my P-bass now. It’s wonderful.

[@MichaelJ023]

@@c4wolves I’ve seen a few 4003S from 2022 that still had the dual truss rods. I suspect that they may have had a period of transition where they phased out the truss rods. My 4003 has the single truss rod which I’m happy about.

[@AnnoyingOrange420]

Just when I thought I was free of the wanting a Rickenbacker curse, they make all these improvements and it doesn’t sound half bad again. It’s a good thing I’m poor

[@JohnLeftyRosland]

$700 in 1975 would be about $3250 today. Holy smokes... The Ricks have however been in the very same pricerange since then

[@DXPunx74]

They are purposely over priced. They want you to "Appreciate" the guitar and buy it when you're ready. Hell I don't understand their business philosophy. Who do they think they are, Stradivarius??

[@thelsel348]

I bought a used '78 in '80 and it cost me $350. I seriously doubt it lost half its value in 2 years.

[@kevbob]

I watch this video at least a few times a year, it's pure gold. This is really the best comedy channel on KZbin.

[@groovedodger]

two output jacks one for each trussrod

[@kungpuk5186]

groovedodger Nice one!

[@fasteddie4145]

nicely played sir...........nicely played indeed.....this one goes to 2.....that's one louder id'in it?

[@NGC6144]

Yeah but, that neck is going to be uniformly straight with two truss rods. Every cheap P-bass I previously owned, the neck was simultaneously bowed on the low E while warped on the G close to the nut. That's one of a few things a Ric has got going for it. unfortunately, it contributes to a heavy beast.

[@rb032682]

lol @ groovedodger

[@rb032682]

one loudah

[@newmanana]

6 minutes in to this vid and it's already the best review I've ever seen of a piece of equipment on KZbin.

[@johnhudak3829]

Right?? Laughed my ass off. The description of the bridge was awesome!

[@zach0520]

Agreed!

[@bigbass421]

I'm a bass and guitar repairman, going on (damn, I'm old) 50 years now. I loved your video, and I concur completely. Made me laugh out loud. Last one I've worked on, had the typical age related porpoising truss rod ends. Sometimes you see the threaded ends 'dive' into the adjustment cavity. I have some specially modded wrenches to adjust those. I have pulled out the rods on some, they are 'field replaceable' and you can get them from Rickenbacker, after passing an I.Q. test, and undergo a security clearance check. I had a smart friend do it for me! lol! I find that two rods do not provide any real advantage over one good one in a well made neck that hasn't had so much wood removed to make way for the gigantic truss rod assembly, that it's too weak to withstand string tension without them.TERRIBLE bridge design. Some lightweight crummy alloy bridge, and pot metal saddles with 'V' cuts. Intonation cannot be adjusted with the bridge on, and under tension. Combine that with weak pickups, in the wrong places for any decent tone, a bridge plate/anchor that will lift off the top like a North Korean missile, and a 2,500 dollar price tag, and you have the curse worthy phenomenon of the Rickenbacker bass. They are also wildly inconsistent, output and tone wise. And stereo? Why? Your two pickup sound is stereo once it leaves the bandstand anyway. ALL THAT said, ironically, to me, the best electric bass tone ever is on The Beatles "With A Little Help From My Friends" Paul, his Rick, a pick, and flats- and a bit of 'generation spread' as they bounced the bass tracks around.

[@duncan-rmi]

to be fair, the two truss rods let you set different relief at the treble & bass sides. there are bigger problems with the 4000 basses... the bridge/tailpiece is lousy, & lifts. they used shitty soft fret wire & then (on some models) put binding across the ends to make refrets next-to-impossible. but worst of all is the unnecessarily massive rout for the neck pickup, that weakens the neck-through right where the truss-rod runs out & can't help you. after a few years of even light strings, lower than the low tension which is RIC-approved, the neck starts to come up, & on some instruments you'll be able to see the wings coming away completely. my best '4001' is an ibanez with a bolt-on neck.

[@duncan-rmi]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4GQhaV-mcugia8

[@Hqhq-01]

Thanks for decoding the bass sound on "With a Little Help From My Friends". I've always loved the bass sound on that, especially when he plays high up the neck, but I never knew quite how he was getting that sound. Now I want to go buy a Rick just to try it out, lol. p.s. I didn't understand the remark about the generation spread What's that refer to?

[@bigbass421]

@@Hqhq-01 Back in the mid sixties, most of the hit records we know and love, were done on three track, or four track analog tape machines, not the 16-24 track consoles that were popular in the 70's and beyond. There IS a book, or at least a chapter in some book, about how The Beatles recorded Sgt. Peppers. It goes something like this: Record the basic track, guitars, bass drums, scratch vocals- then, mix that down to one track, making sure it's what you want it to sound like then, save it and 'bounce' that to another machine- now, you have two, or three tracks to add things to. This 'back and forth' bouncing of the basic tracks, causes some 'degeneration' of the original signal, resulting in the expansion of the bass guitar. This sound can be nearly duplicated today, using apps and Pro-tools, etc. P.S., my all time favorite McCartney performance- his note selection, articulation, and tone- is the brilliant "Penny Lane" Play along with it sometime, and have your mind blown. He BEGINS the tune playing in the upper octave- G-C G-C then a walk down.. it's his melodic genius. If a N.Y. session player attempted that, he would've been shot down by most producers. Thank God we have people like The Beatles, and George Martin.

[@Hqhq-01]

I was familiar with the 4-track ping-ponging method that the Beatles were using, even after many others were using 8-tracks I believe, but I wasn't familiar with the term "generation spread". Forgive my ignorance but I'm also unfamiliar with the term "expansion" in this context.

[@gutbucket260]

Have had four Ric basses and never had issues with any of them. I've changed gauges and types of strings, (Roundwound and Flatwound), and all the basses were easy to adjust. Truss rods and saddles. I did change the neck pickup on one to a Nordstrom and put a Hipshot bridge on one. My newest one from 2020 has the improved style bridge with individual adjustable saddles. That should have changed years ago. The truss rods have been updated, too. 1/4" socket has no trouble fitting them. And you can adjust them under string tension without flexing the neck. I still loosen the strings on any bass before adjusting.

[@johnnyvonline1862]

I'm a Rickenbacker bass Fanboy, But everything said in this video is true. Doesn't change the fact that no other bass can get you that "Mystical Fuck'n Tone"

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

_Bayou Country_

[@JimmyBmusic1]

Yup. Just listen to silly love songs or early rush. Even the knack

[@GimmeDatSheep]

Bullshit, Dave was never 18.

[@gqfiend]

neurocherry lmao

[@DJProfessorL]

He came out of the womb as a grumpy middle aged guy

[@chunkystylemusic]

6:03 "I'd love to meet ya and just punch you in the face. I'd hug you after, but you'd get a punch in the face, just because." Awesome!

[@Solelova67]

Dave says many a funny shit! Especially when he calls Ernie Ball...Ernie Ballsack!

[@StoneShards]

Yeah, THAT'S Canadian!

[@thejtown1]

This popped up randomly on my feed because apparently KZbin knows I love grumpy people cussing out instruments. Subscribed. Still want a Rick though...

[@TexasEdition]

I bough a brand new 2021 - I think it was the first year of hte single truss rod. Thick D shaped neck. The frets were all uneven and the nut was so badly shapped. Glue seepage in the finger board. The neck was set too high and even wtih the bridge bottomed out, I can only get 6/64 on the e string. The ONLY brand new instrument I ever bought and needed the most work to get right.

[@brutalbeetle]

My uncle has one, hangs on his wall while he plays his budget schecter lol.

[@BarryBirther]

Poor fool...

[@jugaajugaa5210]

bongo twocanchoo rich fool in this case.

[@jmhatutube]

I did the same thing you did, except it was around 1982. I wasn't told about the warranty, but I wouldn't have cared. I actually bought out of a guitar magazine, sight unseen for a pretty decent price; around $625. Put Rotosound Swing 66 strings on them too. Coolest damn sounding bass I've ever owned and regret selling it because it was a high end one with the checkered binding, black, Grover tuners, etc. Trying to find one now in decent shape cost around $5k or $6k. I was a Geddy Lee disciple so I did everything I could like him. I worked my ass off on a farm to buy my guitar and amp. We played a lot of Rush and I practiced 4 to 8 hrs a day in the winter. I had that guitar for 6 years and never saw the need to refret it. It was a great bass.

[@dazxmedia]

Geddy Lee disciple's could choose from fender precision, rick, fender jazz, wal, or steinberger, depends on what era

[@LeftyPem]

Why can't I give this more than one thumbs up? This is brilliant.

[@keeleye7225]

First video by this channel I've watched...right around the 6 minute mark, I was in tears from laughing so hard, and I've never clicked the like button so fast. In a world of gushing, glowing reviews of this and that piece of musical equipment, it's refreshing to get an honest, raw, critical review of something so hyped.

[@chasing_dragons]

I come back to this video every couple of months to forget about my miserable life. God bless you and thank you for these videos.

[@SlaughteredDecay]

Grumpy Dave is back, love it!

[@johanneswarn5488]

SlaughteredDecay delightfully bitter

[@jerrymckenzie6205]

How can Dave be so grumpy and yet so endearing at the same time? haha

[@rydermendelson7506]

I don't have a Ric, but someday, when I have the money, I will buy one. One time, I went into a store and I played a Ric. It was MAGICAL, but I respect your opinion. You either love 'em, or you hate 'em.

[@isher9035]

I agree...they are a polarizing bass. I have played 2 or 3 of them in a shop while I was in New York. One vintage, two new. All of them 4003. Absolutely hated them. I think what did it in for me, was the weird scale length. It's like 33 1/3? It just felt weird to me. I like thin neck profiles too, but the Ricks I tried took it to a new level.

[@gutbucket260]

@@isher9035 I played Fenders for years and had no issue with Ric scale lengths. If you didn't know the length measurement, would you really know the difference?

[@isher9035]

@@gutbucket260 If I didn't know the scale length, I'd know something would feel weird. I play on a 34" or a 30" scale length bass and both feel comfortable. For some reason, Rickenbacker scale just feels weird to me. I'm sure theres more to it than that, like the wider radius fingerboard combined with a thin neck.

[@peacefulruler1]

He didn’t say the tone sucked; he said the engineering/mechanicals of it suck.

[@bassboye8959]

No mention the shellac on the finger board. Another aspect of why I haven't bought one yet. That'd have to go!!

[@FreakazoidsAsteroids]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! This is way too good. I love this guy. I wanna just kinda hang out while he sets up a whole bunch of these things. Brilliant.

[@dbrowdie]

I got the Rickenbacker 4001C64 McCartney model. I replaced the Rickenbacker bridge with the Hip Shot Bridge. The original bridge started to show tail lift. I bought another new one & it started to show lift again. I was very pissed off. I finally read about the Hip Shot Bridge & all the compliments about it. Since I replaced that stupid Rick Bridge, I have been very happy. Not more tail lift. Problem solved. Love the bass.

[@pacree]

LOL Tell us how you REALLY feel, Dave!😆 Entertaining and informative, as always. Thank you!

[@toddforsman7180]

My 70's bass purchase was a 79' Music Man Sting Ray. I never looked back!

[@ernestochang1744]

i got a peavey T40 and a peavey T45 both from 1980s and i gotta say man im super happy with my purchases never looked back, i have been flirting around with some precision basses i will admit my peavey T45 is getting a bit scared but honestly ive had these guitars for so long the thought of selling them makes me want to vomit, no matter in what situation i am in, these babies are basically part of my family just those 2 basses... just those 2 i have no others, thats how much i respect not the brand, but the guitars itself because they're just that good

[@darrenpinto902]

There always that one bass you'd take to your grave. I have a Matt Freeman squier. It's going nowhere.

[@douglaspage2398]

I am just an amateur when it comes to guitars and basses (I do OK, and have put together some very nice Frankensteins), but this guy sounds exactly like me when I am working in my field of expertise (as an automotive technician). Engineers are always assholes, who always think their designs are brilliant, despite the obvious ways (at least to everyone else) in which they choose to defy all logic, common sense, and reason in their designs.

[@GrandFunalleyMedia]

You KNOW a Ric when you hear one. It may not be mystical, but it's goddamn unique. As much as I love playing my Ibanez SR900, I love to break out the 73' Ric once in a while. I never not love playing her despite her flaws. In this way Ric's are like a good marriage partner. You enjoy your time with them, really appreciate what's special and hopefully help them be the best they can be. Then, when they're gone, you bury them in the basement.

[@AnnoyingOrange420]

I return to this video regularly, great storytelling

[@RuseOfTheMetacarpi]

I have to set one of these up for a friend right now... your video was highly informative and helpful but also hilarious, your sense of humor is very relatable on this subject hahaha thanks for sharing your story

[@brianjlevine]

Well, in that case, can I have it? I'll even pay shipping.

[@vincewhirlwind574]

Jesus this man is a lunatic! I like him.

[@fredriksvard2603]

Vince Whirlwind sounds like an alcoholic

[@fasteddie4145]

the two best days with a Rickenbacker: The day you buy it and the day you sell it......

[@scottgun]

Bought a 4001 and 4003 because Chris Squire and Geddy Lee. Found out years later that the "mystical sound" on Moving Pictures was a J-bass dialed to a rick sound and that Squire's rick sounds like it does because it was several pounds lighter after scraping off hippy wallpaper. I love the nostalgia, but man the bridge design should be a war crime.

[@montys8th]

This is timeless peak Dave.

[@stevehazlewood2960]

Just thinking back Dave, 1973 I was 19 bought my first P Bass new $225 w/o the case which I bought a month later for $50 because I didn't have all the money. Best part of the story is I still have the bass and plan to play it on tonights gig....almost 50 years ago..

[@ferox965]

I gig all the time, all genres, play hard, and it's all I use. Mine's built like a tank, cuts through the mix, I barely use pedals...mine is a 2007, there have been a lot of changes since 75. Those rotosounds are exactly what I use...they haven't eaten the frets on mine. It's needed the least amount of maintenance and I've played way more than anything else.

[@jurgengosch3915]

4003's used different fretwire

[@JimmyJames714]

Don't hold back Dave, tell us how you really feel 😂

[@TJH3113]

Gotta post this on the Rickenbacker Bass Fan page on Facebook and run for cover.

[@JimmyJames714]

LOL, I'm glad you saw this, Troy. I was gonna post it your FB page

[@TJH3113]

Haha, it's off to a slow burn over there now (on the Ric FB page). For what it's worth, I agree 100% with everything he's saying about them...there's just something about the bass that demands I have one. I've had mine for a few weeks but it's in the shop now...I hope my guy's not melting down over it. Actually, he said all the frets above the 12th were way high.

[@TJH3113]

Thanks!

[@JimmyJames714]

If I win the lottery, there's 3 or 4 models I would buy just for the "coolness factor". But, I've never played a Ric and said "oh, this is awesome, I have to have it".

[@fredherfst8148]

I tried a new one out in 2005 and was smitted by the awesome tone options. Mind you, I went from an EKO short scale to the Ric..fortunately I have a friend who is a master luthier and he helped me through the weaknesses. Nothing but nickel plated strings, action just low enough to get a nice bite when needed, almost always in tune, and that lovely growl that can be tamed. Got rid of the pickup guard immediately. The stupid rubber damper worked ok for a while until the rubber disintegrated and I took it out. I'm still so smitten that I won't even try a p-bass..besides, I can't afford to bass around..fun times.

[@Rheems1]

This is probably my favorite Dave video out there... I love it!!

[@richardcyrka6682]

I have a 78 Ric. It's just like Chris Squires. Had to replace the fretboard because it twisted so badly. Before I put the new one, I routed a slot between the two truss rods about two thirds up the neck and put in a carbon steel bar, glued it in with epoxy resin. This stopped the neck lift from the body. It really gave the neck much more physical strength and I can get a really low action from a dead straight neck. But, I do agree...the construction of a Rick bass it utter crap compared to the competition. The sound is all it had going for it. I wrote to Rickenbacker telling them about my simple fix that would benefit the design...yes you guessed it...they didn't bother to answer.....there loss I think!

[@DavesWorldofFunStuff]

the sounds is the pickups ..get over it afterv that a signal chain to an amp ..as Geddy..went back to Jazz bass..to much BS with ba ric no matter how bad your owners remorse is..Cheers !!

[@neil2905]

I love getting boozed up and fucking with guitars as well.

[@vanessajazp6341]

LMAO!!

[@johnstitt2615]

Totally fucked up on the old sauce

[@AndrewUnruh]

Totally thinking the same thing. The other thing I was thinking was, "Why the F am I watching this when I only play guitar?"

[@Alex1946A]

Getting boozed up and fucking is easier and cheaper!

[@andrewwheelerguitar]

I thought the same, I love it!

[@scottmeli]

Great Video! The secret to the Rickenbacker mystery is the string gauges. The folks at Rickenbacker use a weird selection of strings that no company makes a replacement set for. The G string is a .45, the D string is a .55, The A string is a .75 and the E string is a .105. Where did they get that combination? Nobody knows except them. I’ve purchased Rickenbacker strings but I’m currently using a set of D’Addarios that were put together at a local dealer that sells single strings. They work! Using anything heavier just doesn’t play well or sound good. I was lucky enough to find a very small screwdriver to adjust the bridge as well. No doubt theses instruments are quirky, but they do have a unique sound and playability. But never think you’re going to be able to change the strings like you would on a P-Bass! Thanks Dave for a totally honest view of these iconic basses.

[@paulrickson9796]

I corresponded with Rickenbacker Prez F.C. Hall back in the early 80's and found him really friendly and helpful with some of the questions I had about Rickys. Even at that time--in the early years of playing--I found Rickys to have design idiosyncrasies that made them kind of "fussy" and tempramental. Like Scott, I learned that there WERE ways to get a lot of enjoyment out of my '64 330 and '79 4003, BUT they are unique creatures and I see Dave's points clearly. Shitty basses? I dunno. I loved mine and I played it A LOT. No troubles. But then again, I never put it through the ordeal Dave did on the road. Just local gigs. QUESTION FOR DAVE: Could it be that--unlike Fender or Gibson or, or...--Rickenbacker was and has been run by engineers and other techs with little player input as far as possible improvements/additions/changes are concerned?? I have found through professional experience that pure engineers and techs don't make for good craftsmen necessarily. One other thing: Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane/J. Starship was right. Flatwounds on the 6 and 12-stringers really do make a positive difference in tone and playablility. Guess what, Scott?? He only bought Ricky-brand flatwounds " 'Cause it's important", he said.

[@gutbucket260]

Squire, Lee, McCartney, and thousands of others have used other brands and gauges of strings from roundwound and flatwounds and always got that Ric tone without Rickenbacker brand strings. I've used LaBella low tension flats, Rotosound swing bass rounds, DR Hi Beams rounds, Fender Flats, and at the end of the day, it still sounds like a Ric 4003 bass. It has more to do with the neck thru design, pickup placement on the body, and the low output single coils.

[@scottmeli]

gutbucket , since my first response (two years ago) I have switched string brands (and gauges). I currently play Fender light bass strings....40 on G, .60 on D, .80 on A and .100 on E. The Rickenbacker loves this totally balanced set! I would highly recommend those Fender strings! Thanks.

[@billdickie6151]

I've had my Rick for many years and only use Rotosound and I'm always very pleased..give them a try!

[@scottmeli]

@@billdickie6151 It’s been many years since I’ve used a set of Rotosounds- I’ll have to try them again, thank you.

[@petercollin5670]

"I know all you guys love them, but can't, for the life of me, understand why." *plays bass. It sounds awesome.*

[@MuscleDad420]

Peter Collin yep, exactly. As a tech I have similar feelings re: Rickenbackers but man, they just slay. Love my '79 4001.

[@MFKR696]

It doesn't matter what it sounds like when it's built like shit. Ricks simply were never built to last. I'd take my Ibby BTB over one of these any day of the week. If you want a TRULY great sounding and playing bass, check one of them out. They're the best value for money you can get in a bass.

[@wrobinson1702]

Uh, not really. Try an early (1950's) Fender Bass, like those played by Dusty Hill of ZZ Top or Sting of the Police , and then compare it to a modern Music Man Bass. The sound differences are dramatic. Granted, the bass guitar simply can't as varied and complex in sound as an electric guitar, at least to the human ear. But to say the sound of a bass is dependent only on the amp is an exaggeration. Plus, Hofner copies have long been well known for being very true to the original

[@JimijaymesProductions]

rockhard not at all I can tell you if a bass player is playing a ric or a pbass and I'm doing front of house I am so much happier they just sound rock n roll in completely different ways, modern basses sound different and I hate them for rock n roll, personal taste but basses don't all sound the same.

[@JimijaymesProductions]

Oh and complete bullshit on the amp thing, your telling me a strat, a Les Paul and a guild archtop all sound the same when plugged into a fender twin.

[@oldfriend327]

This video should be made MANDATORY viewing for all Luthier students across the world.

[@justinandsheba]

I still revisit this video every few months when I need a laugh. I can relate because I had one of these monstrosities in the 90s.

[@stvnfour]

Same here. Xmas day just to remind myself not to get another

[@timbrown57]

When my brother was 12 years old (1985) my dad bought him a 1971 or 1972 4001 Rick for $250. I played drums, so we had an in-house rhythm section. That Rick tailpiece is a string eating bastard if you play hard. My dad spent so much money buying rotosounds for my brother that over the course of the next 2 years dad gladly spent another $500 having the fret-board re-applied and new frets, Bartolini pickups, and a L.Q. BADASS tailpiece, and I think new tuners. Essentially, it was completely customized. And they took that bass and turned it into an amazing instrument. Gone was the "Clickenbacker" sound. My brother always played with a pick because he was influenced by Chris Squire early on and the idea of playing it like a guitar made more sense to him - eventually he found guys like Lemmy from Motorhead, Joey DeMaio from Manowar, and a few others who played the bass like a guitar. These days, he uses a thumb pick to give him the option of switching back and forth easily. He eventually sold the Rick and became a steadfast Fender player. I believe he mainly uses Precisions, but I do know he has had at least two Jazz basses. I wish I'd known he was going to sell the Rick because I would have bought it.

[@le0mendez]

"my old nemesis" what a great first line

[@chrisdukeshire3014]

$700 in 1975 = $3256.31 in 2017

[@Andyjpro]

Duke 1117 Bank of Canada says: $3169.44 which is $2548.77 in US funds as of July 30th, 2017

[@sd3falco]

I believe mine (bought new in 1976) was closer to $500. But my memory could be off.

[@TJH3113]

$425 in 1980 all day long at Alto Music in Monsey, NY.

[@f2detaboada]

Duke 1117 holy crap

[@lockedowng]

TJH3113 alto is the best! They moved down the road. I'm in there all the time.

[@LGuitarB]

What?? Having to use Rickenbacker strings or you'll void the warranty???

[@Simbosan]

"it makes some mystical fucking tone" There you go, you made it

[@pensnut08]

Tell us how you really feel Dave... Don't sugar coat it..

[@fuzzshifter]

If I didn't already know my dad, this guy would be suspect.

[@azieran100]

This guy is hilarious! Good vid.

[@JerryHawkins-rr3ry]

I took my 4001 Bass I Bought in 1975 and had it gone through and hot rodded out. It was well worth the 100.00 I spent. I have since bought a Shector Diamond Elite that has the through body neck and the neck is even thinner and just better than my Ricky. Rics are too damn expensive for what they are. They are a beautiful Bass but you have to know what to do with them. You have to fine tune the neck, file the frets and change the saddles all the time. The one thing I hate about the Ricky, is the Bridge. You can buy a Ibanez copy of a Ric at half the price. When you buy a Ric, they are not fine tuned. That you have to do yourself or pay some one that knows what they are doing.

[@vikingmike8139]

I absolutely love the commentary on this channel, and particularly about the Rickenbacker basses. I finally threw in the towel and bought a Fender American Pro II Precision Bass, which is light years ahead in performance and tone without the BS of the 'Rick'. Next on the list is the Fender American Pro II Jazz Bass, just because. Cheers!

[@DavesWorldofFunStuff]

Cool, thanks!

[@kenb.1829]

A talented bass player friend of mine in the mid 90's had a fondness for SOME of a RICK Bass. He would rout a Fender Bass for a Rick pickup.

[@PaulHofreiter]

I don't get the comments. He's not making fun of your kids, is a bass and people have opinions. Oh well. Keep up the good work Dave - enjoyed it as always

[@Nerddough]

I love my ricky bass but I also like watching this dude scream about it

[@steverudolphmusic]

Dave, can you tell me where you got that copper bracelet? I am looking for one very similar. Thanks.

[@turnfordguitars]

Your dislike for the intonation adjuster on ricks, can you reach them from the end of the bridge (where the strings go through. I'm only asking cos I've never setup a rick. Great vids by the way!!!

[@janetsampson1779]

I bought my first Rickenbacker back around 75 as well,I walked in a store and saw a beautiful black Rickenbacher hanging on the wall and I had the money and I fell in love with it so I bought it,I think it was around $895.00 and then I was out west in 1975 playing in clubs with it and I found out the intonation was out and that it couldn't be fixed,luckily I found a store out there that also sold Rickenbacher's so I traded my black one in on a brand new white Rickenbacher and only paid two hundred dollars for it,I played that white for the next forty years or so and finally got rid of it for $850.00,it wasn't white anymore,kind of a pee yellow color,chipped and I was tired of looking at it,I now have a rare white epiphone eb-3 bass that I got at a fairly decent price,I later found out that Paul McCartney's bass player also uses the same bass when he's required to play bass. Bob.

[@rickautry2759]

Is that an EBO L? I hate those gimpie short scale things. The L just feels fantastic (when you're not picking the headstock up off the floor all the time).

[@janetsampson1779]

No it's long scale but it has a heavy neck,they're not expensive basses but I really couldn't afford anything expensive at the time and I found this limited edition EB-3 in white which is kind of unique and rare plus it looked pretty nice so I bought it knowing it would go probably go up in value due to there not being a lot of white EB-3's around. Bob.

[@wa1ufo]

I owned and played a Rick for 3 years until I could unload it. Got a P Bass and loved it. Anyone who loves Ricks are more than welcome to them. I would take one for a gift and then would trade it for a Fender or Ibanez. I own an Ibanez fretless and it is a wonderful axe. Incredible in fact. Always get a kick out of you Dave!

[@DeadKoby]

Interestingly Dave, I have the newer 2015 version of the RIC 4001. Most of the neck adjustment issues, nasal output issues, fret hardness, etc have been fixed in the later models. I know you won't forgive. LOL. I have a few RIC guitars too... the 360, and the 330/12. Fidgety setups... Yep! The sound and feel is something I really like. On the Flip side, I don't own any Fender guitars... I have Gibsons, RIC, and Gretsch and Peavey. I don't "hate" Fender stuff, it's just not my style. Dave got burned by a RIC that drove him bonkers... and I get that. I find that Gibson SG's will drive a tech mad... more so than any other I've worked on.

[@DeadKoby]

Mine has shallow slots on the bridge... Individual saddle height and non-hidden adjustment screws would make the tech's world and easier place. However non-techs are all about how it looks... not how it works. Sales vs. Service. There's always that Amp that sounded great, but now it needs work and we all send sympathy cards to the repair technician. I'll be 100% honest... I've never gotten a guitar from the factory that was set up to my satisfaction... so I worked them ALL over.... Two of my RICs were high at the 1st fret.... Now I like them better. Gibson's adjustable Zero Fret is SUPER!... Love that idea. Have you seen those? Introduced in about 2015.

[@j.d.leslie8458]

DeadKoby Had 2 SGs. Tuning nightmares. Sold both. Bought Korean made PRS Santana model. Awesome axe.

[@DeadKoby]

My current SG isn't too poorly behaved, but by comparison, the LP is better.

[@dog61]

If I could like this most more than once, I'd upvote it a thousand times.

[@foxonahillside2162]

I'm always relieved when I show up to a gig and the bass player is not playing a rick. I'm always happy to see a fender though. I also own both the rick 360 and 330/12 guitars. The design is a PIA but they sound amazing through my ac30. That being said, I think ricks in general are just one trick ponies. I can only use them on a couple of songs before switching to my SG. Unfortunately, my SG has recently acquired a gibson smile.

[@diederikschouten2556]

I don't know if people tell you this a lot, but you have a really great speaking voice! Very relaxed and warm

[@shirtshine73blitz]

Back in 1980'ish I bought a 4003 Rick Bass. I'd had a Gibson EB-3 and a Fender Jazz Bass but thought my dream bass would be a Rick. What a f'n nightmare! The pots were scratchy and spotty, the bridge was, as you show, a total f'fest and the neck changed with every weather shift. Our rehearsal space was robbed and the thieves left my Rick! I finally found an old Mosrite Bass and retired the Rick, right into the pawn shop. Sorry to whoever bought it.

[@Kirke182]

One of the best basses I've ever owned was a fretless Rick. Superb instrument. My ex-buddy thought so too. He stole it.

[@Laqcuerhead]

Guess he wanted it more than you did lol

[@badger4361]

Loool, I loved watching this, I love my 4003, but this was so funny, I love it. Youre right Dave the bridges are a bit pish, it works tho, ye its rough but it works. They are special, I know they get slagged (and some of it is deserved), its still a f~cking good bass, IMHO. What do you think they said to Lemmy said when he asked for strings? I can play metal on my ric, I can play slap on my ric, its got personality in spades, it's got a great neck that plays fast, it's not perfect, but its good in ways I don't know how to communicate if that makes sense... Did ric fire you or something? you just sound really bitter, I'm not saying your wrong, its just...I don't know......I'ts OK I hate random stuff too. ;)

[@runnningonempty]

YUP!...Youre a Democrap..

[@almostliterally593]

My first bass was a 4003 at age 16. I still have it and play it every day.

[@Djarra]

A guy in my local bass shop made the point that those basses sound better with pick and when playing chords. Basically you have to play like McCartney or Lemmy.

[@kingboobs20]

Yeah rics sound best with picks, I thought that was common knowledge.

[@grahammiller9049]

Brie Russell someone forgot to tell Geddy Lee that

[@boogie3718]

Hell, didn't Lemmy put a different bridge on his signature? That says quite something...

[@stvnfour]

Different pickups.

[@reuvencocos9573]

Ok FIRSTLY, I love Rickenbacker guitars. But I love cranky old dudes even more. Thank you Dave. You made my day.

[@davidsix8907]

5:55 and on kills me. True Canadian rage.

[@guitarporn104]

David Six yes,lmao😂😂you cant fake that.

[@pendleeldnep]

a hard earned punch-in-the-face plus a free hug. (great value)

[@gusarmstrong563]

I bought a brand new Rickenbacker for $495 in the US in 1981. I had it and played it regularly for 8 years with no issues. I also used Roto Sounds. Maybe they cost more in Canada? I think Dave bought a lemon and may need some therapy for his Rickophobia? LOL!

[@rogerstorrs8679]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/momsgnmKnphgaq8 I was fond of my IMITATION Ricky - but it DID only cost 50.oo (UK) ;)

[@IPushHard]

He didn't say that playing it was an issue, He said that setting it up was an issue. I suppose that if you never set it up in 8 years, you would be fine.

[@TechnikMeister2]

It forms a pattern. Some guy in the 50s or 60s designs and builds a half decent guitar when no one else is and gets famous. The business grows and then becomes too complex for the founder to manage. Meanwhile a whole host of other guitar makers get on board and because they are in Asia, all their tooling is new and with more easily achievable quality, plus lower labour costs, they undercut the original, but with better quality. People stop buying the original. Sales decline as does profitability. So the geniuses then raise the prices and skimp on quality to try to regain profitability. Stories come out that these "legend" guitars are actually junk and badly made because the tooling and equipment is ancient and the labour is unskilled. Sales decline further. They bring out retro versions and cheap versions and then it dawns on the market...dealers and consumers, that these are worse than the cheap clones. Thats where we are today. You know who the brands are. You can buy a $500 version made in Korea, Japan or Indonesia and actually end up with a better product than one made in the USA, costing ten times as much.

[@paulrickson9796]

Not exactly applicable to Rickenbacker Inc., but excellent points nonetheless.

[@thestuffmikedoes2309]

Your story is true--but is not the case at all at Rickenbacker. They've stayed the same size despite increasing volume for years, refusing to grow too big out a concern for quality control.

[@thestuffmikedoes2309]

@@pbassboxing I didn’t say they don’t have QC issues “lol”

[@iddqd85]

I scrimped and saved for years, and was finally able to buy my own 4003 - such an exciting time! Then the actual instrument arrived... It definitely had "that" sound, but from the very get-go it was riddled with neck problems. The truss rods were maxed out, and the neck was STILL warped so far forward, I avoided playing above the 10th fret. Took it to two different luthiers over a year's time as the neck warp grew progressively worse, both of which were left scratching their heads, unwilling to tamp the truss rods down any further for fear of breaking them. When the warping had reached a severity that was causing the fretboard finish to crack and flake off, I finally reached out to Rickenbacker, hoping that they would stand behind their product. Suffice it to say, they absolutely and unapologetically did NOT. For the life of me, I cannot understand how a company can have NO shits to give when they manufacture and sell such an expensive, iconic product. And that is why I will just take my chances with a knockoff from DHGate. I tried going the legit route, and if anything, the "Chickenbacker" will certainly be a far, FAR LESS expensive disappointment than the real thing...

[@davidmonteforte485]

Hey Dave I have a 1968 Gibson Thunderbird Bass do you have any thoughts and videos on the Thunderbird Basses?

[@mordred1892]

8:05 "This is a really distinctive tone compared to all other basses I pluged in to this little amp". Well... there you go then! hahahahah

[@gutbucket260]

That's the point. Idiot admits it after dissing it. To work on a Ric, you have to be a wee bit smarter then a Ric. Kind of like training a dog.

[@ileutur6863]

@@gutbucket260 any bass can sound like that. They're still overpriced garbage

[@diegodelacuadra2617]

@@gutbucket260 your point is valid until you're charged $2k for a badly designed bass that's gonna cost you quite a bit in aftermarket parts

[@williamolsen20]

I don't hate Rickenbacker's, but I do not think they are worth the price.

[@markviereck4547]

My favorite bass player played a ric his whole career. Chris squire

[@estebueno9693]

Ian Viereck I was gonna mention Chris Squire but I figured someone beat me to it lol

[@bretdouglas9407]

Ian Viereck yup

[@glennhecker4422]

@alterdestiny No; actually Ian spelled it correctly. The "Squier" spelling is for Billy Squier and also Squier musical instruments.

[@tigerscott2966]

The tone is all that's unique about this bass... $3,000 for a bass that has to be modified as soon as you get it out of the box.. Over priced, over hypermedia and over sold...

[@dennisodowd8269]

Dave what size feeler gauge were you using on the neck relief?

[@westcoastgoose]

Dave I own over 30 basses... and my number one that I play almost exclusively, is my 4003W walnut body, maple fret board. And I put whatever strings I want on it. BTW the magic tone comes from those hollow partial surrounds that pop up on either side of the strings at the bridge and there's no beating them in my book. So basically what I'm saying is, each to their own. And hey.... at least they don't have a Japanese or Mexican division. Dude, I own many Fenders, Gibsons and others but I always say....Rics rule!

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

RIP CLIFF BURTON

[@mooseteets]

dave i love how salty you get :) i didnt even know ticklesack made strings...

[@gregg4164]

Yeah and Geddys sound went from amazing to near none existent.

[@calebangell77]

gregg4164 I bet you think Moving Pictures was recorded on a Ric.

[@floouk]

Caleb Angell most of it was. Tom Sawyer was recorded with his jazz

[@c.j.daniel5399]

I've read that Geddy himself has said that he used his Rickenbacker on 3 tracks from "Moving Pictures": "Red Barchetta," "The Camera Eye," and "Limelight." The rest were the Fender Jazz.

[@fredleary5931]

The RIC tone on Red Barchetta is beautiful and unmistakable, but you're right about the jazz bass taking most of the limelight. They're by far easier to play, but seeing someone play a RIC is like seeing someone driving a classic car... You always want to see it again.

[@dog61]

Geddy always sounds like Geddy, no matter what's he's playing. I saw him play with Yes at the RRHoF induction. He played a J, but totally nailed Chris Squire's tone.

[@stevecooper658]

I love your stuff man! Thanks for the honesty!

[@mr.logicpants2835]

Dave, nice review. Very honest. The action that you talked about is totally true. When i owned one, i could NEVER get the strings low enough. It was the reason i got rid of it. But just like you, I wanted to sound like Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, and the like that had that sound.

[@evanherb5900]

Completely shit engineering, nonexistent ergonomics, pretty good sound in the right hands, a distinctive (and trademarked) body outline, and a steaming turd of a CEO to top it all off. They sure do like skating on thin ice, don't they?

[@ilpatongi]

It's the Grado of basses

[@RoachDoggJr2112]

Just like Gibson or Harley Davidson.

[@astrophotonics9470]

Guy that owns this Ricky probably fells real good about his bass right now after watching this....

[@innocentoctave]

I was actually impressed with how much care Dave took with this instrument considering that a) he hates the type b) substance impairment. That's the tech you want. Also: Chris Squire. No further argument required.

[@anthonymussari8783]

an 18 year old with $700 in 1975...must have been nice

[@jugaajugaa5210]

fiveinchesofwow bet those dollars bills were worth a lot more back then.

[@duffbaker9554]

It was common to pay via the lay-a-way plan. That's how I purchased my first new 4001 in 1980 as a 15 year old. Each month, I'd go to the music store and make my monthly payment (I had an after-school paper route, btw). When I had made the last payment, I took that baby home with me. Still have it and still sounds awesome: a burgundy-glo 4001.

[@rbeckhoff89]

Anthony Mussari I worked hard for It . I was 19 in 1975. I bought mine.at a Long since closed music store in Northeast Philly ( Music city) 700. I did trade in a Gibson EBO. I would go in an give thr 50, 100, ot 75 week. Until I came to the total.. I forget the exact price upper 6s or 700. When I picked it up it was sealed in the hardshell case an the Ric was sealed in.brown paper like a shopping bag .. I loved it. I sold when I got married years latter for 425

[@artemisshaffer8654]

Worked a summer job as a school janitor, paper route, mowed lawns, babysat, and in '71 at the ripe old age of 16 I was a very proud owner of a gibson sg that I lusted for at the local music shop. It can still be done, son did it too from a jack in the box gig (strat).

[@AcornFox]

It's not unrealistic to have a job at 18.

[@leiferickson9666]

Yeah, well Paul McCartney, and Chris Squier sound pretty powerful playing their Ricks, yeah tougher to set up but does that defeat you. Just adjust the basses, you always figure things out. I do like the Fender P Bass very much. They play great, cost much cheaper for a quality Bass. Others are great too.......🍁

[@HenryDavisMinot]

delightful video. keep up the great work, Dave!

[@tammiavery1964]

Someone's been drinking!!!!!!!

[@j_freed]

Tammi Avery - good, keep us posted.

[@ittdust]

Came home drunk ready to beat his bass guitar

[@RossG61]

ikr. Would you take your instrument to this guy to 'fix'? Not a snowflake's chance in hell I would.

[@RossG61]

Well that's you your prerogative Martin. As much as it is a subjective thing, I don't hear any humour, mostly some bitterness. irrespective of whether he knows what he is doing, my impression from this particular video is that there is someone who probably should not be handling instruments with sharp(ish) tools around them. My luthier is a thorough professional and would never compromise my instrument, something the person in this video does not appear to demonstrate. If you choose to ignore that, then that is also your prerogative. Cheers.

[@deeremeyer1753]

You have a PERSONAL LUTHIER? I was under the impression that luthiers BUILD instruments where "guitar techs" are the guys who do work on them. If you have someone else - by any name - doing the "work" on a relatively simple machine like a guitar, then you're probably not qualified to be judging anyone who can work on his own instruments, drunk or sober.

[@53dbliss]

i played a 74 4001 that i paid three bags of pot for (case not included).... i loved it played through an svt with 8 10's and 15 reflex cab Dave...you sound a little jaded...ha

[@trevorlindsey580]

As right as you are about all those hassles inherent with Rickenbackers, the truth is your 1975 4001 bass was the best they ever made, and they are fantastic playing and sounding basses....once you get it all dialed in. That of course requires modification of the circuit, pickup placement, bridge refiling, and most importantly, correctly adjusting the truss rods. On those mid 70's basses, you have to loosen the rods, clamp the neck into the (not under string tension) position you want, and then lightly tighten the rods. The rods do not move the neck on their own. This incorrect adjusting has led to most Ricks being sold, ruined or hated. My conclusion is only a very experienced luthier can own one of these, or you have to buy one from said experienced luthier. As a fellow long time luthier, I feel your pain Dave.

[@simonkormendy849]

Hey Dave, I had the good fortune to meet, and play music with Jimmy Barnes's nephew recently this year, he sounds a lot like Jimmy Barnes when he sings, really nice guy, very friendly.

[@BigRed4231]

Do they still make the Rickenbackers like this, you have to undwind the strings to intonate it?