The Ric 4001 ...

[uwe]

... was the first bass shape that caught my attention (needless to say in my case: as played by Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes of DP) and inspired my awe. Other basses just looked like large guitars, but this thing was different I thought ...

[Barklessdog]

My sons Ric, which has a chunky neck surprisingly.

[hieronymous]

Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes were huge influences on me, both musically and Rick-obsession-wise. I had a Japanese Deep Purple picture book while I was in high school, and I would just stare at the pictures of Roger Glover with his 4001, also Glenn Hughes on the back cover of the Made in Europe album. Actually, now that I think of it, my second-ever bass was a Fernandes copy of Paul McCartney's Rickenbacker in its natural finish form:

(This is probably around 1983-4)

It wasn't until 2002 that I found a beautiful Autumnglo 4001 in the window of my local guitar store:


I have a feeling that I will never sell this bass. I've got a few other Rics that I picked up after this one, but this being my first it's special. Plus the finish isn't that common - they came out with Montezuma Brown a few years ago which is similar, but those had white trim - black pickguards are easy enough to acquire, but black truss rod covers are another story.

I'll post more about this bass later - I had some interesting work done to it lately...

[chromium]

There's no doubt that the White Album, and this both changed my life:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-6xmcGvJHc&feature=related

...and growing up during the post-punk/new-wave era, I couldn't help but be influenced by stuff like this too:



Needless to say, I was also obssessed with Rics early on.

I got my 4001 probably around 1988, which would have made me 15-or-so.  I grew up in Houston, TX, so I'd kill myself all summer mowing peoples foot-deep grass, and then blow the proceeds on music-related stuff.  My dad used to take me to a store called Rockin' Robin.  Those guys always had an amazing spread of old gear.  On one trip there, I went in the back room, and they were having some kind of blowout sale on used 4001s.  There must have been a dozen or so on stands setup in a big V-formation in the middle of the room.  I went nuts- played every one of them, and ended up getting the one that felt best to me - a 1978 MapleGlo 4001.  It was around $250 w/OHSC.  That was a lot of money to me!  My dad helped with some of it (thankfully he is Yes fan too  ).

I may not play it as much as I should, but no matter what - it will never be sold:





It's currently setup more "Macca" than "Squire" - running a set of Roto Jazz Flats on it.  I've never attempted to modify it either.  Still has the cap.

[hieronymous]

It's currently setup more "Macca" than "Squire" - running a set of Roto Jazz Flats on it.  I've never attempted to modify it either.  Still has the cap.

Flats on a Rickenbacker - I've still never tried that.

It's interesting - I was definitely aware that Paul McCartney, Chris Squire and Geddy Lee played Rickenbackers, and they were such huge influences on me, but Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes still stick out to me as being so cool visually.

And $250 for your Mapleglo - I thought I had a bargain at $800 six years ago - prices are absurd now!

[leftybass]

It was Squire who first made me aware of Ric basses, even tho' I was a Beatles fan as far back as the mid-60s it was the 70s before I noticed McCartney played a Ric, and that hooked me even more. The third Ric player to catch my eye/ear and really solidify the fact that I NEEDED a Ric bass was Bruce Foxton of The Jam. I was just learning to play when Punk broke and my band in the late70s/early 80s, The Stiffs, were totally into The Jam.
So, I own these:

[hieronymous]

All your basses are cool, but I love that pic with the Fish Out Of Water vinyl!

[godofthunder]

Yeah Baby Rickenbackers ! The best Ric I ever had was a 4000 that was cleared out in the early '80s. New I think I paid............................ I kid you not $250 dealer cost, I wish I never sold it. Right now I have a C64 Fireglo that I love, Just like Pauls ! Uwe man I remember when Deep Purple came out with Made in Japan. I was playing a Hofner through a Traynor YBA1 and a 1x18 cab................... huh ? Why doesn't my bass sound like that guys (Roger Glover) I don't list him often in my influences but if I stop and think about it I realise just how ground breaking he was. Here is my C64

[godofthunder]

 Uwe you are right Rickenbackers are different ! With out a doubt the most well thought out first generation electric  bass. Neck through construction, full access to the upper register, duel truss rods and a amazing ergonomic design, far ahead of our beloved Gibsons or Fenders of the time.

[SKATE RAT]

i've been itchin' for a Ric for a long time.one of my favorite basses.just a little pricey.

[drbassman]

OK, here's my only Ric.  I do play it once in awhile!  It's a 2006 Midnight Blue, beautiful.

[Barklessdog]

Funny, now everyone comes out of the closet with their Rics!

Great basses

[ilan]

The first time I saw a Ric bass "in person" was in high school, in a jazz concert, in 1977. I think this was the first and only jazz player I've seen with a Ric bass. I was mesmerized, I thought it was the best looking bass I had ever seen. It was a pre-73 Azureglo, with checkerboard binding, toaster, full-width crushed pearl inlays...

Then I discovered Roger Glover and Chris Squire. The bass sound in Pictures of Home... I think I listened to Machine Head and Yes' Fragile hundreds of times, until I wore out the vinyls.

My first Ric was a 1973 Jetglo 4001. Foolishly I sold it, but later I got a chance to buy a Shadow for $750... and I was in love again. The sound, the looks, these basses play and sound like no other. Soon after I got the Shadow, I bought a white '73 4001. The shadow is my "clank" Ric, with fresh DR Lo Riders, and the white '73 is my "thump" Ric, either with TI Jazz Flats or dead TI Jazz Rounds.

[Chris P.]

I have 4005WB and a 3000 and I used to own another 3000 and a 3001. I also had a '76 4001 once, but it was a bad sounding bass with a non original bridge. Sold it to buy the 4005, so no regrets.

I want a 4001 or 4003 once, cos they're and beautiful and great sounding. I played a 4003 once and I think it's my ideal bass, along with the T-Bird. But because it's the ideal bass, I won't buy one soon... You have to have dreams!

I love the 4001 of the The View bass player.

[Bert]

My sons Ric, which has a chunky neck surprisingly.

Certain years have chunky necks. Which year is your son's Rick?