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

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

Headline: old man shouts at bass guitar.

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

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

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.

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.

two output jacks one for each trussrod

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

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.

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

Bullshit, Dave was never 18.

$700 in 1975 = $3256.31 in 2017

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Grumpy Dave is back, love it!

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.

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.

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.

Jesus this man is a lunatic! I like him.

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.

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

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..

"my old nemesis" what a great first line

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

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

This guy is hilarious! Good vid.

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...

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

I like watching this every now and then, cracks me up, I love Rickenbackers but everything you say is true lol

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.

This guy cracks me up. I can totally relate. I have done pro guitar repair for year. I can tell you, you WILL become jaded. It happens. When you do this for a long time, you will see how companies cut corners and how customers get ripped off by poorly engineered junk. If I made repairs videos, mine wouldn't be too much different.

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

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.

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

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.

As God as witness, How much longer before Rickenbacker builds their basses with *ONE* "two-way" Truss Rod AND preferably with two Graphite Reinforcement Rods?

I return to this video regularly, great storytelling

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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. ;)

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

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

I own a 76 Rickenbacker bass and have played it for forty years.I bought it used in 79. I always used Dean Markley half round half ground strings on it. Sounds like rotosound string as they are round wound over the pick ups but plays like flat wound strings where they are ground smooth over the frets. Never needed a fret job in forty years and always loved the sound. No other bass can sound like a Rick. Deep and mellow or bright and crisp...if you want, both at the same time. I always bi amped the stereo output. I could take this bass out of the case after being at 10 below zero and while other guitarists would take an hour to get their guitars in stable tune. I would just check it and it was always in tune. In forty years I never had to adjust the truss rods, string height, or intonation.I played it hard, slapping popping and aggressive pick playing...I NEVER broke a string. Dave's story makes no sense to me. I can only imagine that there must be more to the story that he is not telling.

I posted a Craigslist ad to sell a custom made 5 string bass. Long story short, the dude that showed up told me this sad story about how he just had a deal on a Rickenbacker fall through. I showed him mine, he fell in love and gave me 80% of what I paid for it new. So glad that gooched fucking thing is out of my life. What do I play now? A 2014 American Standard Precision! Peace!

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

I thin Ive watched this a dozen times and its still funny

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

There... on the wall... hung a $1700 Rickenbacker and a $1500 Fender American P-Bass. For a second there, I thought about the buying the Rickenbacker... and then I walked out with the P-Bass. Life. Is. Good. Thanks for saving me the headaches Dave!

LOL! I paid 1100 for my black and white Rick in 1979. After 4 years of playing it I finally realized It was the BIGGEST mistake I had ever made at that point in my life! Also it was the MOST EXPENSIVE piece of FIREWOOD ever purchased! Thanx Dave I TOTALLY AGREE!

And I feel the same way about Floyd-rose guitar bridges!!!!

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.

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

Never owned an old Rickenbacker, but my 2022 4003 FG is bad ass. They have re-engineered the bridge, single truss rod and the tone us amazing. I know some people only lime Fenders because they are the easiest bass to not suck at, but mastering a Ric is so worth the effort if you can.

Thanks for the support

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

The neck is twisting now

LMFAO! Yeah... I replaced the stock bridge with a solid brass hipshot replica... (and replaced the neck single coil with a Rickenbacker humbucker) But I LOVE my freaking Rick! Nothing plays or sounds like a properly tweaked Rickenbacker!

Can confirm every single criticism. These things are an ergonomic disaster. It took me 4 years to come to my senses. And yes, I can confirm the story about the voiding the warranty with other strings (here in Oz). If you can afford it, get a P, J and a Ray. Jobs done.

This is probably the video Rickenbacker saw and they finally started putting improved bridges and single truss rods in the 4003. 😂

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.

Last show I saw Rush was R40,,,Geddy played his ricks a lot. The sound is unmistakeable! I bought My 1st 4003 in 1980 sold it in 84 to buy the prototype of the Victor wooten Line,,,Fodera made a great Basses,,,as for Fender basses I have played a few lifeless anchors in my day..Just not that good of a bass, don't know what all the fuss is>?...My Rick was great, and just after 35 years will drive myself nuts with a gorgeous 4 string Rick,,,cept I'm not dumb enough to buy a new One....ohh and Pressurewounds are the strings you want for the older 4001's with the softer frets,,,Squire Rules!

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?

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.

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.

ah yessss, the Warp-o-matic Dual truss rod system. niiiiceeeeeee

Why did Chris Squire play it all the way to the end of his life if it's such a piece of shit?

this was very entertaining to watch, but in the end that ric sounded fucking killer. If playing tech guy on a ric is so damn painful, then pay the $100 bucks for someone else to do it. in my opinion, that sound is totally worth it.

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

My brother had one and bought it because Paul McCartney played one during the 1970s. McCartney played the Rickenbocker begiinning with Revolver and then went to a Fender on the White Album and returned to the Hofner. When McCartney went solo, he played the Rickebocker again; during the 1970s that is.

The Chrysler of basses.