LeftyBassist.com

Lefties will be available later this year according to their FB page .... OH MY GOD!!! there's even pics of a couple of them on the FB page
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..
... I just went into cardiac arrest ....

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=254340281316297&set=a.236064636477195.57331.235019996581659&type=3

I wonder what prices will be like

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!

This news means my 4001 might be worth less.

The comment here made me grin

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1

it also will mean the end of ridiculously high ebay auctions. Consequently, once production increases we're likely to see more basses and guitars come out of the closet and into the light at affordable and reasonable price levels.

In the US, yes. Yesterday, in Paris, I saw a new 4003, for 2050euros. So the 2nd hand market for lefty ricks gonna stay high here.

Yay! This means, if you order one today at your local Ric retailer, and you put away $50 a week... you'll probably have more than enough to pay for it by the time you actually get it!

This is awesome news! I really really want to try one of these out first. What color do you think they will make these? I am really hoping for Jet Glo or Azure Glo, or tuxedo white myself (I know tuxedo ain't happening).

Would anyone on this board let me try their Rick out if I came into town? I don't care if vintage or not, I just want to get a feel for the neck and sound before I plunk down money and think about selling my American Deluxe.

Here are the places that I know I will be going to in the next three months for work:

Seattle, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Denver, CO
New York, NY
Chicago, IL
Ithaca, NY
Detroit, MI

There may be more, but I usually find out pretty last second.

Thanks.

Just wondering, what do 4003 sound like against a Jazz or a P? When I think Ric I think Macca bassy. Maybe I need to listen to Yes to hear the other side. Dumb question I know, but please don't flame me.

In my experience with a Rick, Paul's sound is a bit unusual. For a more typical setting, check out The Hives' "Hate To Say I Told You So" at around 2:09
http://youtu.be/MCQ7VLoY7bQ

Or Screaming Females' "Boyfriend"
http://youtu.be/V1sWHW8L414

Agreed. The typical Rick sound is more snarly, but Paul always dialed in the thump. I love the angry tone the best.

I admire Rick's for their unusual styling, build quality, and cool factor, and obviously you all have a reverence for them, but I've never had a desire to own one. don't know why really, but as you all know, some designs either have appeal, or don't. Take the ATK for example - I think they look very cool, and some people think they're just downright ugly. The Rick though, to me, is a very cool looking bass, but somehow, it looks too sixties to me. Funny how a P or J is older, but the body design has never gone out of style, and, of course, has become the most copied body out there. OK, enough rambling.... and this is not a diss on Rick's at all...

Paul's thump on the Ric came from - or if he's still using it, comes from - flatwounds

You are correct sir.

Hey Fivebass:

I listened to the Hives video. Holy Smokes! That sound is angry, from a passive bass. That seems just as angry as a Sterling. I love it!! So impressed they an get this from a passive bass. Thank you Agent Soul

I agree about the 60's look, but it seems like Ric can still be getting a ton of sales with it. Wow, I want to get my hands on one to try out, and see how the ergonomics are. I love my Jazz, but jeez, this gave me something to think about. My music is a lot less angry then the Hives, given that I do Gospel and Contemporary Christian. But I could see that punch being useful. I saw a couple of you tube video of a guy playing some of the soungs I do on a Rick, and it sounded sweet. Jazz basses and Stingrays is what I see most in my seen.

Has it already started? Here is a 4003 with a starting bid of "only" $1500:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Rickenback ... 0847824435

Let the flood begin!!!!!

Great idea to try one first. They're not like any other bass. Playing with a pick is tough, because you have to hit further forward than you're used to on other basses, due to the construction of the bridge. Fingering is harder than on other basses, too, because there aren't any convenient thumb rests. And slapping is hardest of all.

I eventually replaced my Rick with a MusicMan Sting Ray, which had all the same sounds but was much easier to play and more comfortable to wear.

But people love Ricks and swear by them, so they're good instruments. Just make sure to play one for at least an hour before you commit.

Dang, must've been doing something wrong all these years.
I only play with a pick, and mostly on Rics, I've always found it easier to play on a Ric as there's always a nice pickup cover to rest your hand on.

Arthritic Tom:

Thanks for the heads up on the Ric. I have only been playing for about two years, so any advice from more experienced people is always appreciated. Also, good to know that the Ric and Stingray are in the same neighborhood tone wise. I know what a Stingray sounds like based on first hand experience. Played for about an hour, loved the construction, sort of meh on tone, at least soloed. (I have not played a Ray in a band context). I don't have first hand experience with a Ric, yet. I tend to do a lot of research on these things.

I was just about to post on in a separate trade that I have been offered and will want people's opinion's on. Would love for you to weigh in.

Ronn: I wish I could play with a pic the way you do on the videos I have seen. I play fingers, and my pick playing is solely lots of downstrokes on the root, and an occasional "walk".