Can't decide between two good basses.

[dmilt23451]

If you have the $ for a Ric then get a Sadowski and be done with your search forever. Ask anyone that plays or has played one they are one of the best representations of the standard Fender affair. Sits great in the mix live and in the studio and can even make guys like Fletcher smile who demand a "Fender"

[robot gigante]

P Basses are standard for a reason, but..

get the Ric!!

[muziekschuur]

Get the instrument you will be most pleased with. A bassplayer is chosen for their sound. So "how good are those fingers".

Those fingers will make the difference. Both basses have countless nr. 1 hits under their belt.

When playing in a band I think the Rick may be easier to follow for other bandmembers due to it's soundprint. (in harsh conditions).

[LimpyLoo]

Rickenbacker!
[I always wanted one...]

[gideon352]

Another vote for the P-Bass.

[BlueMountain]

Thanks guys.

I forgot I'd started this thread when delerious with a really bad flu, which I'm now over. Your answers were very analytical, thoughtful and carefully considered. Thank you very much for you replies. Each and every one of them had something valuable to take from it.

I've decided that I'll probably end up with both eventually with the dilemma now being which one to get first?

The smart answer may be the P Bass. However, a stockist in the UK currently has a Rickenbacker 4003 for £1525 which is a great deal compared to my local shop which has one for £1799.

The only problem with the £1525 one is that I can't examine or play it before buying due to the distance. Although I've been told that the quality of the Ricks are usually consistent (are they?), if it's got dint or scratch in it, it would be impossible to prove I never did it.

One slight gripe about the one in my local shop, in addition to the price, is that the maple fingerboard is slightly darker (but not overly so) than usual. The shop assistant agreed with me on this but expressed a view that this may make it a unique entity on resale. However, my fear hear is that it may also prove to be the opposite.

Any views on remote guitar purchases?

BM.

[mintytowel]

+1 on the nash P-bass. I played every vintage fender in Hollywood and chose the nash. Sounds and plays amazing. I have always wanted an old Ric as well, but P bass is pretty standard.

[Conn.Lucas]

Originally Posted by mintytowel

+1 on the nash P-bass. I played every vintage fender in Hollywood and chose the nash. Sounds and plays amazing. I have always wanted an old Ric as well, but P bass is pretty standard.

IMHO, I have played a Nash PB-63 and I own a Fender Road Worn P Bass. I must say that the Road Worn certainly holds it's own against the Nash at half the price on the used market. Just sayin..

[the_gof]

The Precision. Ricks are wonderful, but people play them exactly because they sound like Ricks. They do that one thing, very well, like Les Pauls. If you were playing live, and the Rick sound was what you liked, awesome. For recording, unless you specifically want that sound, you want the P.

[SteelyDani]

Originally Posted by Keith Sylvester

In very simplified terms:

P-Bass goes "Thump"
Ricky goes "GRRRRRRR"

Which sound are you looking for?

Excellent description!

[edwonbass]

A G&L L2000 is a great bass that can do a lot of different sounds. Mine always seems to make it onto my bass tracks.

[reddirt]

If you're looking for a variety of sounds that'll hang the distance try a deluxe Precision with the active P/J set up. Assuming you get a good one, the sound is big and versatile while the hardware is excellent unlike your Squire.
You can use it in most settings and you can eq a Rickish sound; far more useable than the Rick (I owned a stereo 4001 once) which as has been said are a bit one trick.
Cheers, Ross

[Drumsound]

Originally Posted by Keith Sylvester

In very simplified terms:

P-Bass goes "Thump"
Ricky goes "GRRRRRRR"

Which sound are you looking for?

This is one of the all time best GS posts!!!

Originally Posted by edwonbass

A G&L L2000 is a great bass that can do a lot of different sounds. Mine always seems to make it onto my bass tracks.

Mine isn't even wired quite right, and that's still true.

[kennybro]

P is great. Like an SM57 on a snare. It just works.
The Rick is no slouch, but more specific taste. McCartney's done OK with one.

If you settle on the P, do yourself a favor and see if you can locate a Lakland, just to check it out. I used P's for decades, until I found Lakland. Sold all of the Fenders.

[kafka]

Originally Posted by edwonbass

A G&L L2000 is a great bass that can do a lot of different sounds. Mine always seems to make it onto my bass tracks.

I have a G&L L2000. Very versatile. Love it.

[BlueMountain]

Cheers guys

Any thoughts on buying guitars remotely without trying them? My gut instinct on this one is that its a no no.


BM

[coffeecup77]

Originally Posted by BlueMountain

Cheers guys

Any thoughts on buying guitars remotely without trying them? ...

Yeah : Always follow Gut Instinct. Just like Mama, he knows best.

Cheers.

[BlueMountain]

Originally Posted by coffeecup77

Yeah : Always follow Gut Instinct. Just like Mama, he knows best.

Cheers.

Well spoken my friend.

[lds]

Originally Posted by BlueMountain

Cheers guys

Any thoughts on buying guitars remotely without trying them? My gut instinct on this one is that its a no no.


BM

Unless it's a stupidly low price I wouldn't on a Rickenbacker. The necks are all hand shaped, and I've noticed quite a bit of variance between the ones I've played. FWIW, I've tried pretty much every one I've seen in a music store for the last twenty or so years in a attempt to find another one that feels like mine, and so far none of them have been quite the same.

[texasguitar903]

as long as its easy to play, and you like the feel...you can make a bass sound however you want. I got a pawnshop bass that rivals a P-bass in tone, just not aesthetics.

[BlueMountain]

Originally Posted by lds

Unless it's a stupidly low price I wouldn't on a Rickenbacker. The necks are all hand shaped, and I've noticed quite a bit of variance between the ones I've played. FWIW, I've tried pretty much every one I've seen in a music store for the last twenty or so years in a attempt to find another one that feels like mine, and so far none of them have been quite the same.

Blimey...I had no idea there was so much inconsistency between them. Remote buying is now out.

Inspiring find @texasguitar903.

[ScottTunes]

Originally Posted by BlueMountain

"middle pickup"??

Is there a new upgrade I'm unaware of, or are you referring to the push pull knobs which change a capacitor in the circuit? BM

Firstly, smart-ass retorts are no better than dumb-ass comments...

2nd, if you compare pick-up positions on Fender Jazz, Precision and Rickenbacker 4003, you'll note 3 p'up positions: Precision = "sweet spot," but is more or less the "middle" position. As is the "neck" Jazz p'up, and "bridge" 4003 pup.

And, yes, the newest 4003s have a switch that bypasses the lows in the "sweet spot" p'up, which gives it an even more trebly sound.

Those posters who claim the Rick has just one signature sound have obviously never played one professionally for any length of time. Yes, you can get that twangy, growly, "Yes" (Chris Squire) kind of sound. And I believe Rickys do this better than any other! But there is also the complete other end of the spectrum, which McCcartney typifies in both The Beatles, and Wings. It's possible to achieve a deeper sound with the Rick than the fenders because the neck p'up is truly a neck position p'up, and not just near the middle (or sweet spot) position.

The wider range of tones from the pickups is partly why the 4003 is more versatile than the 2 Fenders (having 40 years experience with all 3, live and in studio, and getting paid for said experiences, makes me somewhat of an expert).

For example, there is more twang and treble on tap from the 4003 (with RW strings) than a Precision (with the same strings). There is also more low end from the 4003 (particularly with flats) than a Jazz... So, IMO/IME, the 4003 covers everything that the Fenders can do, and many tones they cannot. That makes it more versatile.

It should have been enough to simply say 4003 range goes from McCartney to Squire (as mentioned in my first post)!

[jimmyrayhancock]

I have a Jazz, a P deluxe, and a MM Stingray all are great great basses. I love playing all of them for different reasons.
Personally if I was you, and decided I would get both, I would get the Ric first. You can always find someone to take it off your hands if you need.
As for the p bass, I would recommend the deluge p for the bridge pickup.
Also a nice jazz to look into is the Marcus miller sig jazz. I had one for a while and broke the neck. Saddest day ever. It has an option to play as a passive or active bass.
Someone else said to change out your electronics in your jazz... I do that with almost anything I buy. You would be surprised at how much better the bass will sound with upgraded pots a new cap and upgraded wiring, and then if you top that with new pickups and maybe a bridge and tuners... It's like a brand new world.
I've actually had really good luck buying guitars online. I always prefer to play them first, but all the basses I mentioned at the beginning of the post I bought online, and got really lucky with them. So don't completely write that idea off, but for something like a Ric at least make sure there is a good return policy.
Good luck.

[sgmw]

Originally Posted by BlueMountain

Cheers guys

Any thoughts on buying guitars remotely without trying them? My gut instinct on this one is that its a no no.


BM

I am a lefty and have had to buy a number of guitars remotely including a Ric 330/12. Admittedly no basses but I have never had any issues. A Gibson Custom shop Flying V once arrived with a cracked neck but they took it straight back no problems.

Buy the Ric, tune it to Eb, get the mic nice and high, start pounding on the lowest string, tilt your head back and scream "If you like to gamble I tell you I'm your man...."

[lds]

Originally Posted by BlueMountain

Blimey...I had no idea there was so much inconsistency between them. Remote buying is now out.

Inspiring find @texasguitar903.

Maybe, maybe not. I'm extremely sensitive to the feel of necks, due to an injury to my left hand many years ago. I have a matching pair of Fenders P-Bass Lytes that I played live with for many years. Outwardly, and to most other people, they're identical, but I can definitely tell which is which by the feel of the neck.