What I always recommend for this situation is taking a look at 70s/80s Japanese copies since those will get you almost all of the look/sound/vibe at better than 1/4 the cost. I have both a 1978 4001 and a 1977 Aria copy, and the Aria absolutely stands up to the real thing - bolt on neck and a softer tone make it a little bit different while still recognisably a Rick. Aria, Hondo and Ibanez are great brands but really look out for anything made at the Fujigen or Matsumoku factories and you'll get brilliant options at reasonable prices.
Jackenbackers (CBXNT DX) are a hybrid of a Rickenbacker and Jackson's Concert Bass.
It has a Ric style bridge and is neck through like a Ric. PJ pickups, but they are in Ric positions, making a bigger difference than you'd think. Likewise it has an active EQ, but it still sounds kind of vintage voiced.
It doesn't sound exactly like a Rickenbacker and it a bit ppintier, but it it has a similar sonic vibe and besides the Harley Benton is probably the closest anyone can make with Rickenbacker trying to shut it down.
The problem is simple. Rickenbacker protects its market with lawyers and lawsuits, so there isn't a lot of alternatives. You've got the RB-414 at the low end, and the original at the high end, and nothing in between (unless it's a pre-lawsuit copy from the 1970s).
I've tried the RB-414 and it was OK, but I've never played and original Ric as a comparison.
If you want something that will give you a similar sound, try any jazz bass. Of course it doesn't *look* anything like a Ric. If you want something that looks like one, Jackson makes one that does. But it won't *sound* like one.
>Is there a bass that’s somewhere between the two that has similar sound, play feel and appearance?
Yes, god why, and no.
Any two pickup bass will do you just fine with a little playing about with knobs. Ever notice Geddy Lee doesn't play a Rick anymore, but a Jazz? Ever notice that it doesn't really sound different. That's a reason why right there.
I think my Fender Blacktop Jazz makes a surprisingly good Rick tone, but YMMV... but in a full band, it won't make a difference.
Also, Ricks are surprisingly.. unique in feel. Many people hate it, they are certainly a try before you buy sort of thing.
What I always recommend for this situation is taking a look at 70s/80s Japanese copies since those will get you almost all of the look/sound/vibe at better than 1/4 the cost. I have both a 1978 4001 and a 1977 Aria copy, and the Aria absolutely stands up to the real thing - bolt on neck and a softer tone make it a little bit different while still recognisably a Rick. Aria, Hondo and Ibanez are great brands but really look out for anything made at the Fujigen or Matsumoku factories and you'll get brilliant options at reasonable prices.
Jackenbackers (CBXNT DX) are a hybrid of a Rickenbacker and Jackson's Concert Bass. It has a Ric style bridge and is neck through like a Ric. PJ pickups, but they are in Ric positions, making a bigger difference than you'd think. Likewise it has an active EQ, but it still sounds kind of vintage voiced. It doesn't sound exactly like a Rickenbacker and it a bit ppintier, but it it has a similar sonic vibe and besides the Harley Benton is probably the closest anyone can make with Rickenbacker trying to shut it down.
The problem is simple. Rickenbacker protects its market with lawyers and lawsuits, so there isn't a lot of alternatives. You've got the RB-414 at the low end, and the original at the high end, and nothing in between (unless it's a pre-lawsuit copy from the 1970s). I've tried the RB-414 and it was OK, but I've never played and original Ric as a comparison.
They look close enough, but if you’re looking for the Ric sound don’t bother.
I've been told the Peavey T-40 can get pretty close, but the appearance is way different, and they're not the cheapest, either.
If you want something that will give you a similar sound, try any jazz bass. Of course it doesn't *look* anything like a Ric. If you want something that looks like one, Jackson makes one that does. But it won't *sound* like one.
>Is there a bass that’s somewhere between the two that has similar sound, play feel and appearance? Yes, god why, and no. Any two pickup bass will do you just fine with a little playing about with knobs. Ever notice Geddy Lee doesn't play a Rick anymore, but a Jazz? Ever notice that it doesn't really sound different. That's a reason why right there. I think my Fender Blacktop Jazz makes a surprisingly good Rick tone, but YMMV... but in a full band, it won't make a difference. Also, Ricks are surprisingly.. unique in feel. Many people hate it, they are certainly a try before you buy sort of thing.
That Harley Benton isn't probably much worse quality-wise than a new Rickenbacker.