Feature:
The Ric comes with a hardshell case (great if you, like myself, cannot afford to shell out another $100 for a case) that is of incredibly good quality. I love the switch joystick (like they have on Gibson guitars) that switches between bridge, neck, and both pickups. It is conveniently placed and effortless to use, so you can switch the sound completely in a split second and keep on playing. Also, the stereo output isn't particularly useful, per se, but it is incredibly cool. It's so cool when the pickups sound like they are on opposite ends of the room! The bridge is beautiful, but slightly outdated, though I happen to personally like the string mutes that are built into it. Neck-through construction is lovely, ergonomic, and gives sustain like no other. The adjustable pickups are very easy to use and they make a world of difference in the sound depending on their height and slant. The only truly useless thing is the bridge pickup cover. It looks really cool, but it gets in the way of playing and should definitely be removed.

Quality:
No blemishes, scratches, paint or part defects, or anything. It was perfect and beautiful when I bought it. I've heard people complain about poor truss rod setup and horribly warped necks, but every single Ric I've ever played in a store (including the one that I bought) has not had a single one of these problems. The bass is very reliable, though it is almost too beautiful, and sometimes I feel as though I shouldn't play it too hard or I might damage the finish, even though the bass is incredibly durable. It's just me being OC. But as for actual playability, you can play it as hard as you want for hours and nothing will break or go wrong.

Value:
It is an absolute steal for the amount that it usually sells for. Basses that are only slightly better cost hundreds more.

Desirability:
Though it was a practical addition to my music-making setup, I seriously had dreams and fantasies about this bass. It haunted me. It was pretty much the epitome of everything I wanted and desired in a bass guitar. I wanted one before I'd even ever played it, and even if it had been the most difficult and worst quality bass ever, I still might have bought it. I've gotten comments from tons of people just from the sheer presence of it. It's scary.

Sound:
Incredibly punchy and growly at the same time. Mid range is incredible. It plays a hundred different variations of the signature Ric sound, from soft and bass-y to very sharp and crisp. The only problem is that these are all variations of the same basic sound, so if you want something incredibly versatile this isn't it. But if you even remotely like the Ric sound at all, this bass is perfect! Even through my old cheap Squire amp it sounded great, and through my brand new Fender Bassman amp is sounds positively heavenly.

Support:
I haven't had to deal with anyone except the people at the store I bought it from, all of whom were friendly and helped me with everything I had questions about.

Overall:
I will always be satisfied with this guitar. It is, simply put, perfect. Though I will be buying other basses in the future to expand the sound variety, they will never replace the Ric. If it were lost or stolen I would immediately look for a new one. It sounds great, it looks great, it feels great: it is great.

Feature:
Still a wonderfully made bass and a classic design, it was very innovative for its day; I am willing to bet that when it was introduced it was the only bass with a through neck and dual trussrods.

Quality:
Like I said, very well made. Mine was made in 1974, it seen more gigs than I can remember, it went from the US, to Japan, and Korea, I had with me aboard ship. I had to take it to a luthier a few times, but never any major problems.

Value:
Largely handmade in the USA at less than two grand, go price a Fodera or a Sadowski and see if you can pick one of those up for less than $2000.

Desirability:
Like I said, I have owned mine since 1980.

Sound:
Ricks have a sound all their own, I have owned my 4001 since 1980 and I am always amazed at how great it sounds. Even in these days of active electronics and onboard pre-amps I can honestly say that my old passive Ricks sounds as good, or better than modern basses with all kinds of gadgets onboard.

Ease of Use:
Sounds fantastic and it plays like a dream, this is one bass that darn near does play itself!

Support:
Never really needed it. If the other poster was discouraged because the company would give him a truss rod wrench, I know why, when I enquired about a truss rod wrench the folks at Rickenbacker told me in no uncertain terms not to try to adjust the neck myself but to take take the bass to reputable luthier; they were right!

Overall:
I have been satisfied with mine for 28 years!

Feature:
The whole thing was so confortable. It also looks awesome with the binding and the fret markers. The only part I do not like is the scale. It is slightly short. It doesn't bother me much though. I really like the neck-through body design.

Quality:
The best to my opinion. The only thing I would like is a Mahogany finish like on the 4001's.

Value:
This is worth the buy. Get it if you like playing bass.

Desirability:
It looks so cool! It has binding, the fret markers, a good finish, and an cool looking head.

Sound:
This bass has a unique sound to it. It has more treble sound like all the old Rickenbacker 4001's. I don't own this bass. I have used it. I own a 1964 4001. This bass also has a switch on one of the knobs to change back to a balanced bass and treble sound. Great for all styles.

Ease of Use:
Very good sound comes from this. The vintage to balanced sound switch on the knob makes it easier to switch styles and sounds. The neck-through body design makes this great.

Support:
Never had problems in the first place. Nor with my 4001!

Overall:
ITS SO AWESOME!!!

Feature:
Love the stereo output, the neck-through body design gives you insane sustain. Neck is so smooth and buttery. Only the most high class materials and the absolute sexiest finish on any instrument as far as I'm concerned.

Quality:
Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, this is the best bass that money can buy. It's just so fun to play and so great to own one. Sometimes I can't help but to just stare at it and admire it. Visually flawless, tonally immaculate. I wish I had 10 of these things.

Value:
$1350 was what I paid...a little steep, but well worth it.

Desirability:
I had an insatiable lust for this bass long before I could even afford it. Everything about it just feels right, the style, the weight, the color. Once I got this thing I stopped playing everything else and ignored all my other instruments for like 6 months.

Sound:
This is the best sounding bass I've ever laid hands on. It's so exquisitely versatile, and you can tailor it to accomodate literally any style. Really shines on the treble, a clear punch that colors your sound very well and breaks through into the foreground.

Ease of Use:
This bass will make you a better bassist simply by virtue of your owning it.

Support:
Very helpful, when I first got mine I couldn't get the stereo output to work right so that I could play through two amps at the same time and they instructed me. Very easy to deal with. Never needed any serious work done, but the warranty covers damn near everything except human stupidity.

Overall:
I love it. It's just perfect. If you're considering buying it, just do it, whether you can afford it or not. There's just no comparison to any other bass on the market. The versatility of it, the aesthetics of it, the brilliant tone, and just the fun level of it alone justify the price of ownership. This is my baby. If anything ever happened to it, I'd be devastated and replace it immediately.