what amps give the best RIC tone?

Presto2112 · #1 06-25-2011, 10:49 PM

I just got my first rickenbacker 4003 what are the best amps to use my gallien kreuger just is too boomy. I have a $700-$1200 price range HELP

SactoBass · #2 06-25-2011, 11:00 PM

Presto: I have been playing Ric basses since the mid 70's. In my experience, I have found that Ric basses sound best when played through all-tube amps. I currently have a US made Ampeg SVT-VR, and it drives a pair of LDS nEarful 15/6 cabs (pic below). My Ric 4003 sounds magnificent through that rig......best tone I have ever heard.

I paid $1500 for the SVT-VR, so that amp may be a bit too expensive for your budget. The good news is, you can find plenty of second hand all-tube amps within your stated budget. (I found the SVT-VR in the TB classifieds).

JimmyM · #3 06-25-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presto2112

I just got my first rickenbacker 4003 what are the best amps to use my gallien kreuger just is too boomy. I have a $700-$1200 price range HELP

I like the new Ampeg solid state heads a lot, but why not just try rolling off some lows from your head first? That's free.

AwkwardLoudness · #4 06-25-2011, 11:22 PM

A RIC that sounds too boomy

I hadn't yet encountered such a thing.

Try a vintage pre-1980 SVT through a Bergantino NV610. That'll tighten up your tone (use EQ appropriately of course) with glorious results. Sell a non-vital organ to increase the budget a bit.

Also, try adjusting the pickup height on the RIC.

RickenBoogie · #5 06-26-2011, 07:39 AM

I gotta say, I've been playing Rickenbacker basses for many many years, through all sorts of different amps and cabs, and they ALWAYS sound like Rickenbackers. You may have to futz with the eq a little, but aside from little differences in tone, the sound of the bass will always come through. Play with what you have now a bit more before abandoning all hope.

mmbongo · #6 06-26-2011, 07:43 AM

Nice username!

And I prefer GK amps

synaesthesia · #7 06-26-2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presto2112

I just got my first rickenbacker 4003 what are the best amps to use my gallien kreuger just is too boomy. I have a $700-$1200 price range HELP

Depends on what is a Rick tone for you. Macca '66, Squire '71-2, Foxton '78-9, Lemmy....etc etc

marlond · #8 06-26-2011, 08:39 AM

I have been pairing up with my Ric with an Aguilar DB750 to great effect. I always get complements on my tone. You may be able to squeeze a used Aguilar for just under $1200 if you look hard. And it would be worth it IMO. The sound I get would cover aggressive power pop to rock and probably old thrash.

I have had an engineer/mixer say that after recording my rig (Ric, Aguilar, Ampeg 810E) with a mic, he has tried many times to mic up a bass amp again. It sounded so good for me that he has tried to get the same results for others but mine has always sounded the biggest and the best.

Ric5 · #9 06-26-2011, 08:48 AM

audiomitch · #10 06-26-2011, 08:50 AM

Which GK are you using? What are your settings? Do you have the Contour knob all the way off?

Problemchild · #11 06-26-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Presto2112

I just got my first rickenbacker 4003 what are the best amps to use my gallien kreuger just is too boomy. I have a $700-$1200 price range HELP

Try thinner gauge strings

I<34080 · #12 06-26-2011, 10:01 AM

Happy Face · #13 06-26-2011, 11:39 AM

I found the best Rick tones came out of a Trace Elliot 350SMX head (the X means there is a preamp tube). Real glassy with authority. Since the heads are a little heavy, they come cheap now.

But each to their own.

audiomitch · #14 06-26-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I<34080

I actually used to own that head. We called it the "flower pot head". It had a massive amount of lights, which was very cool in the dark. As I recall, it sounded pretty bad back then, but then again I was using some home made cab with Radio Shack speakers. I'd love to have that head back now!