Jazz bass and Ric

[mcblahflooper94]

I'm not asking what the "better bass" is, I'm just wondering thoughts on the differences and similarities between the two, as far as tone and feel. Did a search. Thanks (:

[Ric5]

I own 2 Ricks, and 2 jazz basses ... both are classic designs.

[dbd1963]

The main difference, to me, is the width at the nut. Rickenbackers are 1.65" or so where a Jass is 1.5".

After that, there are tonal differences that are harder to describe than experience. I love the sound of both of them.

[WayneKerrins]

I have a Ric 4003 and a Jazz V American deluxe.
Ric looks great, has superb sustain and has a unique twangy sound. The E string low notes don't have the depth and thump of most other basses.
The Jazz can produce great booming lows but can be tweaked to play pretty much everything. I used the Jazz on 80 per cent of the songs in our covers set Neil young to arcade fire.

[superdick2112]

I like 'em both. They make great bookends for my Gibson ES-355.

[cfsporn]

Listen to Tom Sawyer and then listen to Red Barchetta. Keep in mind, that both were done by the same bassist, using the same rig, and were probably processed extensively to Mr. Lee's liking, but they still sound different. To me, the Rick has a slightly dryer sound with a bit more midrange at the very slight expense of low end thump, while the Jazz has a slightly scooped midrange with more lows and highs.

As always, this is IMHO and YMMV.

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by cfsporn

Listen to Tom Sawyer and then listen to Red Barchetta. Keep in mind, that both were done by the same bassist, using the same rig, and were probably processed extensively to Mr. Lee's liking, but they still sound different. To me, the Rick has a slightly dryer sound with a bit more midrange at the very slight expense of low end thump, while the Jazz has a slightly scooped midrange with more lows and highs.

As always, this is IMHO and YMMV.

Good assessment of the sonic differences. I'd also add that in my experience, proper setup on a Ric is extremely important, while a Jazz bass seems much more forgiving when it comes to string gauge, action, pickup height, etc.
My Jazz sounds good with pretty much any brand/gauge of roundwound string, but my Ric only sounds like a "proper" Ric (to me) when its strung with D'Addario ProSteels, .40 - 1.00 gauge, and pickup height is critical - there is an extremely narrow sweet spot.

[cfsporn]

Originally Posted by superdick2112

Good assessment of the sonic differences. I'd also add that in my experience, proper setup on a Ric is extremely important, while a Jazz bass seems much more forgiving when it comes to string gauge, action, pickup height, etc.
My Jazz sounds good with pretty much any brand/gauge of roundwound string, but my Ric only sounds like a "proper" Ric (to me) when its strung with D'Addario ProSteels, .40 - 1.00 gauge, and pickup height is critical - there is an extremely narrow sweet spot.

Thanks!

Figures that the Rick would be MUCH harder to set up... Good thing mine is a fretless, or else I would have to go through the hell that is adjusting intonation on a stock Rick bridge.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by superdick2112

I like 'em both. They make great bookends for my Gibson ES-355.

Is that the Lifeson sig 335? Or, what model is it?

Very nice.

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by cfsporn

Thanks!

Figures that the Rick would be MUCH harder to set up... Good thing mine is a fretless, or else I would have to go through the hell that is adjusting intonation on a stock Rick bridge.

That's why I installed the Hipshot Ric bridge on mine - way easier to set.

[jaywa]

It has always seemed to like the Jazz Bass responds better to fingerstyle playing than a Rick does. Rick's kinda "flab out" unless they are played with a pick. (Cue flames from Cliff Burton fans in 3...2...1)... Whereas you can dial up about as much attack as you want out of a J-Bass whether fingerstyle or picked.

I'm also not sure I've ever seen slap-and-pop played on a Rick.

My .02.

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Is that the Lifeson sig 335? Or, what model is it?

Very nice.

Thanks! Yes, that is the Alex Lifeson Sig. Model. Great sounding axe, but just like Mr. Lifeson's, the Maestro trem, while beautiful, is practically useless.

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by jaywa

It has always seemed to like the Jazz Bass responds better to fingerstyle playing than a Rick does. Rick's kinda "flab out" unless they are played with a pick. (Cue flames from Cliff Burton fans in 3...2...1)... Whereas you can dial up about as much attack as you want out of a J-Bass whether fingerstyle or picked.

I'm also not sure I've ever seen slap-and-pop played on a Rick.

My .02.

These guys might disagree...

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc....1.l_hey6k4h7Q

It's all in the setup. I play fingerstyle about 98% of the time, and my Ric has all of the treble attack & versatility of my Jazz, and absolutely zero of the "flab-out" factor.

[mcblahflooper94]

Just played a Ric and a Jazz at a guitar shop. I'm in love with the Ric, it's so easy to play, it sounds so unique and specific, and has an amazing feel. I played a Ric before, but it was one with an especially chunky-to the point of crippling- neck that I couldn't get over. It also didn't sound like a Ric to me, but the Ric I played today was amazing.

The Jazz sounded very dry to me. Not as easy to play, and not as unique. I'm starting to think I'm gunna start saving up some money…

[phillybass101]

I'm old (57) when I was growing up the holy grail was to own one of each. Two very different basses and tones IMO. Couldn't play roundabout without a Ric. By the way I had a friend who had a vey nice Ric, and yes you can slap a Ric and they sound good when slapped.

[Fair Warning]

My 4003 RIC can get amazing clarity in the lows, for being a 33 1/3 scale. I currently have it strung BEAD and had great success for getting smooth sound out of it when desired. Of course you can always get that twang with a little technique. Also, the electronics in the 4003 are able to give smoother sound than the 4001.

On the other hand, I can always get great smooth bass sound out of the J bass or Jaguar. For smooth lows, those (RIC and J) are actually my 2 top basses. take your pick.

[RhynoRock]

If anyone could consider a standard being set for bass sound, the Jazz bass did just that, in my opinion.

The Ric...sounds like a Ric. It has an iconic, identifiable sound.

The jazz can sound like almost anything else. Not to mention how customizable the jazz bass is, thanks to the massive aftermarket of parts.

[Kopfjaeger]

Superdick2112,

Nice placement of the Gibson between the Rickenbacker and the Fender. You do know the Ric and Fender will duke it out the second you leave the room, if there stored next to one another!!

OK, Jazz necks are narrower at the nut than the Ric but the Ric neck remains fairly consistent the length of the neck (much more gradual widening) while the Jazz really gets wide the closer you get to the body. Also the newer 4003's have a shallow D profile while the Fender Jazz has more of a C shaped profile.

I own 8 Rickenbacker basses spanning from 1973 to 2012. From 4001's to a v63, a 4004, several 4003's, and two 4002's. All the necks are a bit different in width and profile. The all have their unique sound and feel.

Sepp

[woodyng]

The way my basses are set up,when i want a smooth sound i go for either of my 4004 Ricks,when i want ultimate clank,i play my Bead jazz parts bass...funny it just worked put that way....my frankenjazz is particularly clanky sounding,and my other Ric,a 4000,can go either way...i still consider both the jazz and the Ric to be a great foundation for any bass player.

[lowendblues]

A jazz can sound reeaally close, but nothing sounds like a rick. Its like a slap in the face.