Rickenbacker: One trick pony. Myth or Reality?
 

So, how versatile is a Ric?

you only have to look at the guys playing one to see they all play diffrent music and produce diffrent tones.
McCartney.
Lemmy.
Squires.
lord.
just to name 4

They're quite versatile, even more so if you have a modern 4003 with the pull pot. Since they have two pickups, you can use either one or blend, or output both separately to different amps. However, while they are versatile, they do have a unique sound that's not quite for everyone. Also, as versatile as a Ric is, a Ric generally has a very distinctive tone due to the pickups and same-polarity wiring.

To demonstrate their versatility, listen to Come Together by the Beatles, Roundabout by Yes, Behind the Lines by Genesis, and Give it to Me Baby by Rick James. Very different styles.

One trick pony? Nah, that's a myth! Like already stated, they have been recorded doing disco, (Bee Gee's), Funk (Rick James), Metal (Metallica & Motorhead), Rock and Roll (Deep Purple & The Beatles) and these examples are just to name a few.

Rickenbackers are not for everyone and need to be played before purchased. For me the transition from being a fender P Bass man to a Rickenbacker owner was the easiest and most effortless thing I've ever. How sold am I on the Rickenbacker 4001/2/3? Let's put it this way, I sold my P Bass and I don't regret it one bit.

True story.

Sepp

Is a piano a one-trick pony instrument? After all, they've been used in ALL kinds of different music over the years.

Guess what? They STILL sound like a piano.

Think Jazz Bass...

Rounds or Flats

It's great...

Just like a Jazz

Not a one trick pony,just a great bass guitar.

Anyone who claims them as one trick ponies don't know what they are talking about.

+1 to all above. One trick pony? Nonsense.

Pretty much any bass can be used for any genre music. That's why we have knobs on our amps to adjust EQ. People tend to forget that the bass isn't the only part of the equation.

I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever heard someone call a Ric a one trick pony.

I wish I could say the same.

Hand a "one trick pony" bass to a "one trick pony" bass player and is indeed a one trick pony bass.

Hand that same bass to a bass player with a few more tricks up his/her sleeve and things change dramatically.

As a Rick owner and player since 1973 I say Myth.

Amen...the "one trick pony" is the player... not the instrument. I have 4 4003's and have them all strung with different strings. I play in two different groups and sub in various other groups on a regular basis. I go from everything from small group jazz, blues, country and rock. Not a myth... just total BS!

Rics are for Ric-o-philes......ONLY!
I traded my last one in 1980. They are pretty though.....

Ah here we go. Another informative thread down the crapper. It actually lasted longer than i thought it would.

I'm going to start trolling the Fender threads and throw some crap.

Sepp

Well, to revive the usefulness of this thread, do any of the Ric-o-philes use the deluxe version of this bevel when the pickup cover is removed? I'd be curious to know how it feels.

http://www.tubeampology.com/2501.html

Absolute MYTH!!

Boris,

Being a Ric-o-phile myself, I do use the deluxe version of the bezel in several of my Rickenbackers. The ridge feels like a nice firm slip resistant ledge to anchor my thumb to, if anchoring your thumb is what you are into. Its location is a bit further north of where a b string would be located but I find it quite comfortable.

Sepp