• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Getting a Ric sound...without the Ric $$

B

BluesHolyMan

Sep 28, 2013
31
15
#1
Let the blasphemy begin...

Is it possible to get close to a Rickenbacker sound without an actual Rickenbacker?

I am new to bass, have a recently acquired Fender Squire Vintage Modified Jazz Bass 70s, but love what I think is the Rickenbacker sound (can't afford that maple goodness yet.) Here are two examples of the sound I think I want:

Yes - Rhythm of Love, from Big Generator Album

Joe Jackson - Caravan, from the Duke Album

I would describe the sound as tight and focused, which to me implies some form of compression to the natural sound of the bass. I know Chris Squire used a Ric, not sure whats on Caravan.

I guess the question is, would there be a specific set of strings, such as Stainless that would do this sound or close to it on a Squire Jazz bass, and what processing might be needed? I know whatever strings squire used on his Ric will get the sound, but I am asking specifically how to get close on this Jazz bass...

Upgrading pickups is probably a given for additional clarity...

< end blasphemy>
 
#4
Depends on which part of the sound you're after, but a jazz should get you close (I think that might be jazz on the Caravan song)... I would start trying different strings first, and different playing techniques (a good setup is also important). That's where most of the sound is, imo (and it's the cheapest starting point). Then, I'd try tone shaping (preamp/EQ), to nail it further... compression and different pickups (or different locations) are, imo, optional.
 
#5
You could do what Dave Meros did and add two pickups in the Ric positions (24th and 36th). That way you'd have both the Jazz and Ric sounds available.

Dave%20Meros_12.jpg


 
#8
My G & L 2000 bass has a fairly Ric-ish tone if I crank the treble and play on the bridge pickup only with brand-new roundwound strings. The true Squire sound is pretty elusive, a combination of his amp setup, old single-coil pickups, technique,etc. His old bass has 60's horse-shoe bridge pickup, toaster front, and was shaved down repeatedly to remove ill-considered paint and wallpaper application. It's funny, Ric put out the Squire Edition bass, supposedly a faithful and carefully researched copy of his original, which Squire then openly described as sounding "nothing like" his bass. People still pay a fortune for them, of course. As you can see on the video, Rhythm of Love was played with a custom 5-string, looks like a Pedulla in the first one, maybe a Ken Smith in the second? A lot of the old Yes stuff was played on his jazz bass, still sounds like Squire, so go figure. He describes his technique on an old "Hot Licks" instructional video you may be able to find on Youtube, wherein he claims to be hitting a false harmonic on every note by choking down on the pick. I can't hear it personally, but that's his story, and he sticks to it.
 
Last edited:
#12
I have a '76 Ibanez 2388b that "looks and feels" like a Ric. I put a real Ric harness and pups in her and she sounds great. However; I have been told by Ric owners that the through neck and woods used on the real ones make all the difference. I guess they are correct, but I got the look and vintage sound for $500, not 2K.
 
#13
Here's a Fenderbird with pickups in the Ric positions. Rics have a distinctive Hi-mid bark due to the maple, Bubinga construction and the single coil pickup locations. Maple fretboard sounds like bubinga. But this bass here has an alder body. So I put in a 4 band Audere so I can boost the hi-mids to get the Ric tone.

5s%20014.jpg
 
#14
Here I have an Epi SG body, it is made of plywood. Plywood is similar in tone to maple believe it or not. I wired it according Ric 4003 schematics. I used a Ric neck pickup. Anyway when it was set up like this it had a good Ric tone.

5sb%20046.jpg
 
#16
Funny - For many years, before the interwebs, folks that that Geddy Lee only played Ricks - then it came out that he'd been playing a J bass on a ton of their most famous tunes, sounding good 'n "Rick-Like" all the while.
The lesson here is that a huge amount of tone is in how you play the instrument.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Winfred and hdracer

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back