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

#23
A lot of the basses mentioned can get you close, but nothing but a Rick (or a good faker) will nail it. Even the legendary Peavey T-40 doesn't quite do it - a superb bass that excels at trebly grind but still doesn't nail it. And nor should it, it is a unique beast with it's own sound.
I have heard some soundclips of Ric5's customs and they do sound very convincing if memory serves me correctly.
As for the whole Rush confusion, most of that stems from the Moving Pictures album, and on that we're hearing the distortion and effects added afterwards more than the actual basses used. If you listen to Signals the Rick and the Jazz are easily identifiable. Same with Chris Squire - the songs he recorded with the Jazz sound very different.
 
#24
Nothing sounds like a Rickenbacker 4001/4003 that I know about. They sustain like no other, and have their own tone. It could be a combination of factors that are unique to the design. Of all the basses out there, the Ric is probably the one that sounds best with the highs all the way up.
 
#25
OldDirtyBassist said:
Nothing sounds like a Rickenbacker 4001/4003 that I know about. They sustain like no other, and have their own tone. It could be a combination of factors that are unique to the design. Of all the basses out there, the Ric is probably the one that sounds best with the highs all the way up.
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Fresh roundwounds, and a smiley EQ with a smidge more upper mids should get you close.And a heavy-handed technique for that wanky-clanky sound. But 'ole dirty has it about right.
 
#26
Ric5's SG basses sounded very convincing indeed, and the Magnum sounded pretty close, and has the best piano tone I've heard with the most massive sustain.

Either build one like Ric5, or get a Magnum or T-40, though either will only be found at a couple of hundred less than a used Rick if you are patient and look around a lot.
The Peavey and Ovation are probably better buys if the look isn't part of your criteria, since they're both more versatile.
However, both are well known to be far heavier than the average Rick!

Best bang for your buck: build one.
The pickups in the right positions will get you probably 80% of the tone.
 
#27
BluesHolyMan said:
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
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It's curious that you mention this song as (as some others have noted) it's not a Rickenbacker at all! In fact, the tone is very different from a Ric tone. Squire used a 5-string Tobias on that recording, and if you want to buy a MTD bass now, that will cost you more than a Ric!! But seriously, the tone on that song is very dark and deep, it's the antithesis of the normally bright and clanky sound of Squire's Ric. Maybe you don't want a Ric sound afterall?
 
#29
Something else to consider when comparing, do the other basses sound even better when you play them harder, like a 4001? The Ric only gets better as you tromp down on it.

An example of this would be RUSH Hemispheres..
 
#34
Ric5 said:
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
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I'm not specifically an SG fan, but that is too sexy for my shirt.
 
#37
Back to the topic at hand, ahem...

I just finished an install of Super 55s and D'Addario Chromes in my Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz and it is pretty close to the sound I am after: clear, punchy, but not boomy or overbearing.

Honestly, I have no idea if this is what a Ric' sounds like, but I like this sound, and I think its close to what I think I am hearing in my head.
 

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