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How Versatile are Rick's?

thisSNsucks

thisSNsucks

I build Grosbeak Guitars and Basses
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Dec 19, 2004
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#1
In today's installment of TB's Daily Rickenbacker Thread...

So I had the opportunity to play an old (and not fully functioning) 4001 a while back and I loved the look and feel.

Now the one I tried seemed to have some wiring issues so I wasnt able to go though all the available tones.

I've been looking at some video's on Youtube and most guys seem to get a grindy/trebley/overdriven rock tone out of theirs. I guess thats the classic Rick rock tone but what else can they do?

Can you pull off a rounder, smooth tone with a rick? I see the new 4003's have that little bypass feature which seems like it could add to the versatility.

If you have vids or sound clips that would be awesome too. Thanks!
 
#7
Depends on who you ask. If you ask someone who likes Ricks they're very versatile. If you ask someone who doesn't they're not. In between they're about average as far as versatility is concerned; they do some things better than others. Sorry for the general answer, but the question is pretty general as well. Ricks can get a smoother tone depending on how you tweak them, what strings you use, and your personal technique (as well as your expectations as to what a rounder, smoother sound actually is). Your best bet is to find one (that works) somewhere and try it out.
 
#8
Let's compare a Rick to the gold standard of versatility, the Fender Jazz:

Ric
2 Pickups(middle and neck)
Vol for middle and neck
Individual Tone for middle and neck
Mono & Stereo out

Jazz
2 Pickups(bridge and middle)
Vol for bridge and middle
Tone for both
Mono out

I'd say at least as many different tones as can be gotten from a Jazz can be had with a Ric. Not the same ones but there's plenty between clang and thud.
 
#12
I was surprised how many different tones I could get out of my Ric when I got it recently. I hadnt tried it before I bought it, and never played one in person. To be honest, I am having more trouble getting the "traditional Ric sound" (i.e Squire/Geddy) than I am all the others.
 
#14
I've never played a Ric but I want one desperately.
From what I've been able to tell, they're very versatile, but they have a really distinct sound. I've seen them used widely, but you can almost always tell it's a Ric.
 
#16
bimplizkit said:
When I think of the vastly different sounds achieved by Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, and Geddy Lee - I'd say pretty versatile.
Click to expand...


Maybe not a great example but several local hardcore screamo bands in the early 90's had rick's. And GK400 heads. mids scooped highs boosted.---->>> icepicks flying directly from their emotionally angst ridden fingers straight to my ear drums and associated boney hearing apparatus. probably why i cant hear 16k or above very well.
 
#20
Back in the 70's I could never get anything but the growling clank Rics are known for. That was with volumes full up and a crappy Peavey amp. Now I've learned. De-cap the bridge pickup, set the volumes at about half, use Ampegs. Now I can get anything from the clank to mellow thud.
 

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