Playing Country on a Rickenbacker?

[Rockin Mike]

I kinda want to get a sunburst American Deluxe Jazz V and swap the neck pickup out for a P. I think that would be an awesome country bass. Until then I will use my awesome rock bass and raise a few eyebrows.

At least it doesn't have a whammy bar and glow-in-the-dark strings like one of my other basses

 

[kcole4001]

I've seen pics of Sawyer Brown bassist using a JG 4001/3, and of course the famous case of Jim Reeves' band using all Rick instruments.
There's no denying that's country right there.

Of course if we start dispelling the 'one trick pony' myth it could signal the beginning of the apocalypse or something.

 

[Batmensch]

I don't personally recall ever seeing that, but, with the right stringsand/or amp settings, there is no technical reason you couldn't. As far as people's acceptance, the only ones that will react negatively regardless of how well you play said Ric in a country setting are gear snobs, and why would you care what they think?

 

[fuzzy beard]

Whiskey meyers is southrn rock/country. There bassist does.

 

[jasper383]

Just trying to dodge peoples' prejudices. I have maple Ibanez that *looks* more country, but the ric is well, a Ric.



True.

There is a massive bias here against basses with more than four strings. I make sure to bring the Stingray 5 into situations like this.

Now, if my career depended on bringing an old P Bass, I would bring one.

 

[Duke21]

Actually, Yes took all the quotes in "No Experience Needed" from the 1958 movie "The Big Country", great movie. great score.



You can play anything on a Rick but if I was seriously doing country it would be on a P-bass, either a 4 or 5 string.

And they did great job!!

 

[Tx Basser]

Yes, you can play country on a Ric. Here in the Dallas/Fart Worth area (aka DFW) there are a few guys who play country on a Ric. Trust me, we have more country bands in this area than swamps have mosquitoes.

Personally, I think a lot of the "country" sound has to do with how you are playing the songs and how you set your tone on your amp.

 

[ToadWarrior]

I've done it... Not sure I'd do it again.

 

[Engine207]

I researched the answer a little and found this in a Ric owner's manual...

I wouldn't do it. I like my Ric too much.

 

[mellowinman]

I'm not sure I understand any of this. Isn't a Rickenbacker a two pickup bass? With tone controls right there on it? I haven't had one for a long time, but that's how I remember it. I could've sworn it was a seriously versatile bass that you could play anything on. What has happened to my memory? I might go see a doctor. Maybe a nurse. Yes, I think I'll see a nurse.

 

[woodyng]

Throw some flatwounds on there,select the neck pickup,roll off the tone control,and plunk away on it! Big,fat,thumpy goodness......

 

[shwashwa]

i think it would sound just fine, but i think people might want to see a fender in that situation. depends on the guys. ive been the victim of rick discrimination in the past

 

[Duke21]

A modern 4003 can cope with almost everything a Jazz can do and then some more.

 

[Rockin Mike]

i think it would sound just fine, but i think people might want to see a fender in that situation. depends on the guys. ive been the victim of rick discrimination in the past

That's really what I was getting at; I know Fender P is the "Uber-bass" of country, but how much specifically anti-Ric sentiment is there?

 

[254 stringer]

The guy from the band Perry was playing a rick in a video wether he uses live or to record I don't know.

 

[DwaynieAD]

saw a dude playing a alvarez 5 thru a peavy tube head and a fender 410 cab. phenomenal tone.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Keith Urban- Sweet Thing. The guy in the video is playing a Ric; of course, who knows if it's the bass on the track. Sure sounds like something other than a Jazz or P..

 

[rockinrayduke]

Yes, you can play country on a Ric. Here in the Dallas/Fart Worth area (aka DFW) there are a few guys who play country on a Ric. Trust me, we have more country bands in this area than swamps have mosquitoes.

Personally, I think a lot of the "country" sound has to do with how you are playing the songs and how you set your tone on your amp.

I agree with your last point. I would also think it depends on what kind of "country" we're talking about? Traditional, red dirt, pop, etc? A 4003 can take care of any of that.

Also agreed about country bands in DFW, lord have mercy.

 

[blueflamerick]

Yes.

Here's a song recorded using a fretless 4001:

https://soundcloud.com/erik-kutzler/one-good-day

 

[jj4001]

Throw some flatwounds on there,select the neck pickup,roll off the tone control,and plunk away on it! Big,fat,thumpy goodness......

So true. Seems to me many people underestimate the power of the Ricky neck pickup.