Reasonable alternatives for a Rickenbacker

[darkhorse9]

I am at a place in my life where a $1400 to $3500 bass is just not in the budget. My life is still at the $400 and below limit.

Are there any basses out there that would give a reasonable similarity of sound to a Rickenbacker? My goal is to try and capture that late Beatles sound. The Hofner won't cut it and the budget won't allow the best alternative.

Any advice? (besides get a second job)

 

[Jazz Ad]

Danelectro, obviously. It's sort of half way between a Hofner and a Rick.

 

[Turock]

I think that my Dano 63 sounds a lot like the Rick that some ba$t@rd stole from me.

 

[megadan]

Peavey T-40 is the obvious answer at that price point.

 

[Dan B]

T-40 is obvious.

The Danelectro Longhorn also give a Rick-ish vibe. I found it similar to a Rick but with more "tubbiness."

Or maybe the Ovation Magnum?

 

[savit260]

A T-40 Peavey, or an early (first version with 2 single coils) maple bodied G&L SB-2 can do a reasonable Ric impression as well.

 

[ExurKun]

wow im extremely surprised no ones said: "nothing can come close" yet haha

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

T-40 will do it. Even though my 1st good bass was a Ric (a new 1969 model) I have never understood why they are so much more expensive than other basses of similar quality. I also don't understand why they are so hard to find & why parts are not available easily. They don't advertise much....what's up wid dem?

 

[Thunder Pulse]

Well, he's going for a Beatles sound, not Chris Squire or Geddy Lee. Specifically, he said a "late" Beatles sound. I don't know what that means exactly, but whenever I've seen Paul playing a Ric on Youtube it's been a pretty mellow sound.

 

[Basstovsky]

My T-40 with both pups in single coil mode did a really good 'dear prudence' sound, its the closest ric sound I've got from a number of basses I've tried, excluding the geddy tone which is easier to get I have found.

 

[jasper383]

For the late Beatles sound? That's not really to my ears an especially characteristic Ric sound. I'd go Jazz Bass with old flats or tapewounds. That's what Macca played on Band on the Run a few years later anyway, right?

My '51 Reissue Precision, with steel roundwounds or flats, sound a lot like a Ric. Single coils, hand position, eq at the amp.

 

[IvanMike]

Practice.

 

[EagleMoon]

I had a maple-bodied Peavey Foundation that sounded a LOT like a Ric. I was amazed at the tones I could get out of it. It was just heavy or I would have kept it.

 

[Baird6869]

+1 for an older Peavey T-40.

I own both and the T-40 can get pretty close to a RIC tone.

 

[Axtman]

Peavey T-40

 

[MNAirHead]

Rick tone.. Peavey Patriot... (if you're on a budget)

 

[MNAirHead]

Warning .. a patriot will need to be setup.. most are dorked with by kids.

 

[EagleMoon]

Warning .. a patriot will need to be setup.. most are dorked with by kids.

I think you really need to work with most of the older Peaveys to get them back into shape. I agree that most of them have probably been left in closets, under beds, out in the garage..etc. until their owner decided to throw it up on Craigslist or Ebay.

 

[experimental bassist]

For the late Beatles sound? That's not really to my ears an especially characteristic Ric sound. I'd go Jazz Bass with old flats or tapewounds.

+1

 

[Floyd Eye]

Any single coil, active bass with a SansAmp will get you as close as you can get, but in reality, no, nothing sounds like a Ric except a Ric.