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Ric for soul/funk/jazz???

vin*tone

vin*tone

Oct 19, 2008
4,685
1,024
Ballaarat, Ostraya
#1
Just wondering....
PLaying my 4001 with flats through the B15 can give me a really convincing Jamerson/motown tone. Particularly as you can dial the mutes in juuuuuust right. But it seems like Rics only get used in rock/pop type scenarios.

Anyone funk out on their Rics?
Any prominent bassists use Rics in funk/soul or jazz? I can't think of any.

:confused:
 
#3
rick_james.jpg
 
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#4
Yep, Rick James is the classic example. He could funk that Ric like nobody's business! I'm not sure of any other prominent users, but Rics sound totally funky to me as long as they aren't played in a non-funk style with non-funk amp tone choices, which is the only "issue" since a lot of famous Ric players go for that grindy trebley pick attack sound, but that's just one of the possible voices.
 
#5
Haha Rick James...
The 4001 with flats giving a Jamerson vibe doesn't surprise me. Paul McCartney wanted a fat bass sound like on the American motown records when he used the Ric on Sgt Peppers. According to Geoff Emerick, he didn't know who the bassist on the albums was, but he really wanted that deep US-label sound that British studios couldn't get in the early '60s.
 
#6
vin*tone said:
Just wondering....
PLaying my 4001 with flats through the B15 can give me a really convincing Jamerson/motown tone. Particularly as you can dial the mutes in juuuuuust right. But it seems like Rics only get used in rock/pop type scenarios.

Anyone funk out on their Rics?
Any prominent bassists use Rics in funk/soul or jazz? I can't think of any.

:confused:
Click to expand...

Cordell "Boogie" Mosson of P-Funk fame played Rickenbacker 4002, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff distortion, Morley Wah Fuzz, Ampeg head, two 2x15 cabinets. As per Cordell..“The band didn’t want me to play a Rickenbacker because they said it was a rock bass with a thin sound, but I did anyway. Later, Rick James started playing Rickenbacker because he saw me with one.” Don't forget EQing IS allowed but remember it is a RIC

:hiding:
 
#7
Ricks work just fine. Check out Chris Squire on Lucky Seven. That song is not funk, but he sure gets funky. More to the point, I remember when I was in college, and the baddest slapper on campus, a fellow named Danny Freeman, played a Rickenbacker 4001.
 
#8
There is an English folk-rock band called Steeleye Span that was big in the '70s (they still are big Downunder). Their bassist used a Rick with flats. Great tone, and lots of slam.

It worked so well that, for years, Steeleye Span didn't bother with a drummer. They finally hired one when they were going to come to the US for the first time. They figured they needed a drummer to play big, American venues like stadiums.

Put flats on that Rick! :hyper:

Actually, put 'em on everything. I'm tired of hearing basses sounding like Strats. ;)
 
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#9
I would also like to give it a try,but am concerned about the tension some flats have.
Don't want to mess up the neck,at present am using GHS 105/45 boomers(M3045 rounds) on a 76 Rick.Have tried TI's on a jazz and chromes on a preci both to be recomended,also have GHS 3050 flats 55,70,90,105 on a preci but I'm sure they would just
about finish the Rick. So any suggestions for sutible flats for a Rick.
Thanks
Woffle
 
#10
Marlowe from MarloweDKplaysbass on youtube has some of the funkiest grooves I`ve ever heard on any bass, let alone his Ric.

He`s a definite subscribe for any bassist who`s either learning or who just wants some friendly motivation every once in a while;)

Check it:



:smug:
 
#13
woffle said:
I would also like to give it a try,but am concerned about the tension some flats have.
Don't want to mess up the neck,at present am using GHS 105/45 boomers(M3045 rounds) on a 76 Rick.Have tried TI's on a jazz and chromes on a preci both to be recomended,also have GHS 3050 flats 55,70,90,105 on a preci but I'm sure they would just
about finish the Rick. So any suggestions for sutible flats for a Rick.
Thanks
Woffle
Click to expand...

If the neck on your '76 is ok now, there shouldn't be any problem using whatever strings you wish. Roto 77 Jazz Flats were always my choice for flats on my '77 4001. If that neck wouldn't handle a higher tension string, you'd have found out back in the 80's. Besides, it was the regular round wound Roto's that hurt those old necks, back in the day. Go for it.
 
#15
woffle said:
Thanks,DA Chromes,I like them also on a Fender 40/100
but on a Rick? Do you have a low action and hows the neck relief? Maybe I'm just too cautious:eyebrow:
Woffle
Click to expand...

The 4003 neck is plenty strong for most strings, the 4001 is the one with the thinner neck where you have to be careful with high tension strings.

I played flats on my 4001 for a while years ago and it had a nice whack to it.

The rick makes a fine bass for slap tho it won't give the heavy thump you might prefer from something like a music man (i.e. Louis Johnson, etc).

For fingerstyle funk i.e. Rocco Prestia style, er.... I'd suggest something else.

If I could play with a pick, tho, I'd sell everything I have and go get a 4003 FL......

LS
 
#16
Thanks guys,I'm gonna go for the TI's as they seem to be the most friendlest,less tension etc and I know they sound great(have them on a jazz with DiMarzio DP 149 Ultra's).I feel a lot happier with the choice now having read your coments,once again
many thanks all.
Woffle
 
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#20
vespasian1 said:
There is an English folk-rock band called Steeleye Span that was big in the '70s (they still are big Downunder). Their bassist used a Rick with flats. Great tone, and lots of slam
Click to expand...
Big fan of their's, here.

I've only seen them once, sadly, in 1972.

I've done lots of jazz, jazz fusion, latin-tinged jazz, world beat-jazz, etc. for many years with my Ricks.
 

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