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Ric vs. Jazz
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
For me I always found the Jazz bass to sit better in a mix as it has a little more mids to the sound and for me I like that. That is exactly why I changed my 4003 pickups to HB1’s and now I get more of the mids that I want.
I think the fact that Jazz pickups hum cancel when played together had the effect of boosting mids too.
Interesting conclusion. My experience of the Jazz Bass, without watching that particular video, is that both pickups dimed generally produces the classic comb-filtered mid-scoop popular for slapping.
I think both pickups does give you the mid scoop, but I think it still is a bit punchier in the mids than a Ric with both pickups dimed.
Both are very nice. But the Jazz Bass would be my choice. I would have like to have heard a comparison with a 70’s Jazz Bass .
I better take a Dramamine. Good comparison, but my motion sickness just kicked in. Blyyyaaatt.
I would have liked the Jazz to have the bridge pickup dimed and the neck pickup at 25% or so. To me, that's the Jazz sound.
70s Jazz Bass all the way over a Ric any day!!!
Y’all know how the bass guitar sits in the mix has absolutely 0 to do with what brand of bass it is. Right?
I have posted this video before because it shows how close to a Jazz the Rickenbacker slap tone can be.
How do you define “sits in the mix?”
Very subjectively if I’m honest. But I can hear Chris Squire straight through Steve Howe. Likewise Larry Graham is never buried in blend. A good sound tech can make any bass sound good and an inexperienced one can make any bass sound weak or muddy or bury it.
I’m saying there’s no wrong answer, every bass can be a good bass in the right hands.
But you can’t wear shorts while playing a Ric!
I started with a Ric 4000 (one pickup) and later switched to a '77 Jazz. My totally unscientific impression was that the Ric could do about 60 - 70% of what the Jazz could; and the Jazz about 90% of what the Ric could. Obviously there would have been more overlap with a two-pickup Ric. Each brings something unique to the table, but they definitely play in the same ballpark.
Having started on a Ric 4000 myself, I agree with you.
Are those parachute pants?
I would like to hear this with the treble pot pulled.
John
Obviate the discussion: get a Rickenbacker 4002 (yes, "2," not "1" or "3") like I have, if you can find one, and be prepared to pay a 5-digit price for one. As far as pickup placement with regards to the difference in scale: take a 60's J-bass, bring both the nut and the bridge saddles inboard @ 3/8 inch each, and you will have the 33 1/4 inch scale of the Rickenbacker with the pickup placement of a 60s J-bass.
