Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
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Rickenbacker/Ashdown Problem
- Thread starter coop1985
- Start date
I have a very similar setup:
ABM EVO III head.
ABM 210.
ABM 115 Compact.
Rickenbacker 4003.
'57 AV PBass
...and you are right. The overall volume from this setup using my Ric is significantly lower than the output that I get when I use my PBass. I don't know exactly what it is but when I use the Ric there's something missing. When I use the PBass the tone is fuller and fatter, you can feel it in your gut, and I get a lot more volume.
Obviously the two basses have completely different tones but the output level from the Ric is significantly lower than the output level from the PBass when using this setup. Probably with other amps the story would be very different.
I hope that makes some sense.... I'm a bit tired.
ABM EVO III head.
ABM 210.
ABM 115 Compact.
Rickenbacker 4003.
'57 AV PBass
...and you are right. The overall volume from this setup using my Ric is significantly lower than the output that I get when I use my PBass. I don't know exactly what it is but when I use the Ric there's something missing. When I use the PBass the tone is fuller and fatter, you can feel it in your gut, and I get a lot more volume.
Obviously the two basses have completely different tones but the output level from the Ric is significantly lower than the output level from the PBass when using this setup. Probably with other amps the story would be very different.
I hope that makes some sense.... I'm a bit tired.
hiho,been toodling around and try turning the gain up on your amp,they like gettin roughed up a bit but a sansamp,bass attack,mxr 80,radial tonebone or similar device will give you what you need and double as a di box as well
Some people say that Rics have no low end.
These are generally people who have never seen or heard Shrinebuilder.
Also, Rics, in my experience, are very loud. Of course, they're not for everyone (no bass is).
Play through a variety of different amps and see what you like. Don't buy just based off of what you see in other people's backlines.
Also, smiley face EQ's don't work that well in a band context. Start with everything flat. If you want more bottom, bump up the low mids a bit. That will really fatten up the sound.
These are generally people who have never seen or heard Shrinebuilder.
Also, Rics, in my experience, are very loud. Of course, they're not for everyone (no bass is).
Play through a variety of different amps and see what you like. Don't buy just based off of what you see in other people's backlines.
Also, smiley face EQ's don't work that well in a band context. Start with everything flat. If you want more bottom, bump up the low mids a bit. That will really fatten up the sound.
I'm really confused now!!!
I tried my Ric through my Ashdown yesterday, and I really couldn't get a good sound at all. I don't want to sell the Ric and with people saying it's all about technique and EQ I feel like I should persevere but on the other hand, why should I have to?? I may aswell just get a Fender P.
I tried my old Epi T-Bird through the Ashdown and it still wasn't sounding great, but when I put it through my Peavey TNT it sounded amazing!!
What do I do??? AARRGGHHH!!!
I tried my Ric through my Ashdown yesterday, and I really couldn't get a good sound at all. I don't want to sell the Ric and with people saying it's all about technique and EQ I feel like I should persevere but on the other hand, why should I have to?? I may aswell just get a Fender P.
I tried my old Epi T-Bird through the Ashdown and it still wasn't sounding great, but when I put it through my Peavey TNT it sounded amazing!!
What do I do??? AARRGGHHH!!!
wel if your epi -bird sounds pants thro it and sounds amazin thro the tnt,mmm there,s a clue there.
Sell the Ric or sell the amp hmmm?
Are you jamming to MP3s in the basement or are you actually playing with a drummer and guitars. The reason I ask is the bottom line is where it sits in the mix. How does it please you? If you are not happy with it after that, dump it. It's just a bass. It's not magical. It would be a hell of a lot easier to sell the Ric anyway.
I don't really understand why you are having this issue. I'm not and many others are not either. But you are the one that has to be happy.
Are you jamming to MP3s in the basement or are you actually playing with a drummer and guitars. The reason I ask is the bottom line is where it sits in the mix. How does it please you? If you are not happy with it after that, dump it. It's just a bass. It's not magical. It would be a hell of a lot easier to sell the Ric anyway.
I don't really understand why you are having this issue. I'm not and many others are not either. But you are the one that has to be happy.
How does your Rickenbacker sound through the Peavey?
As far as persevering, I agree with ustabawannabe, do what's going to make you happy.
I used to have a 4003, and it was very cool. But I liked my Aria Pro better, and eventually I discovered I like Fender Precisions MUCH better than either one.
Follow what works for you.
Good luck.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I don't get it. I use an Ashdown cab and amp with no problems, though I don't use a Ric, and I'm not doing large club gigs. I've never even heard of the issues that guys here are bringing up.
Maybe something like an RC Bass Booster would help? Either that or maybe you should mess with your EQ a lot more.
Maybe something like an RC Bass Booster would help? Either that or maybe you should mess with your EQ a lot more.
I just had a thought.
It happened when I first got my 06. Wades's Guitar Shop just got it in. I hooked it up on their little bass amp. I noodled around with it and noticed that the neck pup was significantly quieter that than the bridge pup when both tone and volumes were all the way up. This was my 3rd Ric and though I've had a weak E string on my 2000, I never had the big difference in volume between pups before. I had Wade take a listen and he agreed. Rather then send it back to Rickenbacker, he swapped out the neck pickup. That's how I got the toaster. Someone else had ordered it then backed out. The toaster is deeper in my opinion but volume wise, it put out the same signal as the bridge pup. Just like my 2000 and 2004 did. He sent the original pup back to Rickenbacker under warranty
I didn't ask. Is there a major difference in volume between your pups? If so, you may have a defective neck pup like I did.
It happened when I first got my 06. Wades's Guitar Shop just got it in. I hooked it up on their little bass amp. I noodled around with it and noticed that the neck pup was significantly quieter that than the bridge pup when both tone and volumes were all the way up. This was my 3rd Ric and though I've had a weak E string on my 2000, I never had the big difference in volume between pups before. I had Wade take a listen and he agreed. Rather then send it back to Rickenbacker, he swapped out the neck pickup. That's how I got the toaster. Someone else had ordered it then backed out. The toaster is deeper in my opinion but volume wise, it put out the same signal as the bridge pup. Just like my 2000 and 2004 did. He sent the original pup back to Rickenbacker under warranty
I didn't ask. Is there a major difference in volume between your pups? If so, you may have a defective neck pup like I did.
If you can''t get a sound you like out of either a Ric or a T-Bird. I'd suspect the amp or your amp setup. These basses are no where near each other in the spectrum of basses.
You bought a Ric because you wanted a deeper sound?
And you bought an Ashdown?...
Sometimes, a bass and an amp compliment each other perfectly, you get a magic blend where one component suits the other component and it's tone-heaven.
Sometimes you get a situation where you may have a more "specialized" tone bass (Ric) but you choose the right wall of amplification to make up for it.
But, sometimes, you get a combo that just isn't happy, the bass and the amp don't work well together, never will, sorry. You can change pickups or add pedals all you want, you're not going to get a completely satisfactory result until you switch out ONE of those two components... get a different bass or a different amp.
And you bought an Ashdown?...
Sometimes, a bass and an amp compliment each other perfectly, you get a magic blend where one component suits the other component and it's tone-heaven.
Sometimes you get a situation where you may have a more "specialized" tone bass (Ric) but you choose the right wall of amplification to make up for it.
But, sometimes, you get a combo that just isn't happy, the bass and the amp don't work well together, never will, sorry. You can change pickups or add pedals all you want, you're not going to get a completely satisfactory result until you switch out ONE of those two components... get a different bass or a different amp.
If your Tbird sounds crappy through the Ashdown, but great through the Peavey, the obvious answer is to try the Ric through the Peavey as well.
Also, stop scooping your mids, especially the low mids.
