Rickenbacker Finger Playing

[Ferniff]

So I wanted to get some input on my playing styles. As much as I love my Rickenbacker, I'm finding it difficult to play, mainly because I like to play finger styles near the neck. Originnaly I would play on low point of the body but that started to take a toll on my wrist after playing for a while. So Im trying out different positions and curious about what you guys think. And whats the best way to play when standing, Im usually getting a lot of strain on my shoulders because of the weight, should I get a new strap?

 

[Mike M.]

I use to play a few Ric's waaay back in the day. As a suggestion you might want to remove the bridge pickup cover as I did on mine. For me, that area was the "sweet spot" for both tone and for playing ease. That way your hand isn't too far forward or too far back. It may be differant for you but for me, positioning my hand over the bridge pickup felt most natural.

As far as a wider strap yeah, they work for me because of my bad back. Helps to distribute the weight across the shoulder better.

Good luck!

 

[Ferniff]

Thank you for the input. I did take the pickup cover off before but didn't really like the tone which sounded to similar to the "grinding" tone I get when I play at the end. What about a strap with a cushion, do those really help?

 

[XsorrowfoxX]

Are you saying your ric is too heavy?

I thought mine was surprisingly light - It's probably my second lightest bass.

 

[Lammchop93]

I took my pickup cover off and find it more useful this way. I can mix the tones up this way. When I had the cover on, I played in the position shown in picture B. I still use this position when the tone needed calls for it.

 

[puddin tame]

what position should you play in? are you kidding? they all make different sounds, you should use all of them depending on how you want to sound in the moment.

as for shoulder pain, get a wider strap. if it still hurts consider hitting the gym

 

[Ric5]

Learn from the master

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[Billnc]

as for shoulder pain, get a wider strap. if it still hurts consider hitting the gym

This can be a symptom of position not strength. (I agree with the strap comment I use really wide straps). OP's position doesn't look completely comfortable.

 

[grisezd]

I played a ric last year (borrowed bass for a country gig) and found it difficult to get a good thumb anchor point. The cover was off and I kept "loosing" my thumb in the hole! I know they make fill plates but I didn't like the bass enough to want to spend money on it. And the neck pickup being so narrow wasn't a good perch for playing there either. I considered adding a small rail, trying to pick up some existing screw holes but never got around to it. The gig ended and I handed it back happily.

Wider strap with some grip to it is a nice idea for any bass!

 

[Ricnroll]

I'm not a qualified intructor but it appears that the body of the bass is way off to your right hand side. Would sitting a little more forward and bringing the neck a little more parallel to the ground be comfortable?

If you are thinking of taking the cover off again, these look to be a good option both aesthetically and functionally. The deluxe and cove models provide a place to park your thumb (if you're into that).

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[Ric5]

Take the damn pickup cover off ... its only function is to make playing the bass harder.

 

[Ferniff]

I'm actually still struggling with this, I should have noted that this is a problem I have only when sitting. My arm/shoulder muscle will start to get sore after playing a while in one of those potions I showed in my pic. Not sure if that's due to weak muscles or bad positioning. Can someone please post a pic of them finger playing a Rick while sitting. Every pic/video I find on Youtube shows people using a pic or the bridge.

 

[bassguitar808]

stretch your arms hands and back before an after

take off the pick up cover, it looks cool, but gets in the way

practice standing up, you're not going to play on stage sitting down

 

[Stilettoprefer]

Take the cover off, it's only aesthetic. And stand up! Keep your bass kinda high and try tilting the neck up a little. I've never played a ric, but this advice goes for any bass. And wider straps with grip are nice.