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Rickenbacker or Thunderbird

B

BruceofBruce

Feb 28, 2008
16
0
Boston MAss!
#1
hey all,
so Ive been prowling through the posts here looking for some opinions.
and there are a lot of them.
let me explain my situation and then I'd love to hear some advice.

I'm playing Bass in a Stoner/Doom metal band. Sabbath, the Melvin's, Mastodon,Sleep Electric Wizard ,Orange Goblin. riffy low end stuff.

my current set up is a GK back line 600 head and a 2 10 cab and a 15 cab.
a boss Octave pedal and a Russian Big Muff.

I use both sparingly and rely more on the clean sound.

the bass I'm playing now is a Fender Areodyne Jazz.
I got it at the right price and it's got a neck I love.
I have smaller hands.

but.
I'm looking for something else.
a deeper growl I guess.

so I've been thinking about a different bass.
now I'm drawn to and torn between the Gibson Thunderbird IV
and a Rickenbacker 4003.
problem is I can't find 2 in the same shop to compare.
they both sound and feel great....but I'm still not sure.

with all that in mind what do you guys think?
thanks!
 
#3
I like the Ric myself. It has so many options to create different sounds. I like the feel of it as well. But, if you were to get the Thunderbird then that would be good also. Still I go with the Ric.
 
#4
Wow. I can't think of two options more different from each other.

Given your current gig I would go with the Thunderbird. Ricks aren't exactly known for a lot of low-end... whereas Thunderbirds deliver the "roar". I think in the context of your band that a Thunderbird would look more at home than a Rick as well.

Agreed that your current bass is totally wrong for that gig.
 
#6
Personally, I'd be comfortable using a 4003 in that situation, but if you're looking for something a little bit fatter you might try a 4004 - still definitely Ric look and Ric tone, but humbuckers instead of single coils.

(Plus the 4004 is a little bit cheaper, freeing up valuable beer funds).
 
#8
4004 is a good option here. I think that gives you a good middle ground. I have enver been to enamored of T birds, but I can't deny the sound it there, and I am a Ric fan big time. I do agree that Humbuckers are the better pickup option for a heavier doom metal sound, but I always associated the Melvins with a ton of feedback and awful earsplitting noises, and Ric single coils can provide that racket in spades. Better get all three.
 
#9
I'll +1 the 4004 option. I have both a 4003 and 4004, and until recently a Thunderbird. Of the 3, the 4004 has the most growl and bite. Very deep, yet still articulate and snappy sounding. Ric recently made of big run of them, so you should be able to find one online somewhere, but don't wait too long. I waited over 2 years for mine.
 
#12
demon666 said:
Owning both I'de say you can't really go wrong with either. I play mostly the same kinda stuff now and I'm comfortable with either (or a nice P bass) If you wanna make a trek down to Providence your more then welcome to come by and check em out.
Click to expand...

Owning a gibby Tbird and having owned a Ric in the past I'd say either as well. As long as you know how your eq works you'll be fine with either.....probably be boosting lows on the Ric maybe and maybe cutting lows or boosting high mids on the Tbird.
 

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