Rickenbacker tone without ludicrous prices?

[sears]

You already have a set idea of what you want: Al Cisneros in Sleep, Geddy on 2112, Chris Squire on Fragile or Paul McCartney on the White Album.
With regards to point 7, who buys a Rickenbacker because they want a blank canvas bass to woodshed on? Who buys one because they had All The World's A Stage on vinyl when they were 12?

rICK jAMES

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Plus, he had those thigh-high red boots, a known tone-enhancer.

 

[40Hz]

Peavey T-40 is supposed to get close.. I don’t know how close in reality.

I’ve got a T-40. It’s true it can be made to sound similar to a few other basses. At least to some degree.

Can it be made to sound exactly like some other bass?

IMO the answer is: no.

 

[Axstar]

rICK jAMES

Unity!!!

 

[Eilif]

I'd agree with the folks that say a T-40 will get you closer than most. If you go with the T-40 I recommend the late "Blade" pickup models. A bit higher output and brighter sounding that the earlier "Toaster" models. And of course bright strings.

 

[john_g]

I think a jazz can be close with the right EQ.

My Ric is my main bass and has been for years, but Ive had two Jazz's that lived on the same block tone-wise. That was the reason I sold them, I generally dont like much redundancy. Others have already mentioned but a Peavey T40 can allegedly cop similar tones. OP, what is your price range? If you are talking $500 give or take, I would try a jazz or peavey.

 

[Skillet]

This gets real close, between the lipsticks and the big single coil.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

My 2016 MIM made Geddy Lee Jazz bass sounds more like a Ric than a Jazz bass. I also have an 08 Geddy Lee (MIJ) and it has more lows and less high mids so it sounds more like a 70's Jazz bass.
There's something about the 2016. It must be the pickups. It has the old school 4001 with both pickups dimed tone.

 

[Spidey2112]

I've been feverishly saving up for my dream Ferrari. Going by my current rate, I should have just enough about 20 years after I'm dead.

I'd park it close, with restrictions.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

My 2016 MIM made Geddy Lee Jazz bass sounds more like a Ric than a Jazz bass. I also have an 08 Geddy Lee (MIJ) and it has more lows and less high mids so it sounds more like a 70's Jazz bass.
There's something about the 2016. It must be the pickups. It has the old school 4001 with both pickups dimed tone.

I don't know about the MIM Geddy, but the US Geddy I just sold did not cop the sounds I get from my new 4003S, though the Geddy is a GREAT bass. Just not for me. Cheers!

 

[lug]

Surprised the G&L guys aren’t chiming in with “My L-2000...”

I have a Ric, a T40, and an L2000. The T40 is MUCH easier to get a Ric tone out of than the L2000.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I don't know about the MIM Geddy, but the US Geddy I just sold did not cop the sounds I get from my new 4003S, though the Geddy is a GREAT bass. Just not for me. Cheers!

Yeah the new US Geddy has a more traditional 70's Jazz bass tone with more lows and mids since for some reaon they put CS60's pickups in it and changed the neck profile.
For some reason my 2016 model has this thin ultra high mid trebly growl to it.

 

[misslynn909]

I just use a pedal. It isn't as nice as a rick sound but it'll do. Also, I found some for cheaper prices online (sssooorrrttta), there was one for like $100-ish. (like, 170 something? It was probably an off-brand, but oh well) I'm supposed to get one for my 16th birthday but, seeing how much they cost probably not. Maybe just look into the pedal thing. Cheaper? Yes. Does it sound the same? Eh, not really... I'm still a baby to my basses.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I love that Rickenbacker tone but I just don't have that type of cash. Are there any less expensive basses that sound like a Rickenbacker?

Maybe try the Tech 21 YYZ pedal. I have one and it can get Geddy's tone if that's what you're looking for.

 

[superdick2112]

$20 for 10 peanuts, that's what I'd call ludicrous!

Best nut for metal?

 

[Glenn Johnson]

Yeah the new US Geddy has a more traditional 70's Jazz bass tone with more lows and mids since for some reaon they put CS60's pickups in it and changed the neck profile.
For some reason my 2016 model has this thin ultra high mid trebly growl to it.

Ah, that would change things for sure. . . . Enjoy that Geddy of yours!

EDIT: Actually the US Geddy did NOT use CS 60'S - it had custom-voiced American Vintage 70's pu's

 

[bearfoot]

I think it could be done with Rick pickups and electronics, but the scale length is probably the other main unique factor of Rick tone.

So I think a DIY bass with the exact Rick scale length, with authentic Rick electronics, would be the closest you could get - like maybe you could get Wishbass to do one at that scale length?

 

[Ric5]

I love that Rickenbacker tone but I just don't have that type of cash. Are there any less expensive basses that sound like a Rickenbacker?

Geddy gets the Rickenbacker tone from a jazz bass from a pawn shop

 

[matty1039]

I agree their prices are ludicrous because they only have one price point. If you want a jazz or precision tone you can get that at multiple price points from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, but you can only get a Ric tone north of $1K. I know they are putting out a quality product that is unique but most major manufactures at least offer versions at various price points. Look at Hofner: $400, $800 and $2300 (I'm ballparking those prices.)

 

[Axstar]

This gets real close, between the lipsticks and the big single coil.

Pickups are in the right spot at least.