Rickenbacker tone

I'm not sure on the details of Rick wiring, but you might be able to isolate the two pickups somewhat by lowering their volumes a little bit, which would allow for more independent tone controls of each pickup. At least that's how I think VTVT jazz basses work. Never tried in person, so take it with a spoon of salt...

As to the mono output on a Rick - I think most people run theirs mono, so I'd say it's quite useful. Probably more than stereo, as that requires two cables, parallel chains, and either a box to join them or two amps. Lots of hassle, and questionable results... I tried a stereo bass once (PJJ), and found little value in doing so. Except that I could isolate the P pickup

Edit: as shown later in this thread, I too was wrong on the technical aspects... one does not use two cables to run it stereo. But I still think the usefulness of a stereo bass is limited.

 

Actually stereo or 2 channel requires a stereo (tip, ring ,sleeve) to dual mono cable.

 

Stereo-capable Rickenbackers have two standard 1/4" TS jacks, not a single TRS jack.

(I now know this is incorrect. I'm leaving this post here for the continuity of the thread. And as a monument to my ignorance.)

 

No, the ric-o-sound jack is a TRS jack. The other is standard mono.

 

The individual pickup tone controls is something both Rickenbacker and Gibson have done for a long time. Is it effective at isolating the pickups? Who knows. It certainly doesn't hurt anything. As far as whether the mono output is useful, I'm guessing that the vast majority of times you hear a Rickenbacker being played, either live or on a recording, you're hearing the mono output. If you like the Rickenbacker sound at all, it's useful.

 

Uh, no, that's not right.

On ROS equipped basses (and guitars), the "Standard" output jack is TS with a switch on it to normal the two pickups together; the ROS output jack is TRS (to provide for separate pickup outs on the jack).

For mono operation you plug a TS cable into the Standard out; for ROS operation, you plug a TRS cable into the ROS out while not using the Standard jack at all (this is important).

 

I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.

 

I’m curious how many ROS-equipped Ricks have ever been played in stereo.

I’d bet the percentage is minuscule.

 

No problem. I didn't know for years how it worked until 2 years ago. Felt pretty bummed since a had 2 rics before.