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So what's the deal with Ric's???
- Thread starter Noseferatu
- Start date
Yeah, "Roundabout" did it for me! I'd like to say it was McCartney but most of the time I cannot tell if it's his Ric or the Hofner and I own both!
Gale
Gale
It's a pick player's bass. It was very popular in the 70s when bass amps had a hard time competing. Bass players were almost always pick players, especially in heavy metal and heavy rock: Chris squire, Lemmy, among others.
The amount of treble generated is such that these guys could finally be heard as they were able to cut through the mix.
I have tried one and I did not like it, I found it incredibly old fashioned and did not understand what the fuss was about, but I guess it's like Sushi.
Illustration by the example (my favorite Motorhead song):
The amount of treble generated is such that these guys could finally be heard as they were able to cut through the mix.
I have tried one and I did not like it, I found it incredibly old fashioned and did not understand what the fuss was about, but I guess it's like Sushi.
Illustration by the example (my favorite Motorhead song):
Oh no not another rush vid! Just kidding -
I think generalizing things might be good here - Rickenbackers have a very specific tone, you have to just play one in a band mix to know what it sounds like, and if you're into Geddy or Chris (or Cliff?) you just might like it!
I think generalizing things might be good here - Rickenbackers have a very specific tone, you have to just play one in a band mix to know what it sounds like, and if you're into Geddy or Chris (or Cliff?) you just might like it!
All of the above negatives = why I never bought one.
I did get a Greco Ric-clone. Remember the poster above mentioning mods?
He's right.
This one's getting a Pickguardian finger-cutter cover(rear pickup cavity) and a real bridge(i.e. one that lets you set each string individually).
They do have their own sound BUT I've learned with a ton of tweaking on a Line 6 BASPODXTLive you can extract something VERY close with a Greco LP.
Hints: boost the same stuff a Ric puts out but don't overdrive the SVT "amp" model. Rotosounds & Greco T-Bird pickups help.
I did get a Greco Ric-clone. Remember the poster above mentioning mods?
He's right.
This one's getting a Pickguardian finger-cutter cover(rear pickup cavity) and a real bridge(i.e. one that lets you set each string individually).
They do have their own sound BUT I've learned with a ton of tweaking on a Line 6 BASPODXTLive you can extract something VERY close with a Greco LP.
Hints: boost the same stuff a Ric puts out but don't overdrive the SVT "amp" model. Rotosounds & Greco T-Bird pickups help.
Here we go again......
Rickenbackers have "their" sound. They can be "growly", "clanky", edgy, you name it. They're not the most versatile bass, but they have their own sound. I have yet to find another bass that sounds like one.
If you like early Geddy Lee, Chris Squire or Roger Glover, then you'll like a Ric.
BTW, I'm the owner of a '73 Jetglo 4001 and an '89 Mapleglo 4003.
I own a Ric, and I can play everything with it. Why, because it has two (2) pups, (2) tone knobs, (2) input jacks one being stereo. With a proper amp that doesn't colour my sound I can achieve a P/J tone, and many others, just like many (2) pup basses. I am not the greatest player by far, just a journeyman, I player all basses by Leo and Rics and sound like me (bass player) with each instrument in hand. My RIC could easily be the only bass I ever need (to record and play out).
Ric the unicorn of basses. A myth that many have heard about but few have experience firsthand.
- Mar 11, 2010
- 244
- 18
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Höfner, Pyramid Strings, Dr. No FX & Asterope cables
Sorry, I don't get them...They always sound thin, and don't have a lot of bottom... Maybe if you're into pedals you'll like them, like distortion / fuzz type of stuff...
" I mean, I've never played a Rickenbacker, but everyone seems to love them, so just explain what's so awesome about them. "
No...everyone doesn't seem to love them. Try one and let us know if you love them and what is so awesome about them.
No...everyone doesn't seem to love them. Try one and let us know if you love them and what is so awesome about them.
The best thing about Rickenbacker basses is how angry some people get that other people like them!
Actually, I just prefer them. I have three, but I do have one Fender P bass, a Highway One that I keep trying to sell, but everytime I pick it up, I just can't part with it! VERY nice bass!
Actually, I just prefer them. I have three, but I do have one Fender P bass, a Highway One that I keep trying to sell, but everytime I pick it up, I just can't part with it! VERY nice bass!
The neck profile would greatly depend on the year. I had a 78 and haven't found a thinner neck since.
To the OP: as with any bass that people like here, sound and (in varying degrees) aesthetics. Every person who has ever liked a bass on this website has given a variation of "sounds/feels/looks good". So there's your answer. You might pick one up and and love it or you might think it's two steps removed from a shoebox dulcimer. Others here are right: try one and let us know your impressions. Asking random folks on the internet what is great about a bass isn't the best idea. They can give you very detailed answers but, until you've played one yourself, those answers might as well be in braille.
Mike
If the same bass can do McCartney's tone and Geddy Lee's, I'd say it's a damn well versatile instrument.
Chris Squire. The man has played one for 40 years and put out some of the most incredible sounds with it. He's the reason I started bass.
I played the Squire sig yesterday. No tail lift (or what ever it's called) it had a pretty thin neck (as with all Ric's I've played, everybody who says their necks are thick are wusses
) , ect ect. I wouldn't pay a used price for one! They are way too damn pricey. I've played a copy (who's brand excapes me) and it was just as good and the guy said he got it for $600. It was prolly a little less in quality but nailed the vibe and tone of rics.
Mine's not heavy at all! It's actually pretty light compared to my Jazz basses. It sounds great, feels great, looks awesome, but theres a tiny bit of neckdive. Other than that, no complaints.
I play Fender and G&L, and have never owned a Ric, but I've played a bunch and have heard several on stage in other bands. In a rock band mix, they sound incredible IMO, with a unique aggressive edge, but I get plenty of nastiness with my basses, so I wouldn't put up with the other issues (price, comfort) to have one. Even so, the Ric GAS does flare up occasionally, especially for Mapleglo.
The first few responses are priceless.
You really want to know? From someone who's Ric experienced, but not a lover or hater?
I've got no dogs in this hunt, so here it goes...
Back in the 70s NY band scene when you outgrew your Sekova, you had three affordable options: Fender P, J or a Ric (coupla Guilds and MMs around, but they were more expensive).
Based on what your scene was, you chose. If you were into metal, and appreciated the more 'featured' mainstream bassists; Lee, Squire, etc. you went Ric. If you were into Punk or rock and followed either solid players or 'acts', think JPJones, Sting or Vicious you leaned towards a P.
Anyone else went J.
Seriously, you could usually tell what was coming out of the case based on the band.
That's what a Ric was, a solid, affordable mid level instrument. 30 years later, there are so many options for basses, it seems difficult to jump on a Ric as a mid level or even find one to try out. I was in a Sam Ash the other day and a new Ric was in a glass case like a museum piece. Back in the day, they were practically stacked like cord-wood.
So, the exclusivity coupled with the QC issues has created a world of haters and defenders with a lot of emotion going around. No one's pissing on my Ray, but I'd feel obligated to defend if they did.
If they were available and $1300 (equivalent of what 70s prices in today dollars would be) you'd find a lot more players willing to get past the initial uncomfortableness of them and find the tone. It's hard to get used to the shape right out of the gate, sharp edges and all. They would also look the other way at a few of the well known issues.
You really want to know? From someone who's Ric experienced, but not a lover or hater?
I've got no dogs in this hunt, so here it goes...
Back in the 70s NY band scene when you outgrew your Sekova, you had three affordable options: Fender P, J or a Ric (coupla Guilds and MMs around, but they were more expensive).
Based on what your scene was, you chose. If you were into metal, and appreciated the more 'featured' mainstream bassists; Lee, Squire, etc. you went Ric. If you were into Punk or rock and followed either solid players or 'acts', think JPJones, Sting or Vicious you leaned towards a P.
Anyone else went J.
Seriously, you could usually tell what was coming out of the case based on the band.
That's what a Ric was, a solid, affordable mid level instrument. 30 years later, there are so many options for basses, it seems difficult to jump on a Ric as a mid level or even find one to try out. I was in a Sam Ash the other day and a new Ric was in a glass case like a museum piece. Back in the day, they were practically stacked like cord-wood.
So, the exclusivity coupled with the QC issues has created a world of haters and defenders with a lot of emotion going around. No one's pissing on my Ray, but I'd feel obligated to defend if they did.
If they were available and $1300 (equivalent of what 70s prices in today dollars would be) you'd find a lot more players willing to get past the initial uncomfortableness of them and find the tone. It's hard to get used to the shape right out of the gate, sharp edges and all. They would also look the other way at a few of the well known issues.
