A question I've had in mind for years. First off, i'm a lifelong fan of the rickenbacker 4001/4003 bass. The feel,especially the tone/ sound-- the "growl" if you will that cuts through & pronouces the notes/ chords while retaining the bass tone. My question: have seen over the years many players go from established ric players(Glen Hughes, geddy lee) to playing fender basses. My question is why?
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The Rickenbacker question
- Thread starter realwolfen
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Couldn't tell you, I go back and forth between them.
Geddy has proven that a Jazz can get a sound almost indistinguishable from a Ric, while offering an even wider palette of other sounds available. That, combined with a more comfortable body shape and narrow neck ... what's not to like? I think the versatility in sound is the biggest reason. Of course, it's all a matter of preference
Yes with all the gadgets he uses, there was a thread recently in which he used a P bass and it too sounded like everything else he plays..
Why do people like different things?
Last coupla months have been getting into the history & some music of Jaco. In reflecting, while having seen videos of him playing various brands o basses(Carl thompson, a jaydee@ a MI seminar) wonder how his style/ techniques would've translated on a fretless Ric w roundabouts. Probably would've really sang.
Correction = roundwounds
Rics were designed more for looks than ergonomics. They work for me, but the sharp edges, wonky bridge and pickup cover put some people off. Its a very idiosyncratic bass, and not for everyone. From various interviews, Geddy started out with a Jazz, so the Ric could be called a temporary diversion for him. He's said he just got bored with that tone, and wanted to try other things, the Wal, the Steinberger, etc. No matter what he plays, still sounds like Geddy. A Ric was my first bass, but I sold it after three years looking for something more versatile, a G&L L2k. Now I'm building a replica of my original 79' Ric, part nostalgia trip, part desire to have that tone at my fingertips.
Sounds great, never seen anyone set to replicate a Ric- am sure you'll do a great job. Be sure to share the end result!
I love my Ric 4003's, but I would be a liar if I said a Jazz bass is not more comfortable and ergonomically friendly.
As stated above, you can coax the same growl and aggression from a Jazz, so it kind of makes sense.
A lot of ex-Ric players ended up playing a J or P -style bass by either Fender or another brand.
I also suspect that some players gravitate to Rics early in their playing career due to the aesthetics, which are arguably killer even by the accounts of many who can't stand the tone and feel.
We should start a list of ex-Ric players who quickly moved on from their Rics (i.e. did not record or perform with them for a protracted length of time). I know these:
John Deacon
Phil Lynott
More?
As stated above, you can coax the same growl and aggression from a Jazz, so it kind of makes sense.
A lot of ex-Ric players ended up playing a J or P -style bass by either Fender or another brand.
I also suspect that some players gravitate to Rics early in their playing career due to the aesthetics, which are arguably killer even by the accounts of many who can't stand the tone and feel.
We should start a list of ex-Ric players who quickly moved on from their Rics (i.e. did not record or perform with them for a protracted length of time). I know these:
John Deacon
Phil Lynott
More?
John entwistle, Paul McCartney, Geezer butler, Michael Anthony (for the Panama video) cliff Burton.
I ditched my 4004 Laredo, because it was nearly 10 lbs..
too heavy for me
and the neck was too thick (1997 model)
FWIW the timbre of it never wowed me as much as my Ibanez Premium does.
too heavy for me
and the neck was too thick (1997 model)
FWIW the timbre of it never wowed me as much as my Ibanez Premium does.
79 Ric 4001 on the left, may just be me but I find this bass to be much more comfortable and easier to play than my Jazz bass.
..................once again.
I like Rics , but they do not all feel the same . I have an old 4001 , it's a beauty . I'm also an old Fender guy , and I learned from the beginning that you might see a dozen basses on a rack . And some would feel good , some would not . One would think that anyone that has played any number of basses would realize this . And I do concede that with CNC technology these differences are disappearing , and yet I can play several basss from the same run in a big guitar store , and one will feel better than the others . And the other side of the discussion ... five different players played the same bass at a jam the other night ... and each one made it sound like a different instrument . You simply have to find something that works for you , because you do not play , or have the same touch as the next guy .
I third this awesomeness...
I did. Went from Ric 4001 to Fender Precision.
1. tone (P is more appropriate for what I do).
2. simplicity. (1 volume, 1 tone)
1. tone (P is more appropriate for what I do).
2. simplicity. (1 volume, 1 tone)
