Rickenbacker Basses Versus Guitars

teb · Post by **teb** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:36 pm

I find it kind of funny that the SG gets so much reverence these days. Back when they were common, there were a couple well knowns that played them, but in general, nobody wanted one. This was before decent Japanese guitars hit the market and in those days you bought an SG or an EBO or EB3 bass if you couldn't afford anything better. For a while, I had a Les Paul Junior that was kind of like an early stripped-down SG with Les Paul inscribed on the TRC. I think I paid $125 for it when I was broke (which was most of the time while I was in the music business). These days, they sell used for a couple grand but they aren't any better than they were back then. My bass was a used EBO (at least until I had the fingerboard and body replaced and the wiring and pickups modded) because it was all I could afford.

I'm presently waiting for my fancy Rosewood Tele to arrive from California and hoping that it will sound as good as and have the tonal versatility and balls that my Ric 250 does. If it does, I'll be really happy with it. Go figure.....

I almost think that if Rickenbacker wanted to make a popular rock guitar they would need to introduce something which looks new and different (even if it has the same guts as other, current solid body models - which from what I can tell seem perfectly adequate). The 300 series guitars are "living history", classic Rickenbackers. The 600 series are advertised as being based on guitars from almost 60 years ago! I really don't think that JH and crew spend most of their time looking backward, but I do believe that among the ranks of potential future customers, who don't know Rics on an intimate basis, that perception is very common. Once in a while, when somebody says "Hey, have you seen that new Ric?" it might be nice if it really was something new, rather than a re-issue. Having owned a 360, a 650 and a 250 I find it hard to believe that people pidgeon-hole their sounds into such narrow categories. Whenever I read something like that, it makes me wonder whether the author has ever actually played one for any length of time? But I think you're going to have to break the mold to to change the public perception.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:54 pm

John, that's hilarious!

I'd love to hear that, mainly to see if the Ric humbuckers have the required "crunch" to pull off something like that. I used to be able to play a lot of Metallica stuff, then switched to bass and now sound like a complete tool when playing my guitarist's guitar at band practice.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:56 pm

Also, I have no reverence for the SG at ALL. The only good one I ever had was a "Firebrand" SG, the others I have had wouldn't stay in tune, the neck would flex if you moved and sound like a tremelo, I hated them. I did have a nice '62 that I sold a few years back and haven't missed it a day. Now the Pauls, I still miss those. (sniff).

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:37 pm

John, that's hilarious! I'd love to hear that, mainly to see if the Ric humbuckers have the required "crunch" to pull off something like that. I used to be able to play a lot of Metallica stuff, then switched to bass and now sound like a complete tool when playing my guitarist's guitar at band practice.

Heck, I don't even have a Rick with 'buckers, I was gonna do it with either toasters or hi-gains! I'll have to undertake this project very soon!

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:20 pm

Well said Howard....

Nate...you have mail.....

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:06 am

That's not fair Tony, I want to hear this one

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:29 am

I still hear some folks refer to the SG as " The Original Banana Neck" or "The Rubber-band Neck." I had a 62RI SG and it would change pitch sharp from the warmth of your hand. They are fun to play and sound great but are not very stable.

Steve, we will have to get together for you to try my 650 soon as long as one of us can handle the long 5 minute drive. LOL

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:02 am

"Back when they were common, there were a couple well knowns that played them..."

Todd...I'm presuming you're referring to Zappa and your namesake, Mr. Rundgren...both of whom did some amazing work with their SG's, but I think it's safe to assume that it was their musicianship rather than the guitar that was so impressive. The first band I played in (mid '70's) was prog, and we played a lot of Gabriel-era Genesis...our lead player, who often put more money into his car and girlfriends than his gear, insisted on playing nothing but his SG (being a Zappa/Rundgren freak)...that damn guitar had almost no sustain whatsoever, and I can still recall with chagrin the way he attempted to cop Steve Hackett's 'go for a bite and come back and you'll still be hearing that one' perpetual sustain....most especially, the string-bend notes at the end of "Watcher Of The Skies"...

Zappa? Get an SG...Lennon/Harrison/McGuinn, etc? You'll be needing a Rick...but Hackett??? Nothing but a 'Paul' will do...

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:07 am

Don't forget Clapton used the SG painted by The Fool in Cream. Harrison also used one for some of the Beatle stuff. I think I may have a pic of him with it at home.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:32 am

And you might be forgetting Pete Townshend who knew how to play an SG. I recently bought a reissue SG Classic (Heritage cherry with P90's), because of its similarity to Pete's favored guitars of the late 60's. I haven't spent much time playing it, but it seems like a very nice guitar.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:08 am

I have a '99 Cherry SG and have no problems with it - well, not since I set it up properly!