Saw the Bangles This Weekend

[firstbassman]

State Theatre, Falls Church, VA. Great show. Hoffs played her sig RIC the entire show.

Two comments, one question.

Susanna’s Rickenbacker guitar (as often the case with rhythm guitars in live shows) was buried in the mix under the lead guitar and drums (and vocals).
I hate when that happens.

But she would hit a couple of chords before the start of a song each time the roadie switched guitars for her. And to those who still think RICs are one-trick-ponies for a clean “jangly” sound I was surprised to hear that Susanna actually plays with a good deal of distortion. We’re not talking Metallica here, but a lot more than I would have guessed.

Question – anyone know the difference between the two RICs she used? Different tunings? Or is just so that she can always have a re-tuned guitar handy?

[scotty]

Ive not seen the Bangles live.Shame on me, the next time they are near my way i will definitely go and see them.

[whojamfan]

Her signature model has an HB1 in the bridge, and may have had other humbucking type pickups in it. I think she had a few different configurations, which I'm sure the RIC crew will chime in the specifics. I always hate it when you go see a band that has a big "pro" setup like that, and you can't hear the instruments in a pleasing mix.

I saw them in the early 80s before the "All over the place" album came out in Los Angeles. I'm sure Paul A. was there, or at another of that same era. I really loved the whole 60s thing they had going on, and pretty much stopped listening when they changed their sound. Those great guitar tones seemed to cease after that record for the most part. IMHO. Still, if I had the chance, I'd go se them again.

Steve Diggle from the Buzzcocks uses a 330 with a good amount of distortion on it, and the sound is awesome. They're still cutting records and touring, very good powerpop/punk band, one of the first. I hate to use the word "punk" in describing anything, as these guys really write some good music with great guitar riffs and bits.

[ozover50]

She now has two (maybe three) humbuckers on her 350. I noticed at the 75th concert that she had a fair bit of distortion happening and she was low in the mix. Maybe that's the way she likes it. By contrast, Matthew Sweet's Rick jangled like crazy and stood out.

Wish they'd come to Oz!!

[paologregorio]

The last time I saw the Bangles was on my birthday up in San Francisco at Mariners' Hall in 2000; I really don't remember much about the specific guitars at the moment. I remember they sounded great, and that Debbie Peterson stepped out from behind the drum kit to lead sing and play acoustic guitar on "Going Down to Liverpool", with the drum duties performed by drum machine. It was a really cool show, complete with a Psychedelic light show.

[rkbsound]

Aside from the "classic" sound of a Rick 12 string, I really prefer the sound of a Rickenbacker 6 string with a bit of overdrive. Sure, plenty of recorded bands use a clean sound with their 6 stringers, but to me, in a live situation, the Rickenbacker 6 string guitar really shines with some good overdrive or at least a hint of it! Doesn't mean that you have to lose any of "that sound".

[janglerocker]

They're in my town Friday night. Like a 1/4 mile from home. Can someone assure me I'm not cheating on my wife if I go?

[JakeK]

Susanna got prettier as she got older...not the case with most women.

Pete Townshend would distort his Ric 6-strings...with a Tone Bender!

[johnallg]

Susanna got prettier as she got older...not the case with most women.

Very true, but one thing to remember, the 80s look was not kind to anyone.

[bitzerguy]

They're in my town Friday night. Like a 1/4 mile from home. Can someone assure me I'm not cheating on my wife if I go?

Nope!

[ozover50]

They're in my town Friday night. Like a 1/4 mile from home. Can someone assure me I'm not cheating on my wife if I go?

Nope!

+1!

I have to go with Dean on this one........

[rickboy88]

I saw this thread and just had to post my ritual Bangles "In Your Room" video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLzrRAs8fdc

[winston]

It's easy to get banished to the dog house just for for looking............... A pretty girl with a Rickenbacker strapped to her, always gets my attention though.

[whojamfan]

Susanna got prettier as she got older...not the case with most women.

Pete Townshend would distort his Ric 6-strings...with a Tone Bender!

I've seen a ton of women who looked way better when they got older. Didn't Pete use a Superfuzz? I know he did for all of that Live at Leeds era stuff.

[kiramdear]