Rickenbacker for Funk? Strings?

[faceman]

Evening all,

Just wondering, I'm wondering if you can get a nice funk sound, similar to a StingRay from a Rickenbacker? If so, what pickup/EQ settings would you choose? I think that sticking to both pickups and keeping the treble back should work but am not too sure. I love playing my Rickenbacker but have not had much luck getting a sound that suits our synth-pop-new wave-80s sound!

Secondly, I've decided to replace the strings that came with mine as they are a little dull now. I bought some D'Addrio EXL-170 Nickel Wound 45-100, as recommended by the salesman in the shop. The sound I'm trying to gauge from my 4003 is a growl but not a clank...I want it to stand out in the mix but not have a Chris Squire or Bruce Foxton tone as that is too aggressive for my band's sound! I play finger style always! Are these stings a good choice? So far, they seem very bright but I am aware this will ware down with time.

Thanks as always

[VRICKY63]

Synth pop new wave 80s ? Was that a Funk tone ? When I think funk I think flatwounds. Watts 100 and 3rd street band, Tower of power, The JBs. Stingrays would be bridge pickup soloed . Maybe you need an effect pedal/envelope filter ?

[rickenbrother]

Players have different ideas as to what the funk bass tone should be. Some like old school thump, some like a bright sound.
The D'Addario XL-170 set is a very choice of strings for many types of music. They are not as bright and aggressive as a stainless steel roundwound string set would sound.
Try lowering the pickups a little if you still find the tone is too aggressive.

[cassius987]

I think RIC stock strings are perfect for Marcus Miller tone actually...

[faceman]

What are the Rick stock strings? How do they compare to the D'Addrios I bought? Marcus' finger tone (e.g. The Nightfly by Donald Fagen) is exactly what I'm looking for. Deep, growly

Thanks for the advice, I'm not looking for a bright over the top slap tone, just deep and growly!

[cassius987]

RIC strings are GHS I think... I dunno.

Anyways, the Marcus Miller song "Power" comes through perfectly with them, using the treble pickup. Better than it did on my Fender Jazz! Make sure the cap is shunted.

[jdogric12]

Nightfly: one of my favorite all time albums. I'll listen tonight (I have it on vinyl) and see if I can tell what he's up to. What you're hearing as a difference between a Rick and a Stingray is probably most attributable to electronics, amps, and action/setup. People use flats and rounds with all model Ricks.

[wints]

I've got a Stingray and a Ric, and I'd take the Stingray all day for the funk tone. A 4004 is probably the best bet if using a Ric, but that huge Stingray thump can't be beat in my honest...

You play fingerstyle? There's your tone!

Oh, I love The Nightfly too. A touch of Tuesday Weld...

[cassius987]

I owned a Stingray for four years... for whatever reason I prefer the Ricky for slap. Persoanlly I think natural EQ is to blame. I know that's not the popular answer, but it's what I've found works for me.

[falconfixer]

^ I have agreed with EVERYTHING you have said (since i joined/NewB) BUT this.

The MM Stingray is significantly better for slap. I thought i was 'funkless' because i could not learn slap to save my life. I picked up a stingray and suddenly I could do it (& am still learning). I went back to the Ric and no joy for the funkOdelics...

The ric is my go-to for great sound and everything else. But for slap? Nope.

My $.02 worth.

[cassius987]

Like I said, it's just what works for me. I owned both and prefer the Ric for slap... otherwise when I did that slap song on my album I would've used the 'Ray. YMMV.

Perhaps I just have bad technique!

[falconfixer]

My 'bad technique' is to 'pull' with my thumb (not slap).... Sounds reasonably close until i try to keep up with Mark King / Level 42...

I will be the first to admit that it is 'hard for me' . You are a 10x better player than i am.

Your results may vary [isn't that legal disclaimer language! ].

[cassius987]

My 'bad technique' is to 'pull' with my thumb (not slap).... Sounds reasonably close until i try to keep up with Mark King / Level 42...

If you like doing it that way and can make it work that's great, otherwise I'd set some time aside to learning the fundamental parts--then build on it from there. Slapping with your thumb is what helps achieve a rhythmic consistency with the techniqe, far more so than the "popping" aspect.

[jayfbv]

Try DR Hi-Beams, .040 to .095 set.

[cassius987]

Ironic, I have actually switched to 45-65-85-105 D'A ProSteels recently and after a recent audition I was picked up for having "the most authentic funk tone [the artist] had ever heard out of a Rick".

Apparently MM uses steel DRs that have his name on the box.