Low Action - The Way To The Classic Tone?

[spongebob]

I've noticed since I had my 4003 set-up - with the action really low - how much the tone is much more 'classic' Ric.

My 2010 is quite low, but nowhere near as low as the set-up Ric - and the tone difference is massive.

The 2010 sounds good, but quite muted. The low action on the other bass give the tone, with fingerstyle or pick, loads of 'clang'. I suppose I always think of that sound when it comes to the 4003, and that's the reason I wanted one in the first place!

Through my little practice amp, it's not so different - but crank it up through the Markbass, and the clank just roars!

Now I've got to lower the 2010 - it's funny how such a slight adjustment can make a massive change to tone and feel.

[jamespaul71]

I find the higher the action the more "classic" the tone. Less clank, more mccartney "doom doom doom"

[cassius987]

Too low of action drives me crazy in terms of tone because the ease of fretting takes away some of the oomph in the fundamental, or so I hear it. Apparently I like lower action than Fender Custom Shop says it should be set to, however--I checked my specs against theirs a few weeks ago. I think the main thing with me is that I despise fret buzz, so I always keep the bass set up to avoid it above all else. This gives the string just enough resistance to have some real fundamental before going all clanky.

But I don't really even get what "classic tone" is so who knows what I'm actually shooting for. I didn't buy a Ric with anything like that in mind. I think that's cool though, that Rics are not the one-trick ponies people think and can be set up for a number of styles.

[henry5]

Low action all the way for me...or as low as those old basses of mine will go, at least.

[rickcrazy]

4001ize your 4003, and you'll get the unique Rickenbacker bass tone!

[haw]

Well, definition of what constitutes the "classic" tone is always going to be a hot potato. It all depends on who it was that turned you onto the bass in the first place.

There will definitely be those that go for the McCartney thud (although "Yer Blues" is more clank than thud).

I however came to Ricks through Mr Squire so for me I suppose its the low action clank that's the definitive sound.

[cheyenne]

Well, definition of what constitutes the "classic" tone is always going to be a hot potato. It all depends on who it was that turned you onto the bass in the first place.

There will definitely be those that go for the McCartney thud (although "Yer Blues" is more clank than thud).

I however came to Ricks through Mr Squire so for me I suppose its the low action clank that's the definitive sound.

+1

[ricaddic]

I have and love my action low , and it is as low as it can get on my ricks, as far as the tone and sound, I get the classic Rick sound without any problems,

[cheyenne]

My basses buzz when played acoustically,,,but when I plug them in its Rickenbacker bass magic.

[FretlessOnly]

Classic 4001 tone is Geddy to me. Digging in, blisters ripping open all over the place, high action and sweat. It's not a guitar - it's a bass.

[spongebob]

Classic 4001 tone is Geddy to me. Digging in, blisters ripping open all over the place, high action and sweat. It's not a guitar - it's a bass.

Amen to that, Rickenbrothers and sisters!

I've just had my 2010 MG 4003 set up by the luthier that sorted my JG, Martin Sims who also makes the Enfield Custom guitars.

http://www.simscustom.com/

He's over here in the UK, and the work he does is fantastic. He knows his Rics, and TBH, both now sound just like I always wanted them to.

It's (for me) the classic tone, but it's also my tone.

[wints]

Tone is purely subjective, and most of it comes from the left and right hands...