Rickenbacker vs Fender (Side by Side)

[sloop_john_b]

Also, choice of strings and the ol' .0047 might have a hand in that. But I suspect technique.

[FretlessOnly]

I would add that I get just as much clank from my two FLs as I do from my fretted 4003. Althought the FL variety might better be described as clack.

I think the varnished fingerboard plays a big role, and something about the end of the fingerboard seems to contribute. But I also get it on my Warwick FL. Not so much on my two Fender FLs; but moreso on the varnished maple P-neck as opposed to the unvarnished rosewood J-neck.

[nattiep]

Yeah sorry to hijack but I tend to play hard right over the neck pickup. So hard that the finish at the end of the fretboard is starting to wear. So I guess that's the thing then! Also I think the .0047 is involved. I have far less output from the bridge pickup .

[FretlessOnly]

You have far less output from the bridge P/U because you are hammering away right over the neck pickup (that's pretty much what I do - I love the "classical" tone (not classic Rick but classical as in big round double bass) I can get near the end of the fingerboard, and I use two fingers to just about rip the strings off the bridge from there. You can accomodate this by raising your action a bit and rolling back the neck volume just a hair and boosting the low mid and bass on your rig.

Another thing you can do (you didn't indicate if you play finger-style or with a pick) is to keep your plucking arm up and away from the upper bout of the instrument. Resting your (right?) forearm on the bass body not only promotes carpal tunnel, it induces digging down into the strings instead of pulling them parallel to the bass body.

Another thing I do is to play right over the end of the fingerboard so my pizzicato fingers end up landing on the fingerboard - even bigger round tone, but you lose some volume and highs (you can boost the neck PU back up in this case). Either way, get that right elbow up way up off the bass and rip it!

[AdamBomb]

I tend to tear into the strings pretty hard on a fender when I'm using my fingers and play above the neck pickup as well, and still get clank with higher action that I always need to EQ out. Hopefully this isn't too huge a problem with rics, I'm gonna have to try one with out the horseshoe pickup installed.

[nattiep]

You have far less output from the bridge P/U because you are hammering away right over the neck pickup (that's pretty much what I do - I love the "classical" tone (not classic Rick but classical as in big round double bass) I can get near the end of the fingerboard, and I use two fingers to just about rip the strings off the bridge from there. You can accomodate this by raising your action a bit and rolling back the neck volume just a hair and boosting the low mid and bass on your rig.

Another thing you can do (you didn't indicate if you play finger-style or with a pick) is to keep your plucking arm up and away from the upper bout of the instrument. Resting your (right?) forearm on the bass body not only promotes carpal tunnel, it induces digging down into the strings instead of pulling them parallel to the bass body.

Another thing I do is to play right over the end of the fingerboard so my pizzicato fingers end up landing on the fingerboard - even bigger round tone, but you lose some volume and highs (you can boost the neck PU back up in this case). Either way, get that right elbow up way up off the bass and rip it!

Right handed yes. As for your advice about the arm placement.. I tend to hug my bass with my right arm although when I play Iron Maiden I change how I attack the bass. A lighter touch and a floating thumb.

I play fingerstyle. When I play with a pick my thumb cramps up. I grip them too hard.

With the drop in output I meant this: the bridge soloed and played over that pickup. It's still weak.

[FretlessOnly]

I don't do electrons when they're in copper wire.

[rickenbrother]

I play fingerstyle. When I play with a pick my thumb cramps up. I grip them too hard.

Have you tried several different types of picks?
Try holding a pick at times when you're not playing, like when you are watching TV. Get used to holding it firmly without the intense grip.

[antonius]

For me the sharkfin shape of pick feels much more secure, due to it's irregular shape and points and curves which seem to fit nicely with my fingers and so I can get away with a very light grip. I like them thin and snappy too as they absorb some of the force of your up and down strokes (a very cheap but effective limiter ) which probably also helps keep them held securely. But this should probably have its own thread

[rickenbrother]

Not that I use a pick all that often, but I've used these Dunlop Max Grip picks and they are easy to hold on to. I just wish they made them in a larger size for bassists. These would be cool if the grip was in the center if their triangle shaped picks.

Dunlop Max Grip Picks

[nattiep]

I used to have these. Used the same one for years actually. I've since lost them all and haven't bothered to get more.

[rickaddict]

I would add that I get just as much clank from my two FLs as I do from my fretted 4003. Althought the FL variety might better be described as clack.

I think the varnished fingerboard plays a big role, and something about the end of the fingerboard seems to contribute. But I also get it on my Warwick FL. Not so much on my two Fender FLs; but moreso on the varnished maple P-neck as opposed to the unvarnished rosewood J-neck.

+1

I definitely get less clank on my 4001C64S than my other Ricks.

[Jimmy-Jim-Jim]

I had an 83 Jazz one of the last Fullerton basses and it was wonderful. In fact it may have been too big, too impressive. Now I have a 1978 4001 which cannot compete for sheer presence, but the Jazz filled up too much air space and the bass was just too fundamental. The Rickenbacker on the other hands leaves space for other instruments and a productive interaction between guitar and bass and it encourages a form of melodic playing not unlike baroque basso continuo.

[haw]

Great post.

[still]

Or for a couple more bucks the Classic Vibe line - I have the '50's P and if it stands up to the Fender version quite nicely. One could have a brandy-new 4003 and one of the Squiers easily for right around 2k. IHMO the only significant difference between the Squier CV line and a Mexi Fender is the $$$$, as a matter of fact the Squiers seem to be consistently better quality wise than the Fenders which in recent years have been somewhat hit and miss.

My thoughts exactly. Love my 4001, and that 50's Squier is just a joy.