Ideas on getting a country sound out of a ric ?

david_lopes · Post by **david_lopes** » Wed Jun 06, 2001 2:32 am

When I think of Rics, I think more of a rythm/UK Pop/Beatles/Byrds/60's rock guitar. That being said, country greats like James Burton was hired to play the 360 when it was in its prototype phase. I own a 360 & 660 and am curious to see if any of you have any ideas about how and if such guitars can get a country sound. I have a telecaster that I am thinking about selling to slim down the number of guitars, but like it for country licks. I would be a lot less bummed out about it, if I could figure out ways of getting country sounds out of my rics.

Thanks in advance !

rob · Post by **rob** » Thu Jun 07, 2001 7:42 am

Well, I wouldn't see why not.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jun 07, 2001 8:22 am

When you think of a 'country sound' I guess you mean something along the lines of Danny Gatton or Vince Gill; this involves basically a Fender sound with a five-position switch in the two or four position. Rickenbackers in a stock configuration have been used on old and new country songs, Emmylou Harris and Mary-Chapin Carpenter come to mind right off.....I think you could make one HELL of a rockabilly record using old combo Rickenbackers from the '50s. Arguably they have a much better sound than a Tele---they are just plain HOT with the old pickups !!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Jun 09, 2001 3:33 am

I would have to ask what style of picking are you talking about ....the Chet Atkins sort ?
The Albert Lee/James Burton ?
The Hellecaster?The Pete Anderson?
or someone else?

I think part of the Tele thing is just players thinking that that equals 'Country' .

One exception was the player ...and I'm sorry that I can't remember Fred's last name at the moment.....he played live on Ralph Emory's show and he used everything .Even Marshall were one of his favorite stage amps!

dave_lopes · Post by **dave_lopes** » Sat Jun 09, 2001 9:09 am

I guess that my real question is how to make a ric 360 sound country in general : getting it to twang for example.

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Sun Jun 10, 2001 9:42 am

Hi Dave , I had Country Gentleman (traded it) and
Tennesseen (sold it to the japanese). My 360 covers a bunch of those tones (big bass notes ,
good middle cut and a distinctive treble that can
be shaped many ways). Heres my deal, My string
guage is way heavy for true 3rd and some second
string bends, so I know to not expect that out of
mine. Experiment with amps, and get a good acoustic if you dont have one. My point? I dunno.