Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I use my fingers on the RIC almost 99% of the time, I use a pick on certain songs that require that certain 4/4 attack. I alternate the anchor between using my pinky on the bridge pickup cover and putting my thumb on either the E string or the ridge of the pickguard

Very informative thread ...

I play mostly with a pick, Clayton 1.54mm, usually picking between the bridge pickup and the bridge for a tight, sharp, sound, and because the higher string resistance near the bridge makes it easier for me to play fast (some of the stuff I play is close to hardcore/thrash/speedmetal tempos).

For two- or three-finger style ... hmmm ... where DO I put my thumb when I'm playing the E string (I think it must be the edge of the pick guard like Sea Green)? I don't find any discomfort from it, but then again, I never play an entire set fingerstyle. I put the thumb on the E-string when I'm playing on the other strings, of course.

And there's also one song where I switch between pick and fingers a couple times, so for that one, I tuck the pick between my index and middle fingers, and use the old-school thumb style (you can see Brian Wilson playing that way in old Beach Boys footage), with my wrist resting on the bridge pickup cover (see, it DOES serve a purpose!).

Thumb goes either on the neck pickup or on the dip just behind it on the pickguard if playing with fingers. If a part is extremely notey and requires palm muting, that is handled with a pick, palm rested on the bridge saddles. There is better tone playing between the pickups, but since I have the pickup covers intact, that doesn't allow muting that easily.

With my fingers right between the bass pickup and treble pickup cover...The thumb sits nicely on the E string as it waits to be used (making contact with the pick gaurd)... If I use a pick..its a fender thin.

Ah yes...where DO you put your thumb on a Ric? I made thumbrests out of lucite that resemble the finger rests on vintage Ricks. I mounted them to two of my basses just above the strings at an angle that's the most ergonomic for that particular bass.

I recently took to using a "Real Man's" pick, a 2 mm purple Dunlop. My Rotosounds obediently get out of the way every time. My picking site tends to be either side of the Horseshoe, depending on the desired sound.

For fingerstyle playing, some of you may want to offer advice here. I tend to be kinda physical fingering my Rick, but like to shove the strings down on to the pickup in an effort to cut thru better, I suppose to cop the ATWAS sound, but using two when I go finger.

Garry

My thumb sits on the edge of treble pick-up and I strike the strings over the pole pieces with my first & ring fingers, since I am unable to use my middle finger.

Gary-
Try using your first & ring fingers,& play over the treble pickup. You can get the E & A strings to cut through yet still sound bassy, while the D & G have the bright "Geddy" pop. I use Rotosounds also.

Peter-
This is a very interesting topic, just when I thought this forum couldn't get any better.

I think I had a good idea starting this thread ...

I go through phases in my bass playing ... I started out as a thumb plucker .. then went to a two finger plucking style ... then went to the pick ...

I use a fat pick ... the trangular one with rounded corners ... I like derlin it has a little softer sound than plastic ...

Sometimes I will pick part of a song a pluck part ... the pick gives me more attack usually .. the plucking is better for mellower stuff.

plucking is good for blues and jazz ....

I have done entire gigs with a pick and I have done entire gigs without a pick ...

These days I pick mostly ...

Jeff- Great idea for the topic. Do you play guitar with the fat pick or do you prefer a different pick.

Actually when I play guitar ... I sort of invented my own pick years ago ... I take a normal nylon pick and notch the tip ... this way on an acoustic I can get a 12 string sound on a 6 string guitar ... and on an electric I can get those zz top lead string harmonics easier ...

Which brings up an interesting point ... I approach bass as a bass guitar ... not just a bass ... I am playing a guitar ... not just low notes ... it is a big demented, fat stringed, low register guitar ... instead of chords I play notes ... instead of leads I play riffs ... and I get melodic once in a while ...

I guess this is part of the reason I like picks ... I also love that attack ...

I still haven't figured out how to use my pick on the keyboard .... just kidding ...

I take a normal nylon pick and notch the tip ...

It is funny that you mention that, I used the serrated edge of the Landstrom Sharkfin pick on the guitar for that same reason.

On the bass I also use the serrated edge. Just using one of the serrations really makes the note sound clear and defined. 16th notes sound like they are doubled with a guitar (a al bass version of the 12 string effect).

Dragging the serrations across the strings I can get a very Squire-like sound (I use Rotosound roundwounds). Yet with the treble rolled off, this same technique gets me that "wooly-bassy" McCartney tuba sound.

You do have another intersting point worth discussing regarding how you approach the bass.

My approach is as a bassist playing a bass guitar rather then a guitarist doubling on a bass. I think more of melody, lines, counterpoint, time & support before I step out. However your approach has opened up some new ideas for me.

Do you ever feel some of the ideas you play on bass you should be playing on guitar and vice versa? I also open that up to anybody else.

Jeff-If you haven't tried this yet, tape your picks to a drumstick & you should be able to use them on any keyboard

Where do I place my thumb to anchor?

Nowhere. I use the end of my palm near the wrist to anchor my hand onto the pickup cover. There fore, I feel like having an extra finger (the thumb) that's free to move about on the strings or to support my index finger when I do the "imaginary pick" thing. Funny thing about it is that nowadays, whenever I play a different bass after I got my first Ric bass, I place my palm as "anchor" on the body above the E string as if it still had a pickup cover. The Rics made me play a certain way that is effective for me and inherently passed on to the WAY I PLAY. Conversely, maybe some people take away the Ric's rear pickup covers because they may have inherently be wanting to play it like other basses, a F****r maybe - which used to have pickup covers themselves and removed later on BTW.

I use the same 1mm picks on both guitar and bass. Bass is a very separate instrument to me, and is arranged accordingly. It is very much a melody instrument, while at the same time establishing the groove.

If I may put forward a slice of personal philosophy, I feel that F****r basses have ruled this world long enough, and as their empire crumbles, our precious Rickenbackers shall rise as their most fitting successors!
Ha ha! Had you all believing I had gone nuts!
Seriously, though, I think John Panopio does have a point in the last five lines of his post hereabove.