Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The only problem with slapping a Rick is that you have to be careful not to hit the pole pieces of the neck pickup. This will produce a sound like a gunshot, which can be a little unpleasant to say the least.

I slap the 4000 like a red-headed stepchild though. Sounds great.

I was not impressed by Stanley Clarke's slap solo. So he set the upright with the lightest gauge strings and a ridiculously low action, then he makes noises which at some points, let's admit it, are not very musical. With the light strings and the low action, the sound is horrible. And when he plays melodic lines, he's so out of tune it hurts.

The "noises" you refer to are called "ghost" notes. Its a percussive effect. The next time you see someone doing a slap solo, notice the left hand, it probably wont be doing much, as the key to slapping lies in the picking hand. And the "ghost notes" or "dead notes" are a big part of the technique.

I saw Stanley in Columbus at the "Newport" back in the late '80's or early '90's.

I was stunned. The man is a serious talent.

With chops like Stanley's I almost feel like I can't criticise. A serious talent is right. But I agree with Ilan that the actual tone from the set-up he has on that upright is not very musical.

Well if you don’t like Stanley, I’m sure you wont like Vic. Two of my favs!

They do make it seem so simple!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw8ytGHTbNc&search=wooten

If you want to slap a Rick, get a 4004

"my impression is that the 4001/3 bridge isn't really designed well enough to handle that sort of pounding regularly"

The hipshot bridge would lend itself well to slapping I would think, it;s very beefy.

I admire people who can slap, because I can't. It sounds cool but the type of music I play doesn't call for that technique.

I'd much rather listen to Victor or Marcus than Stanley. I find them to me more melodic and fun to listen to.

"my impression is that the 4001/3 bridge isn't really designed well enough to handle that sort of pounding regularly"

I've been slapping on my Rics and pounding away on 'em for 20 years and I've had no issues with the bridge.

Thanks for that Victor video, Andy. I find his playing so good it goes beyond inspirational - into depressing territory!

Its all comes down to showmanship right???

there is nothing about the Ric bridge which would inhibit slap bass playing ... but the mechanical mute gets in the way of pic players trying to palm mute ... and pickup covers restrict access to the strings ...

Quote - 'I'd much rather listen to Victor or Marcus than Stanley. I find them to me more melodic and fun to listen to.'

Just goes to show, because I find it's the opposite way round....

Victor is nothing short of phenomenal. He calls the shots, whereas with most - if not all - of us it is the bass guitar callings the shots. Go, Vic, go!!

"Just goes to show, because I find it's the opposite way round...."

Yup. If we all liked the same stuff, the record stores would be a lot smaller.