Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

guitfiddle wrote:Whenever I get grief about playing blues on my 4003 (which is rare) I pull out my 4004L. That shuts 'em up very time. That is one dark sounding bass!

I don't understand why you get grief for that. Last week I was with a few SoCal forumites, having some fun jamming. Before we got into some actual songs we got into a bit of a blues jam. I was using my 4001S, which has a very bright tone, even with dead tired strings. With the right eq and tone set, there were no objections or grief about the "blues tone" of my 4001S.

...I was with a few SoCal forumites...

I could be wrong but that could account for the lack of disdain.

I personally think the Ric bass is one of the most malleable sounds going. Fat to thin it is capable of all kinds of modes and tones. Stick with what you want - and welcome to the forum Mark. .

rickfan60 wrote:

...I was with a few SoCal forumites...

I could be wrong but that could account for the lack of disdain.

We just know how to use our RIC instruments!

If the Black Crowes count as blues (several of their songs are bluesy), I used my 4003 in a Black Crowes cover band for a few months to GREAT success--if enthusiastic audience response equals success. The band itself dissipated for other reasons.

Also, I am sometimes the house bassist for a couple of blues jam groups sometimes, and I use the same 4003 there. I get a lot of respect from those old cats, which must mean something!

Lots of bottom and lots of groove. I ousted a gal with a Steinberger and a guy with a Fender Jazz in those blues bands, whatever that tells you.

ram wrote:I personally think the Ric bass is one of the most malleable sounds going. Fat to thin it is capable of all kinds of modes and tones. Stick with what you want - and welcome to the forum Mark. .

+1, I don't know why this isn't more widely accepted, it came as plain fact to me with my first 4003.

I've been playing blues and blues based rock on a Rick for 27 years now, and now that the .0047 cap is gone there is no bass tone I'd rather hear on this type of music than that of a Rick.

I've gone to blues gigs or auditions and had some s$$hat say 'where's your F•nder?" I consider them to be posers no different than some wannabe 'N Sync.

I think the reason most of the old blues tunes featured Fenders was based on the fact there was little else in the 50s or 60s unless it was played on an upright.With some amp tweaks and the cap switched off,I like the sound I get.As I said before,I am amazed at the ease in playability of the 4001.Anyone got any tips for flatwounds that will not cause any neck issues?The flatwounds seem to alleviate finger noise on my backup,I figure they may help the tone on the Ric.Sorry if some of what I am asking has been covered before,but you have all been very helpful.

Mark, welcome aboard! There has been MUCH discussion covering flats, so the best advice is to read and see - many great inputs as to why they like what they play too.

http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/sear ... +&start=15

rickenbrother wrote:

guitfiddle wrote:Whenever I get grief about playing blues on my 4003 (which is rare) I pull out my 4004L. That shuts 'em up very time. That is one dark sounding bass!

I don't understand why you get grief for that. Last week I was with a few SoCal forumites, having some fun jamming. Before we got into some actual songs we got into a bit of a blues jam. I was using my 4001S, which has a very bright tone, even with dead tired strings. With the right eq and tone set, there were no objections or grief about the "blues tone" of my 4001S.

I meant that too many people think that that the 4001/4003 is for Prog, Punk, and Brit Pop only . They forget that the Rick 4000 series had it's beginnings in very rootsy American music. Some blues bands expect you to pull out a beat up old Fender every time. I think it's more of an image thing.

guitfiddle wrote:Some blues bands expect you to pull out a beat up old Fender every time. I think it's more of an image thing.

This is the answer to ANYBODY trying to explain why a certain brand bass is better for a certain genre. Any respectable instrument can be used in any setting as long as the player is of basic skill. Geddy Lee proves this--he got basically the same tone on four or five radically different basses.

Any time someone gives someone else grief for their choice of instrument, I lose a lot of respect for the grief-giver, had there been any.