Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bass players are just different. They are like an exclusive club of superior musicians who know that they are the driving force behind most bands. In my experience, the MD is usually the bassist, because he's the best musician. Bass is just so much more than playing....it's discipline, timing, holding the 'groove' & so much more that others just don't have to worry about. This is why a good bassist holds so much respect. All I ever wanted to do from age 6 was play bass & I think that most bassists would probably feel the same. Bass guitars are thrilling, exciting & even mystical in their effect on the true bassist.
Unfortunately I have strayed....I play gtr more now, because I HAVE to for band continuity issues. I have 6 Ric gtrs which I truly love, but it's my 4003 that gets the pat on the headstock everytime I pass it! I am just thankfull that a Rickenbacker guitar has all the individualism & stunning sound quality that their basses have, which enables me to embrace them with equal enthusiasm.

Luckily for me in my band situation with just one guitarist and a drummer there is a need for me to branch out a little more than there might be if there were two guitar players. I have to fill a void and help things to sound more full (especially during guitar solos) so I get to work in chords and fills along with some overdriven tone to fatten things up.
I've always wanted to play bass....never really considered anything else. I enjoy just playing what I need to in a song to make the band sound better....whether it's me playing root notes or harmonizing during a lead it's all a total blast !

I like three piece bands also, most of mine are, lets you stretch a bit.

Other than a jazz band, All I ever played in was a 3 piece band. Like brian said, that's when you have to do more to make the band sound full, especially during guitar solos.

I've been playing in mostly three piece bands for 35 years. A good full sound and playing tight with the drummer is what makes a band sound full, not a lot of notes.

I've collected Rick guitars for years, joined the forum a few months back. Started following the flurry of Rick bass threads religiously to find out what all the hub-bub was about. Caught several glimpses of Rick basses when forumites posted pix. Fell in love with several members FG's, asked a few questions on what to look for and then drove to Seattle today to pick up this BABY (1968)today. Thanks to the friendly and helpful folk here I am now enjoying my new favorite bass. Again, thanks to this great forum and all you bass maniacs...

Bob, I agree wholeheartly, not all bassists, and not all Ric bassists are "lead" bassists. I'm more than happy working the pocket and groove with my drummer.

My original comment was more that we're much more particular about our instruments, our choice, and how we eventually sound in the mix.

You make an intersting point though about 3 piece bands, if you're in a 3-piece as a bass player you're definatley working.

Ron ..... that's one gorgeous Rickenbacker, and Fireglo to boot .... awsome !!!!

Ron is that the one with the new pickup? Really nice shape.
Jim, I've always liked three piece bands, it just seems to work out that way for some reason.

Ron, that is a beaut. Really nice.

I'm in a three piece Blues band, there's scope to stand out on the occasional song ... John Lee Hooker's, Boom Boom, comes over very well in Ric-O-Growl, as does Mojo Working ... I even use a pick on a few !!!

I got a few raised eyebrows first time I showed up with my v63 though.

That photo shows off the old-skool fireglo more appealingly than any other I've seen. Beautiful.

Bob, Yeah, apparently it's a Lollar pickup with custom "H-shoe thin mint" magnets.

Jim, Bob and John; Thanks for your nice comments, I'm stoked!

Jim I play blues also with Rics, except I use flats. I got a lot of raised eyebrows when I first started bringing them to blues jams, until they heard them that is. Then I got a lot of compliments.

I've tried and tried, and then tried again with flats, I just don't like the tone. I gave Bob Scott the ones I tried and he loves them on his c64.

Ron, it goes without saying that if you ever need to find a good home for your new baby feel free to contact me.

That '68 is ridiculously fantastic. Congrats on snagging such a fine piece of art. It's truly exceptional.