Yes Rob, I did say soundwise. I know they are visually different. I still think the horseshoe factor is far more a visual thing than a sounding one.
After learning to play on a Ric with horseshoes, and I too play in front of it most of the time, I have found I prefer them without.
As ever, each to his own..
New Horseshoe pups may be available soon?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
According to lore, the HS p/up in Paul's bass would not re-charge when an attempt was made to do so while the bass was back for going-over at Rickenbacker in the early 70s. A high-gain was custom-wound and installed as an alternative. As to whether the p/up in the bass now is a real HS or a V-Series type, I have no knowledge at present.
I had to raise the horseshoe pick up on my C64 to even get close to my V63's shoe. I run all the way up on the C while I have the V's only about three quarters up. The C sounds great, just not as strong as the V is. I've at least got it in the ballpark though. The tone controls on the C64 have a lot more treble in them than the V63 too. I can't set them as high as the V63's because it gets too clanky sounding. It would probably sound great on my stage rig, but I have to watch it on my pracitce amp.
As for Maccas newer shoe, I agree it's more than likely a V63 shoe. It would be closer to the high gain that was put in before. Those things are powerful.
As for Maccas newer shoe, I agree it's more than likely a V63 shoe. It would be closer to the high gain that was put in before. Those things are powerful.
I recently went back to playing a Rickenbacker bass. Its like meeting an old friend again
Maybe Paul got used to the high gain without the shoes in the way, and he seldom plays it now that the shoes are back because of that. Don't the horseshoes add considerable weight? I know he's commented on the Rick being a heavy bass in the past, and he's no spring chicken... or maybe he doesn't use the Rick because it's so identified with his 70's Wings period, and he seems much more willing to associate himself with his Beatles heritage now as opposed to Wings. My guess is he feels the fans don't really give a damn visually about any bass he has used other than the Hofner, it's only a bass-geek concern.
I don't know, it could be just me. But, my first RIC was my 1995 CS. My second was a 2005 Monty 4003. I'm so taken with my CS, the Monty (dubbed QUEEN MONTY thanks Mike C!) has less than an hour on her and as of this point in time, has now become a case queen, hence the name.
Yes, there are other issues like the MONTY having a MUCH fatter neck than my CS, but the sound pales in comparison. It just doesn't compare.
Possibly because the CS was my first RIC, and now I just compare all to her, I just don't know. My CS was also my first QUALITY bass. Before her, I played the really cheap stuff.
My search then began to find a CS alternative, one I could use without worrying about damaging her. I thought the V63 would fit the bill, but I just couldn't find one for a VERY long time. Instead, I kept trying other RICS to try to find that 4001CS sound and feel.
I tried a 1979 4001 & a 1993 4003. Nope, NONE of them came close to my CS. While each had their own special qualities, they just didn't do it.
It wasn't until I actually got my 1988 V63 that I was a happy camper. The sound is LOUDER and clearer than my standard 4001 & 4003 basses. It just has that FEEL and SOUND I was after.
Now, the 4001 & the 1993 4003 are or is soon to be history. My main axe is my V63.
I guess the point I'm getting to is that I HAVE to attribute it to the HS pickup. So much so, that IF and WHEN Ric decides to release them, QUEEN MONTY will DEFINITELY get a HS,and probably a toaster for good measure, no doubt!
I think they are perfect for pick playing, as I rest my hand right on top. As for finger playing, I kind of float up and down all over the place, but am most at home up high on or above the toaster, so the HS isn't an issue. I guess I'm in the minority, but I HAVE to have the pickup cover on my all my RIC basses! I feel lost without it!
To each his own, that is why RIC makes different basses. It’s just that I'm so hooked on the HS, be it real or imagined, that I don't want to use anything else on my RIC basses.
C'mon Mr. Hall, "if you build it (or should I say, SELL IT) they will come"!
Yes, there are other issues like the MONTY having a MUCH fatter neck than my CS, but the sound pales in comparison. It just doesn't compare.
Possibly because the CS was my first RIC, and now I just compare all to her, I just don't know. My CS was also my first QUALITY bass. Before her, I played the really cheap stuff.
My search then began to find a CS alternative, one I could use without worrying about damaging her. I thought the V63 would fit the bill, but I just couldn't find one for a VERY long time. Instead, I kept trying other RICS to try to find that 4001CS sound and feel.
I tried a 1979 4001 & a 1993 4003. Nope, NONE of them came close to my CS. While each had their own special qualities, they just didn't do it.
It wasn't until I actually got my 1988 V63 that I was a happy camper. The sound is LOUDER and clearer than my standard 4001 & 4003 basses. It just has that FEEL and SOUND I was after.
Now, the 4001 & the 1993 4003 are or is soon to be history. My main axe is my V63.
I guess the point I'm getting to is that I HAVE to attribute it to the HS pickup. So much so, that IF and WHEN Ric decides to release them, QUEEN MONTY will DEFINITELY get a HS,and probably a toaster for good measure, no doubt!
I think they are perfect for pick playing, as I rest my hand right on top. As for finger playing, I kind of float up and down all over the place, but am most at home up high on or above the toaster, so the HS isn't an issue. I guess I'm in the minority, but I HAVE to have the pickup cover on my all my RIC basses! I feel lost without it!
To each his own, that is why RIC makes different basses. It’s just that I'm so hooked on the HS, be it real or imagined, that I don't want to use anything else on my RIC basses.
C'mon Mr. Hall, "if you build it (or should I say, SELL IT) they will come"!
"Freedom of expression is important, but I have learned that people want to know how much you care before they care how much you know."
The only time a bass player gets noticed is when he stops playing.
The only time a bass player gets noticed is when he stops playing.
Philip:
You got it, if she goes, I'll post it in the forum.
The 4001 is gone, and another forum member will be getting the 1993 4003MG.
The problem with the QUEEN is that she was a Christmas gift from my wife & kids. Every time I ask the Mrs. if they would be upset if I sold her, being I don't use it, I get that "this is why I never buy you a bass for a gift" look. Not to mention the "if you sell it you will NEVER get another bass as a gift either" face.
So, she is destined to sit here until the kids go to college or until I can go with the HS mod!
You got it, if she goes, I'll post it in the forum.
The 4001 is gone, and another forum member will be getting the 1993 4003MG.
The problem with the QUEEN is that she was a Christmas gift from my wife & kids. Every time I ask the Mrs. if they would be upset if I sold her, being I don't use it, I get that "this is why I never buy you a bass for a gift" look. Not to mention the "if you sell it you will NEVER get another bass as a gift either" face.
So, she is destined to sit here until the kids go to college or until I can go with the HS mod!
"Freedom of expression is important, but I have learned that people want to know how much you care before they care how much you know."
The only time a bass player gets noticed is when he stops playing.
The only time a bass player gets noticed is when he stops playing.
All my Ricks play, sound, and feel a little different to me. My '01 Fireglo is my favorite.
Why??? I dunno, cant put my finger on it. I just like it best. Plays the best, sets up the best, sounds the best to my ears. And Im sure that theirs other Ricks out there that I would like even more. And if I didnt have it, Id have gotten used to one of the others just as easily.
I dont really know what Im trying to say here, but all Ricks are unique in feel, sound. You get that with handmade instruments.
I dont care how many Ricks a person owns, there will always be "one" that seems to be better than the others.
Why??? I dunno, cant put my finger on it. I just like it best. Plays the best, sets up the best, sounds the best to my ears. And Im sure that theirs other Ricks out there that I would like even more. And if I didnt have it, Id have gotten used to one of the others just as easily.
I dont really know what Im trying to say here, but all Ricks are unique in feel, sound. You get that with handmade instruments.
I dont care how many Ricks a person owns, there will always be "one" that seems to be better than the others.
"Knowledge is Power"
Too true Scott. All the ones I've owned (in fact all the ones I've played) have been very different. No 2 have really sounded exactly alike (although many have felt similar), except for possibly my 2 CSs, and a Dec 72 which was amazingly similar to my 72. But in my experience (and I guess this could be just be the wood and not the pickup) I've not heard a 4003 that sounds as good to my ears as a V63 or CS. (Although I've heard the odd 4001 that sounds better than either IMHO..).
A friend of mine was disappointed when he brought his brand new 4003 round and played it against the 4 Ricks I had at the time (72 4001, 73 4000, 91 CS and 98 V63), because we both thought the other basses sounded far superior. Although his 4003 does do a better "modern" bass sound than any of mine. Unfortunately he was after more of a ratty 70s 4001 sound...
A friend of mine was disappointed when he brought his brand new 4003 round and played it against the 4 Ricks I had at the time (72 4001, 73 4000, 91 CS and 98 V63), because we both thought the other basses sounded far superior. Although his 4003 does do a better "modern" bass sound than any of mine. Unfortunately he was after more of a ratty 70s 4001 sound...
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."