Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

wints wrote:
Shaun...Actually, by time he gets to B&W he's gone to the black P bass, and it's just the same as the green one for me. Rattus is the defining sound for me.

There's so much scope for an all round sound today from various basses/amps, it does become almost a visual issue rather than a sonic one in many ways. Saying that, if your looking to reproduce a specific sound then going back to the original just makes the most sense for most...and that's probably the way it's always going to be.

I realise that he's on the black bass then Andy, but the album is my favourite Stranglers album, with Rattus a close 2nd.

I second the other comments though!

jps wrote:

59jazz wrote:I play americana, blues and folk rock, my main gig is contemporary praise music....my new MG 4003 equipped with a Wilder vintage harness and Dunlop Bright Nickels...is my "go to" bass.

Thanks for that Jeffrey, I also hadn't seen that clip, with the Rick bass in full view, very cool!
I saw Roy in 1984 at a club I worked at in Houston Texas, never saw such security like he had there, but he was not a well man at that time...

You know the Animals are not very far off from Northern Soul in particular. Yet it was cool for Chas to use a Gibson bass and the guitar player to use a Rose Morris Rickenbacker.

I guess my question would be is that assuming your new group has an organist--which it should in this genre--does s/he use a Hammond organ? Or at least a Vox Continental?

I thought so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8M1MpkozJQ

PS - here is what I meant about Eric Burdon having full on soul credentials. Introduced by Otis Redding on top of that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQknxjce3_Q

henry5 wrote:

wints wrote:
Shaun...Actually, by time he gets to B&W he's gone to the black P bass, and it's just the same as the green one for me. Rattus is the defining sound for me.

There's so much scope for an all round sound today from various basses/amps, it does become almost a visual issue rather than a sonic one in many ways. Saying that, if your looking to reproduce a specific sound then going back to the original just makes the most sense for most...and that's probably the way it's always going to be.

I realise that he's on the black bass then Andy, but the album is my favourite Stranglers album, with Rattus a close 2nd.

I second the other comments though!

Knew where you were coming from Shaun! I meant to say its NOT the same as the green bass tone for me...as we were discussing said tone!

I had never seen JJ playing a rosewood fretboard P bass! Every concert footage I had seen was him playing the **** out of his maple neck/fretboard black P bass. Funny, my first Strangler gig, first of 12-14, was in a tiny club in my hometown. Supporting the Raven tour. I was in high school but my brother-in-law knew the club owner. I bought my ticket from him and I slipped right passed the bouncers at the door. i must have been 15 or 16. Stood with in inches of JJ, transfixed on his playing style and the gear he was using The truck containing their gear was stolen later that night or the next day. i often wondered what became of his worn P bass or Hugh's beat up telecaster. For me the first first 4 albums were quite defining in my musical taste. Their lyrics and music were a huge influence on me and I still listen to their songs. i just wish I had all the great fotos of the shows I saw. Drank beer with them in NYC after a friend I & I sneaked into their sound check. Dave, Jett and JJ were very nice, Hugh was quite aloof and a bit of a dick. Still, he signed an autograph for me, after swiping one of my beers. They kinda lost me when Men-n-black at le Folie were released.

Sepp

Kopfjaeger wrote:I had never seen JJ playing a rosewood fretboard P bass! Every concert footage I had seen was him playing the **** out of his maple neck/fretboard black P bass. Funny, my first Strangler gig, first of 12-14, was in a tiny club in my hometown. Supporting the Raven tour. I was in high school but my brother-in-law knew the club owner. I bought my ticket from him and I slipped right passed the bouncers at the door. i must have been 15 or 16. Stood with in inches of JJ, transfixed on his playing style and the gear he was using The truck containing their gear was stolen later that night or the next day. i often wondered what became of his worn P bass or Hugh's beat up telecaster. For me the first first 4 albums were quite defining in my musical taste. Their lyrics and music were a huge influence on me and I still listen to their songs. i just wish I had all the great fotos of the shows I saw. Drank beer with them in NYC after a friend I & I sneaked into their sound check. Dave, Jett and JJ were very nice, Hugh was quite aloof and a bit of a dick. Still, he signed an autograph for me, after swiping one of my beers. They kinda lost me when Men-n-black at le Folie were released.

Sepp

He used to have a habit of hitting his basses to get them to ring; he's said he did it one too many times on the green bass (a '62?) and split the body. He then went to the black bass, which he said is extremely heavy, then through Yamaha, Steinberger and Wal, then I believe back to the black P. Eventually he tired of the weight & for several years now he's used P bass-type basses custom built by English luthier John Shuker.

henry5 wrote:He used to have a habit of hitting his basses to get them to ring;

I did something similar for a song a friend wrote years ago. Starting at around 3:20 is a shimmering/ringing part that pans back and forth across the stereo field. I did that with the 4005WB by tapping/hitting the back of the bass all over the neck and body. The main bass parts were also with the 4005WB.

.you've got a Fender as well right?', 'A P Bass is the sound we need, so and so the last guy played a P'. I was a bit taken aback, I've never been in a situation where my choice of instrument was being dictated to me!

Going back to the original post in this thread, I have to say if the band won't let you play the Rickenbacker, find another band. Or insist on playing the Ric when you so desire... Stick to your guns. With so many tone options these days (pedals and amps) you can dial in what you need
with a Rickenbacker bass. (4001v63 is a awesome choice) I do play a Fender, but it has to be a jazz bass. Or jazz style bass. I prefer a (frankenFender 70's P bass maple fingerboard neck with a 60's style Jazz Bass Body) I do play my Fender as much as my Rickenbackers, but because it feels good and a nice change for a particular song.