Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just bought my first bass, a v63. I'm looking for opinions of which amp brings out the RIC sound best. Are there any amps to stay away from? Looking for something adequate (100-200 watts)for small venues, garage gigs, or home recording. I'm considering an Ampeg combo, any thoughts?
Also, any modifications for the v63, you might suggest?

Jim,

Your ears are sole arbiter to determine which amp will best fit your needs.

However, tube amps deliver richer tones than solid state ones.

Best wishes for Christmas,

Jean

Agreed it is a matter of personal taste. There are lots of great amps. It depends on whether you're gigging or not. As I do pretty much every week I have arrived at the following criteria:
1. Use a DI, even on smaller gigs to help fill out the sound.
2. A good solid state head in a road case (I use a GK 800RB) is dependable and LIGHT.
3. A good 4X10 (or even 2X10) should do the job for any gig (provided you're observing #1).
Consistent and quality sound, portability are the
keys. If I just practiced at somebody's house I'd probably have an Ampeg V4B or SVT (if I never had to move it. Ever).

You mention Ampeg... and Chuck mentions a 4x10..
I have played for years with an old Yamaha 2x 15. nice sound but pain in the *** heavy and big.. I recently purchased an Ampeg 4x10.. nice size, fits any car situation and is not too heavy.. after a few weeks with it, I am very pleased. Versatile. The amp I use is an old Yamaha B100 with equalizer.. very punchy.. alot of power for it's 100 watts and ox strong... playing it since 84 or so. CHEERS!

JIM,

PORTAFLEX B-15N. THE NEW MODEL HAS A LOW WATT SETTING, BUT A HIGH WATT PRICE...

IF YA TAKE APART YOUR HORSESHOE-I'LL BUY YOUR 'SHOES'.

Hi all new member just saying hi.
I play my 82 JetGlo 4003 through Ampeg gear.
It just seems like a perfect match for the ultimate tone!

Hi, I'm a new fella, too :^)

I have 4001V63, and I run mine thru my SansAmp BDDI into my Fender Bassman 400. Sounds fantastic! This is THE best sounding Rick ever built! ;^)


http://www.ampcast.com/entrylevel]Dan's music site; melodic, ethereal rock and more! :^)

I run my 2001- 4003s/5 MG (an awesome bass!) through a Hartke 200w head, a Carvin 2x10, and (no name brand) 1x15 bass cabnet- *Warning* (((Lots of BASS)))with floor shaking notes on the low B. Sounds great...

I play all my Ricks through a 100 watt Ampeg BA-115SP combo. That's the amp with the 15 pre-selected effects. I don't use half of them, but I just love the sound coming out of an Ampeg amp.

I currently use a Hartke 3500 for an amp, but I switch speakers from time to time. I have two Eden cabinets (2X10 and 1x15) but I also have an older JBL 15" and a 2X10 SWR which sound somewhat warmer and work great for studio stuff. Back in 'the day' I had an Ampeg V4-B with the BIG 2X15 cabinet(same size as an SVT 8X10)--it wailed man, but it was heavy as all get out. I hauled it around in a 1970 Country Squire!!! Rock on.

I love using my Rick with a 4x10" cabinet. Currently I'm using an old Fender Bassman 135 with an Ampeg 410HE cab. I also use a Fender Studio bass amp with a ElectroVoice 15". I have used these two amps at a few gigs with Rick-O-Sound and my old 4001 and it ROCKS!

I play my 4003 through an Ampeg BA-112 50 watts. I use a BOSS GEB-7 Bass EQ as my only pedal, and this setup rocks. Great RIC tone. I posted this on another thread ("Covering The Basses", some of you Bass Players should post there!) but I play with some guys from work, and I've never had to punch the amp's volume past 3 with this setup, and my tone cuts through beautifully. Love that RIC tone. Someday I hope to get a SVT setup, but I don't really need one now.

Trace Elliot AH 500x, Aguilar/qsc, 2 Trace 410, 1 PV 412. I've had better luck with the 4003's than the 4001's for over all use.

Peavey Classic 400 (tube) with 2 Peavey 410TXF 8 ohm cabinets. I set up the "Crunch" channel for my 4001 and use the "Clean" channel for my StringRay5. It's a bit of a pig to move around (100lbs for the head alone) but it's worth it!
Cheers

Using a Walter Woods Ultra Hi-power amp. This is driving a Euphonic Audio VL-210 4 ohm cab. I am extremely happy with this set-up.