Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Pic posted in the DudePit: link to pic link to thread

Yeah, we had a discussion about it here last summer or spring, I think, based on the same photo. The question is, did he use it to RECORD "Thank You . . . ", generally recognized as the first pop recording using the slap style of playing. If was done on the 4005, that would be notable and something for my book.

Those outfits do not look dated at all.....

It is a WB and the pickguard was customized somewhat. Perhaps for slap-n-pop?

The question is, did he use it to RECORD "Thank You . . . ", generally recognized as the first pop recording using the slap style of playing. If was done on the 4005, that would be notable and something for my book.

Maybe that would finally put the myth that "you can't slap on a Rick" to rest!

They'd have to change it to, "Slap was INVENTED on a Ric!"

Well even if Graham did not use the rick on "thank you" you can always listen to Les Claypool slapping on a rick on Gov't mule's "Greasy Granny" he used a 4001 that once belonged to Geddy Lee. He got it from Alex Lifeson.

Boy talk about playing an instrument with a pedigry.

Jaymi Millard slapped and popped on a RIC over the phone to me one day. It was pretty cool.

I used to do a lot of slapping on my Ric's in the 80's and 90's. I've had alot of people come up to me and say "I didn't know you could slap a Ric." Sound better slapping than my P bass.

I took a listen to "Thank You" and judging from the tone he got, it's entirely plausible that he indeed used his 4005 on that recording since it doesn't sound a thing like his Fender Jazz.

The differences between the tone on "Thank you" and the one on for example "Dance to the music" or "Hair" (on both recordings you can clearly make out that typical Jazz Bass sound) are striking. So while the verdict is still out, I still say that there's a good possibility that the 4005 wasn't just a prop but the actual bass used on the recording.

Say, did any of you guys noticed that "Thank you" was sampled in Janet Jackson's song "Rythmnation"?

Sounds like it could be the treble pickup on the 4005.

I've always wondered what that bass was because it never sounded like a Fender to me. I never would have guessed it was a 4005. How could it be confirmed, I wonder?

By asking Larry Graham himself.

I thought of that yesterday and tried a cursory Google search for him but there is apparently no official LG website. The name is reserved but no site resides there yet. Perhaps someone here knows him or knows how to find him.

I know he was touring with Prince for a few years, I saw him open some shows about 2-3 years ago. He was awesome!