Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

We played an electric set tonight. On the fifth or sixth song I broke the high E string on my 1997SPC/VB (during the first chorus of a song). Well, I had my Epi Elitist Chet Atkins as a backup -and it was up and running by the last chorus. But it wasn't the same. The mojo was not there. The brilliance was not there. And the effortless neck was not there. Don't misunderstand, the Chet is a SUPERB guitar, but it did not compare.

We finished the set and even jammed a bit with some other guys. But it was not as good as it could have been.

Next time I'm taking the 360V64 as a backup.

All the best.
Noel

Effortless neck is personal thing. I'd say as long as the necks were similar, you could keep that mojo going. If I played my SG and had a Rick as a backup, don't think I could keep up the same mojo either!

You're so right Noel. Sorry you had to learn the hard way. I did too.

Also, play 12 strings, so you already have your backup on!

Noel, that's what I came up with too. For me, it's 2 Rick 6-strings and a Rick 12. I haven't even touched a non-Rickenbacker electric for recording in years.

Crikey!

I broke a string on my 650 the night before a gig, broke a string on my 1997RI AT the gig, had no spare strings.

Had to use my strat.

See, that's the problem with them skinny strings!

I always keep 3 or 4 .010's in inventory for that reason!

My primary bass is a Rick, my backup is a Rick, my backup's backup is a Rick, etc...

I agree. I can't really get the same "ringing" sound that I get from my 350 from anything else I own.

My backup is a Rick. Working on a backup for my backup.

I try not to let anyone get my back up, but once in awhile...

I've never broken a string but always have at least one bass as a backup when I am playing a gig.

I use a Burns Marquee S as backup for my 330 and it works a treat. can get something approaching a nice rick jangle and it can also snarl somewhat like the high gains on the ric.
The way my strings get thrashed I need that quickly available backup.
There are people out there who break bass strings?
WOW man thats hardcore!

I tried a Tele bass, then a P as a back up, but wasn't happy with that arrangement.

I used to break an A string a month on any of my basses!

It's pretty awkward, you have to use one finger to hold the string out of the way of the D string while finishing a simplified version of the song using the other three strings, and hope the singer doesn't launch into another song before you can swap basses.

He used to do that all the time, once I had to play THREE more songs in this manner before I could get him to stop!

Do people break bass strings? Ask John Entwhistle about recording "My Generation":

According to Entwistle, his original intention was to feature the distinctive Danelectro bass, which had a very twangy sound, in the solo. During the third recording session(the first two excluded the solo), Entwistle had snapped all of the strings. To his dismay, not one store carried Danelectro strings, forcing him to cough up enough money for a second Danelectro. The fourth ended up the same. According to Entwistle, "As it was decided to press on and record 'My Generation' for a fifth time, I had no alternative but to go out and buy a third Danelectro bass." Eventually, during the fifth session, he recorded a simpler solo using a pick with a Fender Jazz Bass strung with LaBella tapewound strings.

From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Entwistle