Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Since I have been involved with the Rickenbacker guitar newsgroup, a decade ago, there have been several formats and a growing number of forums that have allowed us to discuss Rickenbacker instruments. As I began to collect information with regard to Rickenbackers, I made the casual observation that the number of people flocking to discuss basses has made all of the other Rickenbacker topics pale by comparison.

The bass topic posts on the RickResource Forum are nearly quadruple those of the closest rival topic. I am interested in your thoughts as to why there is so much more action with regard to the discussion of basses compared to any other instrument? The Register has basses and 6 strings almost neck and neck. So are bass players just more enthusiasts than the rest? Do Rickenbacker basses play a relatively greater role in live performances than do Rickenbacker guitars?

i've noticed that too. i think it has something to do with the versatility of the basses. the basses show up in more styles of music that the 6stringers do, at least from my experience.

plus, the basses look a helluva lot cooler!

*shrug*

Don't ask me, I'm just the bass player

Seriously, I think even though the basses and guitars are neck and neck ,I think there are probably more bass players here than guitarists as guitarists more often own multiple instruments-hence less guitarists. At least I think this is true in the non-Ric world-maybe not here though. Maybe I'm a rarity here-owning only one Rick. I also think that more of us were captivated by the Rick bass sound in our younger, impressionable years vs the Rick guitar sound. I know, I'm reaching here-I guess I'm as clueless as you! Please, no arrow slinging here-I mean no offense to the six and twelve stringers out there.

Ever try to get a bass player to be quiet?

Bass players are more open minded?

I think it like Sean said, that the basses have been accepted into more styles of music than the guitars have.

Abbott you are in the minority here. Most of the bassists here have 2 or more Ricks and basses from other manuafacturers.

I like the versatility argument. It may be that the bass tonality (compared to guitar tone) may fit in better with more types of music as Phlemmy has suggested. The 6 string tonality may be considered to be more specific and for this reason may not be chosen for some styles of music. So perhaps the bass is a more universal tone.

Further, the artist affiliation with Rickenbackers might also be a factor. I would never want to limit the impact of guitarists with regard to popularizing Rickenbackers, but let's just say that the trio of Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, and Chris Squire might have had the edge over famous guitarists when it comes to popularizing Rickenbackers.

Still further, what is the cross-over of ownership for Rickenbacker guitars and basses. Are there more guitarists who have basses or bassists who have guitars. I would argue the former, hence we have more guitar players visiting this forum, talking bass and bothering you with questions such as I have.

Lemmy has also had a role in making the RIC basses popular too

I have two theories:

1. Lead guitar players get all the chicks.
2. Bass players are more amiable (think placating the two guitarists) - thus we like to talk.

Josh: Yes Lemmy too. I didn't mean to exclude any famous bass player or guitarist for that matter.

Im down to 8 basses currently,,,, 4 of which are Rickenbackers.

Peter, I had a GREAT response, but I accidentally hit the BACK button again and LOST it all!

I have a few ideas......

1) Less strings to play, more time to write on the forum.

OR

2) It SEEMS that the guitarists are a more "thinking" group while the bassists I know are more of a "feeling" group. And NO, I don't mean it THAT way! The guitar guys are thinking about what to write, the bassists just jump right in and post. That is how I always get in trouble.

OR

3) The guitarists have all the work, the bassists are sitting at home posting on the forum. DUCKS AND RUNS!

OR lastly,

4) You can't teach a guitarist anything, they know it all...while we bassists are here helping each other out by posting helpful hints on the forum. DUCKS AND RUNS.....AGAIN!

But in truth, #2 (for me) holds water. When we are working out a difficult song, I hear "lets think about this, what if we try...." or "If I try to work this out, I can play (insert chord) instead of (insert chord). ME? I just say "lets just play it and see what happens"! The guitarists are busy trying to figure out the CORRECT chords to play..

One more in closing.....

(5) When they guitarists are playing C7#11 , I'm playing "C" so I have more time to post on the forum.

Band flakes in order, at least in my experience.

1. drummer
2. Female lead singer
3. Male lead singer
4. lead guitar
5. keyboard
6. rythm guitar
7. bassist

As you can see, we are the most stable of bandmates! We have to talk amongst ourselves to get in a decent conversation!!!!!

I think it has been said already but here goes... The rick bass is the master of all music styles where as the rick guitar seems to generally be a 60's rock and roll type of thing (not many rock guitarist's would use one of there guitars as most I have spoke to quite frankly say they are cr4p).
On the other hand the bass's were designed to play 60's stuff (I think) but have ended up being the best bass in the world for rock music too.
My humble opinion only but I know I only prefer to play one of my ric's over anything else (its a love affair once you have owned your first ric bass and then the collection starts)

The basses are bigger so they require more discussion right?