Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been listening to the Brubeck Brothers album "Classified" and on the song "Heyoke" at about 3:00 Chris takes a solo on his highly modified Ric Fretless.
Unb elieveable. It's absolutely the MOST uprightish sound I've yet heard from any electric bass player, regardless of what bass is being played. I'd have thought that a Turner Ren fretless or a Rob Allen would have nailed it, but this blew me away

Of course, the other option would be to use an upright.

My Rick Turner RB4FL sounds nothing like an upright bass, but then, no other bass made sounds like it either!

I'm trying to develop that sound on my electric. I also play around on Classical guitar, but I lack the funds, the time, and the desire to get into the world of upright bass..although I will say this...nothing, to my ears, even comes close to the sound of Ray Brown, or Ron Carter, or NHOP, or Stanley Clarke when they are doing their thing on the doghouse.
Chris has the best EBG sound I've yet encountered, and it's my new standard to work against. I've a long ways to go, but it's always nice having a good standard to work against

I can appreciate that, but to say "that sound" is a bit of a misnomer. Consider the gut string tone of a Chambers or a Mingus relative to the deep growl of George Mraz or the midrange braaahww of NHOP or the snap of Christian McBride. Sure, there are commonalities, but there's also as many differences as there are in electric bass tones.

You are absolutely right though; Chris Brubeck gets to that sound. A big part of that is the fretless configuration. A huge part of "upright tone" is based on stopping the notes against wood and using vibrato to shape the notes.

I love Chris Brubeck; check out the Triple Play CD where they cover "Take Five"--amazing bass solo! And yes, I think his tone is a great deal more like what is thought of as "upright bass" tone than what a lot of fretless players get. Either way I think he sounds amazing.

I bought Classified on this implicit recommendation (and others) and I'm really enjoying it. Is all of the bass Chris's 4001FL? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it were (sure sounds like it), but I also don't know if he uses others. Either way it's quite an album and I'm glad you made this thread. Chris Brubeck really needs to get his name tossed around way more often.

Correct me if I am wrong please....
I believe that

A Chris Brubeck Plays only a modified Ric 4003fretless with labella black nylon tapewounds...don't have a clue about effects or amplification
B Chris Brubeck's primary instrument is Trombone...not bass
C Chris Brubeck is also a composer and arranger of some note
D The bugger sings whilst playing his FL Ric..and plays amazing bass lines at the same time...in tune, on time, and deep, deep in the pocket

check out this video..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EySQ2ei1NTA

I wouldn't say trombone > bass for Chris, but he does seem very well equipped at both. I don't know what Chris "Himself" would tell you about it. And knowing his roots he probably does write and arrange, didn't he write some of the stuff for Triple Play and Brubeck Bros?

He definitely sings while playing FL and soloing, catch his solo on "Take Five" from the Triple Play record. Good grief!

Super sweet. And that settles it! I'm getting some labella flats for my custom fretless...Now!

with gauges of
0.060
0.070
0.094
0.115
you'll likely need to file open the nut slots a bit.

Also, would the normal length set be OK for Rick, or would one need the XL set?

Geez, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I just heard Brubeck's sound and wanted it immediately. I also played a Rob Allen mb-2 fretless with the labellas. It sounded so freakin tasty.

FretlessOnly wrote:Also, would the normal length set be OK for Rick, or would one need the XL set?

Should be fine as Rics run 33.25'' vs the normal 34''.