4003FL and its 'upright' tone

[Rickenhands]

So, I don't yet own a 4003FL (soon will), but I've read through this forum quite a bit and see many references to the earlier 4000 models having a very nice "upright-like" tone. I've played upright since 1984, and I'm curious to know more about this. What gives it that tone? I'm also curious to know if the newer 4003FLs (with the vintage push/pull) also possess the same tasty traits I've read about the earlier Ric models (4001s, mostly).

Please, fretless friends, share your Rickenbacker fretless bass knowledge. Thanks and Peace.

[cassius987]

Here's a clip of me on my 4003FL/Brite Flats just wankin' away to the tune of "So What", it's awfully sloppy but here you go (click the "Pseudo-upright" song):

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... dID=816857

I wouldn't say it's truly upright like, but it shares some qualities of the tone, especially when the technique is right. Take it for what you will.

I think my 4001FL has a lot of potential for this kind of tone as well but I can't record it because I'm still sorting stuff out with the electronics (there's a short on the bridge pickup somewhere).

[Rickenhands]

Thanks much, Joshua, for the great examples. What an awesome sound! Man, I really like the tone(s). Much different than the variety I get from my current fretless. You have a great lookin' bass too!

Peace.

[marquezdl]

Here's a clip of me on my 4003FL/Brite Flats just wankin' away to the tune of "So What", it's awfully sloppy but here you go (click the "Pseudo-upright" song):

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default ... dID=816857

I wouldn't say it's truly upright like, but it shares some qualities of the tone, especially when the technique is right. Take it for what you will.

I think my 4001FL has a lot of potential for this kind of tone as well but I can't record it because I'm still sorting stuff out with the electronics (there's a short on the bridge pickup somewhere).

Very nice tone you have there! what kind of strings are you using, and what is your amplifier/speaker setup? Especially the pseudo-upright jam with Miles...very acoustic sound! it actually has some "air" to the sound...amazing for a solid body bass

By the way..I really like your arrangement of Chameleon...I used to play that way back in the 70's in a soul/funk band and it didn't sound anywhere near that good!

[cassius987]

Wow, thank you both for the generous compliments. That brief rendition of "So What" is a 4002 bridge pickup (in the neck position) with GHS Brite Flats. "Chameleon" is LaBella Deep Talkin' Flats and Toaster pickups. They are both recorded going direct into GarageBand, "Chameleon" has some effects on it (phaser and some EQ) but "Pseudo-upright" does not.

The "So What" rendition is part of a bigger (so far 6 minutes) track I am crafting to try to show off the different tones you can get with GHS Brite Flats, based on pickup position/blend and tone settings. I'm at that stage now where I'm thinking, "I seem to be getting the point across but all of my playing is so crummy! I have to re-record everything!" Plus, finding good blends can sometimes be challenging.

[Rickenhands]

Yes--I forgot to add that you're a fine player, Joshua. Great style you've got. Well done.

[sloop_john_b]

Good tones there Joshua. Where did you get a 4002 pickup?

[rickenbrother]

Thanks much, Joshua, for the great examples. What an awesome sound! Man, I really like the tone(s). Much different than the variety I get from my current fretless. You have a great lookin' bass too!

+1
Joshua plays very well and gets great tone from his 4003FL!

This was posted elsewhere, a while back. Me on a 4001FL, using only the neck pickup and the mute up to mellow out the mwah. Brian Medway performs the vocals and plays all all other instruments. "Georgia On My Mind"

[Rickenhands]

Joey,

Your "Georgia On My Mind" bass sound is excellent! What a full, beautiful sound. I like how you suppressed the "mwah." So far, I've heard nothing but good stuff from Ric FLs. Keep it coming! Hearing Ric FLs in action will likely only speed up my progress in searching for/finding the right one (need to break it to my wife softly ).

[rickenbrother]

Thanks John! As much as I love the mwah tone, it sounded a bit out of place for that song.

[Rickenhands]

Though not a Ric fretless, I thought I'd post a video of me playing my custom Benavente fretless. Though I use a variety of sounds from serious middy-mwah to almost none (akin to a Fender sound for straight rock), this video captures the sound I use more often than others. I have a John East U Preamp with Bartolini J pickups, usually favoring the bridge pickup.

I hope y'all enjoy (be kind, I know I'm not the greatest player ).

http://www.ultratoneonline.com/LovelydayLIVE.mov

Thanks again for sharing!

Peace.

[rickenbrother]

Enjoyed that very much, John, cool tune! Enjoyed your playing! Nice tone from that bass. Nice to see someone with a 5 string fretless.

[Rickenhands]

Thanks, Joey! I really love that bass--it's a one-of-a-kind and has great diversity. Though, I can't wait to get my hands on a 4003FL! After playing a 5-string only for so long, it's really cool getting back into a 4-string (referring to my new fretted 4003).

Cheers!

[Rickenhands]

Oh, I saw the video of Chris Brubeck throwing down on his 68/69 Ric fretless with his trio. Damn, he's an incredible musician. If there are any other videos of fretless Rics available to share, I'd love to feed my jones.

Cheers!

[cjj]

I hope y'all enjoy (be kind, I know I'm not the greatest player ).

You're plenty good! That was great, sounds fantastic!