Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've got a Jumbo with Rosewood (Shasta)? Played out with a buddy of mine over the weekend and he has a Alvarez Dreadnought (Rosewood Backs and Sides). His guitar is noticeably louder and more full sounding than mine. I am guessing strings?

Any suggestions for strings on the acoustics? I've got light gauge (DRs, I think) on there now.

Also, the pick-up in mine is one of the Fishman tapes (under the bridge) with no pre-amp. Anyone installed the big fancy Fishman in theres? The one with the floating MIC and all that? (Comment on volume and projection above was when playing unplugged, by the bye).

Thanks in advance.

JKC

I've had best luck with Martin Strings. Go to a higher gauge if you like.

I've never touted Rick acoustics for sheer volume (although I've known some thunderous ones!), but for precision and balance.

A preamp on that ribbon would help.

I think the LRBaggs pickups are a much better match to Ricks than the Fishmans; I've installed a dozen and a half in my builds, and currently the Anthem dual element is the way to go IMO.

Thanks Paul,

I went to Martin 13s... Which they label as mediums. Sorry, I've never memorized the guage of the low Es and refer to them by the High E. It is their standard packet though. Volume has increased slightly, but not significantly. I think your comments on balance are appropriate. To me, it has an "... airy" quality, if that makes sense.

Also, I am borrowing a ToneBone pre-amp and playing with that a bit to see if it gets me what I want out of the Fishman Ribbon. Not used to amp'ing accoustics so there is a learning curve here.

Correction on this post, the guitar that overwhelmed me in volume is a Larivee D-9.

Finally, I talked to the one of guys at my guitar shop and he said Jumbos can often be more subtle than you might think. His supposition was the narrow waist.

Anyone have any comments on the above? Specifically, working with the ToneBone or any other pre-amp? EQ settings? Amp settings? Currently, I am boosting the bass and scooping the mids a bit... Flat on the amp but adding reverb. The manual seems to suggest that sounds fine in your sound room, but can sound muddy when playing live... Suggesting more midrangey. Also, I am liking the sound though my tube twin combo more than the PA. Any comment there?

Thanks in advance,

JKC

jcreasy wrote: ...Correction on this post, the guitar that overwhelmed me in volume is a Larivee D-9. ...

My Larrivée D-09 is very loud. In fact I played a gig some years back with it where the two other guitar players were playing Takamine guitars one 6 and one 12. When we rehearsed acoustically my Larrivée would over power the other two! I experienced the same thing playing next to a Taylor GA-RS. They are not just loud they have great tone & definition. The Larrivée is strung with 0.013 - 0.056 Phosphor Bronze strings that I believe has a big part in the volume.

Thanks, Ken.

I must admit, it is a nice guitar... I was shocked when I heard it.... Except I am not a Dreadnought fan... Which is a shame because I've got a '66 Gibson J-50 that sounds and playes incredibly.

JKC