Rickenbacker vs Alembic series 1

[Mlazarus]

I heard the Rickenbacker has similar tone to the Series 1. I swear when I heard the Getty Lee's bass line on a song once, I thought he was playing an Alembic series 1. I then learned he played a Rickenbacker. Also, Paul McCartney's bassline on "Silly love songs" sounded exactly like a Series 1, but it turns out it was a Rickenbacker as well. What it you opinion on this?

[jazzyvee]

Well having little experience with any Ricks, i think many basses could have a tone that sounds similar to 'one' tone you can create on an alembic sound but unlikely to have the range of tones you can get from an alembic.

[Mlazarus]

ok, so, the Rickenbacker probably has that one tone. i agree. it doesn't have the filter control.

[jazzyvee]

when i started gigging with mine i found that i was looking for a distinctive alembic tone all the time, i think that was inexperience as a bass player and me wanting to stamp that SC type alembic tone, i guess to justify buying the signature bass. After a few posts on the forum about this and getting good advice, i became more relaxed and just started using the controls to find the right tone for the music i was playing from my bass and not really focussing on a specific alembic tone. The thing is bass players out front can hear when a bass has a distinctive sound especially if it looks different from the basses found in most instrument shops, and they usually find me to talk to. I guess in the end it's all about serving the song. Who knows Rush may have been looking for an alembic type sound, also Stanley has played on some of Paul's songs so maybe he too was looking for a similar sound and both eq'd accordingly. 👍🏾

[gearhed289]

An Alembic can definitely sound like a Ric, but I never really thought the opposite. In fact, sometimes I'll record a demo at home, and later on be unsure whether I used one of my Rics or my Alembic. 

I'll say this about Rics - They are like two entirely different creatures depending on whether you use flat wounds (Paul McCartney), or round (most everyone else). I occasionally put on a set of flats for certain songs, such as this (played with a pick) -

[gearhed289]

Question - Is that YouTube vid I posted above working for anyone? I'm just getting a spinny thing and eventual error message. I had the same happen recently in a post in the "pictures of you playing your Alembic" thread. Same thing happens whether I use the YouTube link option here, or just paste the URL.

[adriaan]

Some similarity would be from the neck-through construction (lots of sustain and a smiley eq) and lots of maple. But not sure that's the sound you hear in "Silly Love Songs"?

[lbpesq]

Question - Is that YouTube vid I posted above working for anyone? I'm just getting a spinny thing and eventual error message. I had the same happen recently in a post in the "pictures of you playing your Alembic" thread. Same thing happens whether I use the YouTube link option here, or just paste the URL.

Works for me.

Bill, tgo

[dannobasso]

I have both. I had a 4003 4 string and I currently have the newish 5 string with the Dorito pickups. I would say the twain do not meet.
When I had the 4 , I was using an f1x and super filter with Epifani cabs and qsc amps. Through that I could not really get a classic Ric sound. For that I need some stomp box help. Additionally the newer 5 model does not really have a classic Ric sound either. Certainly needs a hum canceler. If you do wish to get a Ric tone like Teddy, Tech 21 make a few pedals for that. Their Dug pedal is also great for the King's X tone.

[dannobasso]

Here is the Ric 4 I sold on this track.

[gtrguy]

I have a lot of experience with both and love them both, but they are different. I also find a huge difference between the Rickenbacker low gain and the newer high gain style pickups (I personally much prefer the more vintage sounding low gain PUPs of the 4001 and early 4003s, but I don't play metal style music). And yes, they do sound very different with flat round strings. I think the early 4003 Rickys (circa 1999) with low gain pickups can sound surprising versatile with round wounds, but few people are recorded doing that. 


I agree that an Alembic has more tonal variation. BTW, A good bass that will get you in the Rick department without breaking the bank is the multi-talented Peavey T40, but they weigh a ton! Their value is creeping up as well, but for $750 - 850 they are a great buy.

[gtrguy]

And 4001 and 4003 Rickenbackers are stereo output (not the 's' model) which lots of people will run one pickup into an over-driven amp for some snarl and grit and run the other (usually the neck) into a normal bass amp, which gives both bite and solid low end for that classic tone they are well known for.

[pauldo]

Tom -
The video works for me.  Your Rickenbacker sounds great… but it sure isn’t an Alembic.

[Spoilers!]

I'll cast another vote for different basses with different tones.  I had just moved over from old PRSs to a 4003 for most of my playing when my first Alembic found me.  I hadn't even worn out the stock strings on the 4003 yet.  I do still pull it out fairly often and have swapped the stock rounds for a set of TI Jazz Flats.  I've been very pleasantly surprised by how much versatility I can get from the Ric, but it's not equal to the versatility of the Series I.

I don't want that to come off sounding disrespectful to my Ric.  Let me clarify that dollar-for-dollar I think they compare very nicely.  A Series I is just a lot more dollars.

Ken

[gearhed289]

Thanks, it must be my work laptop. I just tried at home and it works.

Danno - cool take on the Beatles!