I just had to explain Ric-o-Sound to someone who has been playing a 4003 for five years

#2
Ric-o-Sound/stereo/dual out is so overlooked or ignored
Some never understand the advantage of EQing each PU separately.
Is it the limitations of keeping to the traditional, unable to think outside the box?
Their loss, my gain methinks.

My parts basses use one stereo jack with a switchable mono option.
That gives me modern composite sounds with traditional options.
I highly recommend it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wood and Wire, Danny C and Iristone
#4
I ran it through two amps back in the led sled days, which sounded epic, but a PITA lugging two amps and cabs. Seems a lot more viable now with lightweight Class D amps and cabs. The stereo jack system relies on some fairly fragile parts and is a tight fit in its hole, sometimes it gets jammed by its own wiring. Might not be the most practical system for most players, but definitely worth trying.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CryingBass and Iristone
#7
Derek Kay said:
Ric-o-Sound/stereo/dual out is so overlooked or ignored
Some never understand the advantage of EQing each PU separately.
Is it the limitations of keeping to the traditional, unable to think outside the box?
Their loss, my gain methinks.

My parts basses use one stereo jack with a switchable mono option.
That gives me modern composite sounds with traditional options.
I highly recommend it.
Click to expand...


Is there a specific switchable stereo to mono Jack you're using?

I've been thinking about modifying the output in my 70's Japanese Rickenbacker copy.

It has a stereo output socket, but is wired up in mono.

I've considered wiring it in stereo, and always using a stereo lead to a DIY Ric-O-Sound box, with stereo input, mono neck output, mono bridge output, and summed mono output.

I've also considered adding either a switch for mono / stereo output (aesthetically my least favourite option), or a push / pull pot if possible (one on bridge tone for the cap bypass, and one for mono / stereo).

Another possible solution would be replacing the 3 way pickup toggle switch, with a 4 way, with one position wired for stereo (if possible).

Ideally I was hoping a switchable output Jack might be available, but I haven't come across anything yet.

How are you solving the problem?
 
#10
I can empathize, just a few weeks ago I've seen my first ever Ric in the wild... but the dude playing it had no idea what I was talking about when I asked him about his bi-amp setup. He was just splitting the mono signal at his pedal board to two outs, going to their respective amps. Of course you can do it like that, but I'd at least assume you know your options as a Ric owner...
 
#11
Wood and Wire said:
Is there a specific switchable stereo to mono Jack you're using?

I've been thinking about modifying the output in my 70's Japanese Rickenbacker copy.

It has a stereo output socket, but is wired up in mono.

I've considered wiring it in stereo, and always using a stereo lead to a DIY Ric-O-Sound box, with stereo input, mono neck output, mono bridge output, and summed mono output.

I've also considered adding either a switch for mono / stereo output (aesthetically my least favourite option), or a push / pull pot if possible (one on bridge tone for the cap bypass, and one for mono / stereo).

Another possible solution would be replacing the 3 way pickup toggle switch, with a 4 way, with one position wired for stereo (if possible).

Ideally I was hoping a switchable output Jack might be available, but I haven't come across anything yet.

How are you solving the problem?
Click to expand...
I am using a single stereo jack socket, and a DPST switch.

Stereo: tip - neck PU, ring - bridge PU, base - common earth. VT VT for each PU.
The othe end of my stereo guitar lead exits in 2 mono plugs that feed each PU into their individual preamp.

The mono setting switches the bridge PU from it's T control to the neck T control ie VVT like a Jazz bass. One T control becomes obsolete. You can now use a mono lead if that is sufficient for that gig.

With a mono lead the switch turns the bridge PU on (mono), or off (stereo)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wood and Wire
#12
Derek Kay said:
I am using a single stereo jack socket, and a DPST switch.

Stereo: tip - neck PU, ring - bridge PU, base - common earth. VT VT for each PU.
The othe end of my stereo guitar lead exits in 2 mono plugs that feed each PU into their individual preamp.

The mono setting switches the bridge PU from it's T control to the neck T control ie VVT like a Jazz bass. One T control becomes obsolete. You can now use a mono lead if that is sufficient for that gig.

With a mono lead the switch turns the bridge PU on (mono), or off (stereo)
Click to expand...

Interesting...


So, is the DPST switch in addition to the normal Rickenbacker pickup selector switch, or have you done away with that, and just blend the pickups using their respective volume controls?
 
#13
Wood and Wire said:
Interesting...


So, is the DPST switch in addition to the normal Rickenbacker pickup selector switch, or have you done away with that, and just blend the pickups using their respective volume controls?
Click to expand...
Sorry, not in addition but instead of.
My Rick 4001 was used as it was. Two jacks.

My parts basses have just one (stereo) jack, and the DPST switches it to mono.
It is more useful having the option onboard rather than changing leads, and it saved me mounting a second jack. I simply used the Ric-o-Sound idea for dual out EQ.

If your MIJ Rick has only a single jack I would leave your 3 toggle as is, and add a push/pull somewhere. I think you may need to wire mono as VVT ie one T becomes redundant. Check a circuit diag - it may be possible to avoid this, but 2 T controls in mono is not an advantage to me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wood and Wire
#14
It’s staggering to see people that have been playing for years and years and know next to nothing about their gear. Just plug it in, fumble around with some knobs and somehow sound comes out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: danesdad
#15
I could see that happening. Especially if someone isn’t a long term Ric player. Or maybe a used bass someone bought because it looks cool but maybe doesn’t get the rundown. Probably happens more than you think. But helping someone unleash it, you did the right thing.
 
#17
BassGuyFL said:
It’s staggering to see people that have been playing for years and years and know next to nothing about their gear. Just plug it in, fumble around with some knobs and somehow sound comes out.
Click to expand...


Not every musician is a gear nerd. Some people manage to play bass, buy an amp and be in a band without really knowing exactly what "all those knobs" do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: danesdad and Tony Bassplayer
#19
The Lurker said:
Seriously. The person was complaining that one of their output jacks wasn't working right. Mono was nonfunctional (extremely dirty, works now, you're welcome) so they had been using the stereo jack with a mono cable the whole time they'd owned it and just realized that wasn't working right.

It is to laugh.
Click to expand...
I had 4001 years ago with a ROH setup. I eventually sold of my ROS rig and really didn’t play it much afterwards. Then one day I started playing a notice the Bridge pick up was not as loud as it was, and for the next couple of years kept getting quieter. I finally got around to tasking the Pickguard of, and I was surprised to find the contact points of the selector switch are exposed much like the condenser points on a car. And lo and behold there was a piece of fuzz/lint wedged in the points for the bridge pickup
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back