Rickenbacker: The Sounds & Players of Rick-O-Sound

Rickenbacker have been in the music industry for nearly 100 years – their 100th anniversary will be in 2031. They are credited as the first known manufacturer of electric guitars, releasing in 1932 as a lap steel-style electric guitar known as ‘the frying pan’. They have produced electric guitars, amplifiers, and bass guitars throughout their lengthy history and are well renowned for following their own philosophy when it comes to instrument design.

They’re among the giants of bass, helping sculpt the sound of contemporary music for generations at this stage and the timeless approach to their instruments – set neck that runs through the entire body, a lacquered rosewood fingerboard unlike any other bass, and the special Rick-O-Sound electronics layout – has made some bassists Rickenbacker players for life.

Which bassists use Rickenbacker basses?

The list of superstar bassists that used a Rickenbacker for their sound is long indeed since they first arrived in 1957. The seventies in particular saw a huge explosion in usage of the classic 4001 series of instruments that catapulted them into iconic status. 

We’ve chosen two of the most notable Rickenbacker enthusiasts – Paul McCartney and Chris Squire – for the purposes of this blog post, though we could ream a list of legendary names that would make anyone’s head spin. Other important names in the Rickenbacker roster include Geddy Lee, Lemmy, Phil Lynott, Geezer Butler, and more.

Chris Squire: Yes’ Owner of a Lonely Heart (1983)

Chris Squire was the bassist and backing vocalist of progressive rock band Yes. He is an original founding member and remained with the band until his passing in 2015, making him the longest tenured band member. His inspiring bass lines led the way throughout the prog era and can be heard on every studio release from the band. 

His dynamic and melodic approach to bass was at odds with so many other bass compositions of the time. Squire crafted aggressive and highly active bass lines that used the Rickenbacker’s oft-forgotten Rick-O-Sound stereo jack outputs to great effect, sending the bass outputs to a traditional bass amp and the trebles to a guitar amp. This wide and huge soundscape was supported by his heavy picking style and is unmistakable when you hear it.

Here’s the track for Owner of a Lonely Heart – the main success the band had in the USA when it hit number 1 in the charts. While we wouldn’t personally consider this the highlight of Squire’s or Yes’ musical virtuosity, it’s a great driving track that has a solid and present bassline worth learning. 

Listen for the bridge where Squire will flex his compositional muscles a little more and break away from the established musical themes.

How to get the Owner of a Lonely Heart tone

Here are our tips to recreate Squire’s sound:

  • Rickenbacker 4001 bass
  • Clean channel with some compression at the end of the chain
  • Plenty of mids and treble, some of the bass pulled out of the mix
  • Add some chorus to get that 80s jangle

Paul McCartney: Wings’ Silly Love Songs (1976)

What can we really say about Paul McCartney short of gushing about his musical legacy? A pioneering musician, singer, and bassist, one quarter of the most influential band to have ever existed in The Beatles, and a tried and true Rickenbacker player through his tenure in Wings. 

McCartney’s bass sensibilities defined the songs of multiple generations. His signature bopping melodies are filled with movement, chromaticism, and work to drive the rest of the band forward. Paul is well known for playing with a pick rather than his fingers and is a part of his unique sound, supported by the equally unique tones of his primary basses – the Höfner violin bass and the Rickenbacker 4001.

Silly Love Songs is played in C major and focuses on moving through the scale, dropping below the C to the F and G before running back to home. It’s critical to keep a steady eighth note pulse as you cross up and down the strings, while being ready for the smattering of quarter notes in the latter parts of the etude.

How to get the Silly Love Songs tone

Paul McCartney’s tone is a pretty fundamental one, mostly drawn from his choice of gear and picking style. He’s on record as not worrying too greatly about tone, opting to plug and play instead. Realistically, his sound does echo a James Jamerson tone – not a surprise given his love of motown music. 

  • Rickenbacker 4001 bass
  • Pick for the desired attack
  • Roll the tone off to get the thumpy sound on the track

The Bottom Line

Rickenbacker basses are a true oddity in the bass world. Musicians either loathe or love these peculiarities and they’re one of the most unique and striking designs you’ll find. Unlike the endless number of Fender-shaped objects that litter the bass world, very few brands even attempt to take on a Rickenbacker-style bass. The one-of-a-kind shape and electronics really set a Rickenbacker apart from the competition and they’re well worth a run if you get a chance.

We have a selection of Rickenbacker basses available at BassBros, so feel free to get in touch and arrange an appointment to find your perfect bass.