Queen I - Rick presence ?

[dmz]

Enjoying the new Queen first album remaster - what do you guys think ? - drums and vocals in particular more clear and seem to have been recorded in a room. Bass could be louder but that’s just me. 
 

Bought this album in 1974 so it made a big impression on me at the time and has remained a favourite over all these years.

 

However, listening to the track “Liar” - in particular the “bass solo” part at 5.09 and in particular that wonderful descending line at 5.22 - I wonder - isn’t that a Rickenbacker ? Doesn’t sound like a P-bass to me. I know he played a Rick before he joined Queen and early on in the life of the band - he was a big Chris Squire and John Entwistle fan - piccie is from 1971 mind.
 

[Lozz196]

I reckon you could be right, the lower notes could well be a Precision but the higher notes just have a different sound to them than what I’d expect from a Precision, a sort of “boxy” quality that comes from a Rick.

[Beedster]

3 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

I reckon you could be right, the lower notes could well be a Precision but the higher notes just have a different sound to them than what I’d expect from a Precision, a sort of “boxy” quality that comes from a Rick.

Pipey 👍

[NikNik]

A '60s 4001!!

[Cosmo Valdemar]

I used to think it was the Rick as it's so different to his usual sound, but I'm pretty certain it's just the Precision with new flats. Just a lot more top end and drive than usual.

If JD was using Roto flats at the time, they're surprisingly trebly and aggressive strings... for about an hour. Think Steve Harris.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

As for the new mix, on the whole it sounds fantastic but those drums sound very, very odd.

[ezbass]

18 hours ago, dmz said:

However, listening to the track “Liar” - in particular the “bass solo” part at 5.09 and in particular that wonderful descending line at 5.22

There's a definite change in tone there, very Ric like and in complete contrast to what had gone on for the previous 5 minutes. 

 

 

[ezbass]

Anybody else seeing a resemblance to our esteemed leader? Is there something we should know, @ped?

 

Edited 23 hours ago by ezbass

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Uploaded by Queen 45 minutes ago!

 

 

Bass solo at 7:13 - it's a bit lower in the mix but to my ears is the same basic sound.

 

Listening again to the studio recording, I'm certain that isn't the Rickenbacker. Their pickups are in the wrong place to make that sound.

Precision with flats, bit of overdrive, played hard. And, if the live video is anything to go buy, a massive wodge of sponge at the bridge 😁

[BigRedX]

The sponge isn't under the G string which is responsible for the trebly parts of the solo.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

8 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

The sponge isn't under the G string which is responsible for the trebly parts of the solo.

Ha! Good spot.