Ric-O-Sound

[Jim-Bass]

My Rickenbacker has 2 jacks for stereo output, but you have to have the 'Ric-O-Sound' gadget. I can't find any around here, and those who know of it say it isn't worth tracking down/paying for it. Has anyone tried this? How does it sound? Is it different to using a DI box and splitting your signal?

[ryanizzle]

if you really wanted it, i think you could just use a stereo splitter cable. i might try to rig a little box up that splits the stereo signal, since there is no way that i'm shelling out the $$$ for one of those.

[RIC N BACKER]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190078971440&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=190077439830&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

[bonscottvocals]

If you want Ric-o-Sound, the Ric-o-Sound device was a fancy stereo Y-cable, and Ric discontinued the item (at least temporarily). Probably because people figured they could just use a decent Y-cable to to the job. You can read more at Ric's site (http://forum.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=1223&forum=General_Forum&thread_name=Ordered%20a%20ric-o-%20sound%20kit).

[bonscottvocals]

btw, for those who will point out that the ROS unit was a bit more than a Y-cable, that is very true, but not much that can't be done otherwise and for less or for the same as the ROS.

 

I just wanted to add that for the true to hearts, because I know someone will clamor about the things the ROS did for them. And yes, I'd like to have one just to say, "I've got one." :^)

[Thumper]

I used a Ric-O-Sound cable with my 4001 back in the late '70s. I sent the neck pup to a blackface Fender Showman/2x15 JBL cab, and the bridge pup to a Sound City 120/4x10 cab.

 

It sounded like the end of the world.

[tim4003]

I bought one of these. It's all you need!

 

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_planet_waves_14_male_stereo_to_dual_14_jack_adapter?full_sku=335243

 

[bholder]

 

btw, for those who will point out that the ROS unit was a bit more than a Y-cable, that is very true, but not much that can't be done otherwise and for less or for the same as the ROS. I just wanted to add that for the true to hearts, because I know someone will clamor about the things the ROS did for them. And yes, I'd like to have one just to say, "I've got one." :^)

 

 

Ok, so exactly what "more than a Y-cable" is it? A preamp or something?

[der oxenrig]

I really need one for my stereo rig.

[bonscottvocals]

 

Ok, so exactly what "more than a Y-cable" is it? A preamp or something?

 

 

 

Nope, works like a crossover, directing the bridge and neck pickups separately. If you read the owner's manual, you'll see:

 

To use, plug the Rick-O-Sound kit cable into the Rick-O-Sound output

jack on the instrument. Then, plug one standard mono cable into each

of the two sides of the Rick-OSound kit box. Run each of the two

lines into either 1) two separate amplifiers, or 2) each channel of a

dual channel amplifier. Rick-O-Sound provides a choice

between three different types of effects at one time. With the pickup

selector on the bass pickup, Rick-O-Sound puts out a lush and full

bass sound. With the pickup selector in the middle position, a beautiful

blend of highs and lows can be achieved, much like a clean chorus

effect. The tonal separation is improves when using two amplifiers.

With the pickup selector in the treble position, Rick-O-Sound

produces a bright and full ringing lead tone

 

An example set-up might have a soft, full jazz sound with plenty of

reverb at the bass setting in the amplifier or channel one. Or a loud,

distorted heavy rock sound at the treble position in the amplifier or

channel two. A big pop rock stereo chorus type sound could come

from a combination of the two in the middle position using both

amplifiers or channels.

 

The Rick-O-Sound may also be used with a standard stereo cable

to connect directly with amplifiers equipped with a stereo input. It

may also be used with any standard shielded stereo Y-cord but

cables of poorer quality may result in a significant increase in noise or

loss in treble tone.

 

The manual can be found here: http://www.rickenbacker.net/pdfs/manual.pdf

[Jim-Bass]

I bought one of these. It's all you need! http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/product/buy_planet_waves_14_male_stereo_to_dual_14_jack_adapter?full_sku=335243

 

a-ha! I have one of those ....let's dice with danger

[Jim-Bass]

oops no, I don't ...I really like thumpers set up, wow

[Jim-Bass]

how did you configure that set up? does the ROS allow you to do that?

[bonscottvocals]

 

how did you configure that set up? does the ROS allow you to do that?

 

 

 

How did who configure which setup?

[Jim-Bass]

 

How did who configure which setup?

 

 

Thumper

[Jazz Ad]

Nothing special.

Use doubler, send each pickup to a different amp.

[Rowka]

Not unlike what Yamaha did with the sig. Attitude models.

[bnyswonger]

It's a standard insert cable. Any place that sells studio gear will have it.

[vincentpghpa]

Too much {censored} for me.

 

Bass, cable, amp. What else do you need?

[lug]

Actually, I'd recomend a 20' stereo instrument cable and split it at the amp end with something like this. Otherwise, you are dragging 2 cables around.

 

[bholder]

 

Nope, works like a crossover, directing the bridge and neck pickups separately. If you read the owner's manual, you'll see: To use, plug the Rick-O-Sound kit cable into the Rick-O-Sound output jack on the instrument. Then, plug one standard mono cable into each of the two sides of the Rick-OSound kit box. Run each of the two lines into either 1) two separate amplifiers, or 2) each channel of a dual channel amplifier. Rick-O-Sound provides a choice between three different types of effects at one time. With the pickup selector on the bass pickup, Rick-O-Sound puts out a lush and full bass sound. With the pickup selector in the middle position, a beautiful blend of highs and lows can be achieved, much like a clean chorus effect. The tonal separation is improves when using two amplifiers. With the pickup selector in the treble position, Rick-O-Sound produces a bright and full ringing lead tone An example set-up might have a soft, full jazz sound with plenty of reverb at the bass setting in the amplifier or channel one. Or a loud, distorted heavy rock sound at the treble position in the amplifier or channel two. A big pop rock stereo chorus type sound could come from a combination of the two in the middle position using both amplifiers or channels. The Rick-O-Sound may also be used with a standard stereo cable to connect directly with amplifiers equipped with a stereo input. It may also be used with any standard shielded stereo Y-cord but cables of poorer quality may result in a significant increase in noise or loss in treble tone. The manual can be found here: http://www.rickenbacker.net/pdfs/manual.pdf

 

 

 

Yeah, I knew that it's a stereo signal, one channel per pickup. I'll rephrase my question: Is Ric-O-Sound anything more than a stereo signal splitter Y cable, and if so, what? The original post I quoted suggested it was more than that, but I don't see it.

[Banta]

I have the original ROS kit that came with my '78 4001 along with a 50' stereo extension cable. I haven't used it since 1980.

[s4001]

I've never used a ROS or the ROS jack. Maybe I'll try it one of these days....

[takeout]

You can do some cool things recording-wise. I just demo'ed something with the neck pickup going to a tube DI and the bridge going to an Ampeg Reverbrocket head and 4x12 cab, with some gainy grit dialed in. Great rock tone if you need to cut through thick guitars.

 

I don't know how practical it would be for live use, but everything's worth trying once...

[Craig Vecchione]

 

Nope, works like a crossover, directing the bridge and neck pickups separately. If you read the owner's manual, you'll see: To use, plug the Rick-O-Sound kit cable into the Rick-O-Sound output jack on the instrument. Then, plug one standard mono cable into each of the two sides of the Rick-OSound kit box. Run each of the two lines into either 1) two separate amplifiers, or 2) each channel of a dual channel amplifier. Rick-O-Sound provides a choice between three different types of effects at one time. With the pickup selector on the bass pickup, Rick-O-Sound puts out a lush and full bass sound. With the pickup selector in the middle position, a beautiful blend of highs and lows can be achieved, much like a clean chorus effect. The tonal separation is improves when using two amplifiers. With the pickup selector in the treble position, Rick-O-Sound produces a bright and full ringing lead tone An example set-up might have a soft, full jazz sound with plenty of reverb at the bass setting in the amplifier or channel one. Or a loud, distorted heavy rock sound at the treble position in the amplifier or channel two. A big pop rock stereo chorus type sound could come from a combination of the two in the middle position using both amplifiers or channels. The Rick-O-Sound may also be used with a standard stereo cable to connect directly with amplifiers equipped with a stereo input. It may also be used with any standard shielded stereo Y-cord but cables of poorer quality may result in a significant increase in noise or loss in treble tone. The manual can be found here: http://www.rickenbacker.net/pdfs/manual.pdf

 

 

 

If you read this thoroughly (especially the last paragraph that says you can use a splitter cable!) you'll see that there's no mention of what the ROS box actually does. I've opened one....it's a stereo split to two mono...exactly what the y-cables do. Nothing more, nothing less. No circuitry, definitely no crossover. $80 for a box with jacks? I don't think so.