SRB can play polyphonically up to four notes (obviously!), but the Sustain keyswitch renders SRB monophonic, and simultaneously functions like a traditional sustain pedal, useful for keeping repetitive eighth-notes sounding 'connected'. A 'Force Hammer-on/off' keyswitch also enables hammer-ons, normally invoked by overlapping two notes a semitone or tone apart, to be 'forced' across much wider intervals, as long as they're within the range of the currently playing string. On SRB, the player can now perform trills and buzz trills at their own speed, for as long as desired. The scripting for trills and buzz trills has been considerably improved from previous Scarbee basses, which offered only short trills of preset speed and length. While the most frequently used articulations (sustain, hammer-on, pull-off, grace notes) are available directly from the playable keys, additional keyswitched articulations, such as trills, buzz trills, mutes and pickup claps, are also provided. So, for example, if you'd prefer that open G to be played on the A string with an upward stroke, it can be forced to do so. But if SRB's 'intelligent' choices aren't to your taste, they can be manually overridden at any time via non-latching keyswitches. Like Scarbee's other basses, SRB uses KSP scripting to take care of string selection and up/down strokes automatically. Conversely, the undamped Rickenbacker Bass lets rip with unrestrained gutsy power, long sustain, a rich low end and tons of high-, mid- and top-end detail, enabling SRB to cut effortlessly through the densest of heavy rock mixes. A good example is Paul McCartney's bass sound on 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'- this was reputedly a damped Ricky 4001 with flat-wound strings.

Although muted, the sound still has plenty of body and sustain, with a pronounced pick attack. The Palm Mute instrument simulates the effect of using the damper bar on the tailpiece of the original bass, (removed by the majority of Ricky players!) and favoured by country and western players. nki instruments in two flavours, Palm Muted and undamped. The model sampled for SRB was a 4003, with Rotosound Swing Bass 66 round-wound strings providing that characteristic 'Ricky' wiry top end. It's the first Scarbee bass to have been played with a pick rather than fingers, so it's tonally very different to their previous bass products. Scarbee's Rickenbacker Bass (SRB) expands on their existing virtual basses with a posh new GUI, built-in effects, and some welcome improvements to the KSP scripting. It was only a matter of time before someone would redress the balance, and as a fully paid-up prog rocker, I couldn't be more pleased that Scarbee have risen to the challenge. Rickies have provided the signature sound of bassists across a hugely diverse range of musical styles, from Bruce Foxton of the Jam to Chris Squire of Yes their throaty, almost guitar-like tone is instantly recognisable, and remains the definitive bass sound for many progressive rock bassists. These particular models of bass often crop up in sample libraries and virtual instruments, though for some reason the Rickenbacker is a comparative rarity. All are eminently playable, extremely expressive and uncannily realistic. Scarbee have already produced three excellent virtual bass guitars: J-Bass, Pre-Bass and MM-Bass (Jazz, Precision and Music Man). I can't deny a frisson of eager anticipation whenever Native Instruments release a virtual instrument with the Scarbee branding. Have Scarbee nailed its distinctive qualities? The 'Ricky' bass sound graces many a classic track.

Scarbee bass review