Converting a rickenbaker 4 to 5

paradigm_shift · #1 09-03-2007, 09:34 AM

I know someone on talkbass has already done it, but I cant for the life of me think who.Is there a replacement bridge preexisting out there?Or would I have to get someone to modify a hipshot one?Other than changing the nut what else is involved? I'm curious would a change of pick up be nessacary?

K-Frog · #2 09-03-2007, 10:25 AM

I get it.. Labor Day Fools!!!!!!

redstrand · #3 09-03-2007, 11:16 AM

You're kidding...right?
different bridge
different pickups
different neck

$1800+ Ric + all those parts= Get a different 5 string and keep the original Ric.

All that effort would make the bass worth a lot less.

Just my opinion. I'm not a Ric purist, but I wouldn't mod anything worth over 300 bucks.

BassSurfer · #4 09-03-2007, 11:27 AM

^ a huge +1.. why waste your time? and hard earned money?

paradigm_shift · #5 09-03-2007, 11:45 AM

I guess It the dangers of posting on no sleep, thinking things through doesnt really happen. I didnt even think about the headstock issue. I'm sure I was reading a thread about it earlier today though,and I dont think it was a Rickenbacker 4003S/5 .Regardless , put it down to the musings of the sleep deprived

!Rob! · #6 09-03-2007, 11:55 AM

Gawd no, don't do it!

on another note...Years ago I almost bought a genuine 5 string Ric, even had the cheque made out (over 4 grand) and was prepared for a 6 month wait, one last email from a Ric tech informing me that 5 string Rics are not really a Ric with an extra string, they are a completely different bass all together, different pups mainly....dang, I ripped up the cheque.

paradigm_shift · #7 09-03-2007, 12:02 PM

The Rickenbacker Club!

That was the thread I found before too.Just looked really well done, which got me thinking..well somewhat..which lead to this thread

#8 09-03-2007, 12:09 PM

It sounds like it would have very narrow string spacing.

war_n_peace · #9 09-03-2007, 02:11 PM

Here's a good resource for doing the conversion

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm

!Rob! · #10 09-03-2007, 02:16 PM

I may be wrong, but in this pic, it looks to me like the A/D/G tuners can/will hit each other, what a total pain that would be. That's only one of the problems I can think of.

nastyn8c · #11 09-04-2007, 02:27 PM

Personally, I think it would be really awesome. The downers here all have points, but it's still your call.

anonymous278347457 · #12 09-06-2007, 04:34 PM

It also looks like the B and G strings will come off the fretboard when your doing bends/vibrato.