4 string to 5 string Rickenbacker conversion

[Ric5]

I wanted to discuss and illustrate the 4 to 5 conversion process.

I was a long time 4 string Rickenbacker player. Then I got into bands where I needed notes lower than the low E. So I would play my 4 string Rickenbacker for most of the songs and a 4 string jazz bass tuned DGCF for the other songs. But then I needed a low D flat so I switched to a 5 string bass. My first 5 string was a Rickenbacker 4003s5.

But the Rickenbacker 4003s5 is hard to play fingerstyle because of a 2 1/16" spacing at the bridge. So I started modifying 4003s5 basses so they had a string spacing of 2 1/4 or 2 3/8" which makes them easier to play. About 2001 Rickenbacker quit making the 4003s5 basses so I started modifying 4 string basses into 5 string basses. Now I only play 5 string basses.

I did the conversions for myself, but others showed interest in what I was doing so I started doing an occasional conversion for other bass players. Then I would sometimes buy a bass that I specifically intended to convert and resell. Talkbass says that makes me a "commercial user" I kind of think of it as a hobby that I am good at.

Pretty much every bass I own is modified or frankensteined in some way. I don't play any stock basses. Also from time to time I will sell one of my Fenderbird or SG basses. I have a professional career so playing music and working on basses is a "hobby" for me. But it is really nice after a hard day's work to come home and do something completely different from my day job.

this thread is posted for "educational" purposes ...

Feel free to visit my website here ... www.3dentourage.com/425

EDIT ... it seems that after posting this thread the interest in 4 to 5 string Rickenbacker conversions has increased ... I can still handle the workload

 

[Ric5]

For 35 years I played this 1968 4001 as my main player

 

[Ric5]

here's me with my first 5 string bass.

I totally loved the Ric tone with the low B ... But Rickenbacker no longer makes these basses and they had issues with a tight string spacing at the bridge.

 

[Ric5]

Here is a new 4003 bass unmodified

 

[Ric5]

I love the new carribean rosewood fingerboard

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

Here I am taking the bass apart

 

[Ric5]

I have to replace the 4 string nut with a 5

 

[Ric5]

I used a 6 string Carvin nut and I cut off the slot for the High C. I also have bridges machined out of aluminum to replace the 4 string bridge.

 

[Ric5]

More shots of replacement bridges.

 

[Ric5]

Here is the bass as a 5 string bass. I pull the pickup poles for the A and D strings and put in 3 poles in their places to accommodate all 5 strings.

I also added 2 extra screws to the tailpiece and I remove the structure above the mechanical mute.

On this bass the mechanical mute was left in. Usually I remove it.

I remove some of the metal from the existing tailpiece for the conversion.

 

[Ric5]

The metal above the mechanical mute has been removed and the 2 extra screws have been added here

 

[nixdad]

Nice job, Jeff!

 

[Ric5]

I remove the 4 existing tuners and replace them with Schaller / Grover type tuners with the 1/2" post.

I drill the hole for the 5th tuner on the treble side of the headstock because there is a little more room there.

 

[Ric5]

Completed bass

 

[Ric5]

Personally I prefer the "s" models without the binding.

 

[Ric5]

Also I have sources for black hardware.

This bass was my main player for a few years ... I sold it. Then I re-acquired it from ebay ... someone had put in bart pickup and messes up the wiring ... I restored it go a good "Rickenbacker" state.

 

[Ric5]

I also do 4004 basses . This one here was rescued from ebay. Someone else converted it into a 5 but didn't get it right, and it also has a slight twist in the neck. But I was able to fit it. I put a custom pickup in the bridge position. The original owner put the bridge on slightly off square but that's ok it still plays good. It turned out to be my favorite Rickenbacker. This bass has stickers that simulate the shark fin inlays on the 4001/4003 models.

 

[tommyr01]

I absolutely love your conversions !!!!!!!!!!!