BRG Rickenbacker 4005V

[nixdad]

By the way, for anyone thinking about purchasing a 4005 and wondering which gig bag will work, I recommend the RoadRunner RR5TEB-ESP Highway Premium Electric Bass Gig Bag available through GC or MF. They're already affordable, but go on sale quite often. Available in either Black or Espresso.

View attachment 5366192

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The cool part is that white foam pieces in the bottom padding liner pad are removable, which will accommodate the extra length of a stock 4005:
View attachment 5366198

I am still loving mine, and yes, it has left the house and done just fine out in the wild. The only downside is that it is a tight fit in the Mono gig bag I normally use for transport, so I opted to take it in the case instead, which is a little less convenient.

@Anachronism -
Please see my post above regarding the Road Runner RR5TEB gig bag. This is the bag I use with my XC, and yes, it does fit a standard 4005 as well (the pad at the bottom has foam inserts which can be removed if necessary.) You can find these at GC & MF.

This should meet your needs for local gigging. The hard shell case these come with is beautiful, but too damn heavy and cumbersome for my needs.

 

[markjazzbassist]

I'm holding out for 4005WBV.

what color is is WBV? i'm not rickenbacker literate

 

[mikeswals]

Neat!
A very proper color for that bodystyle Ric!

 

[Jeff Scott]

That would be something, wouldn't it Jeff!?! If it happened, which color would you choose?

That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

Also - as the resident historical expert of large-bodied Ric basses, who at Rickenbacker is actually responsible for designing the 4005? The only references I can find state it's Roger Rossmeisl, however, he'd left to work at Fender 3 years earlier in '62.

Good question. I have no idea who designed it (whoever came up with the second version 360 would be a good bet, however).

 

[Jeff Scott]

what color is is WBV? i'm not rickenbacker literate

That's not a color; that would be a reissue (V) of the 4005WB.

 

[nixdad]

what color is is WBV? i'm not rickenbacker literate

It's not a color, it's a description. WB means "with binding," and "V" denotes this current reissue. Here's a photo of a 60's 4005WB (sometimes referred to as well as "OS" for "old style.")

Neat!
A very proper color for that bodystyle Ric!

Thank you!

 

[nixdad]

That's pretty obvious, isn't it?

Good question. I have no idea who designed it (whoever came up with the second version 360 would be a good bet, however).

Yeah, I figured Jetglo but had to ask!

Concerning the designer of the 4005, I agree it's likely the same person responsible for rounding the edges on the 360. I posed the same question to Ben Hall on Instagram, but have not yet received a reply.

 

[Jeff Scott]

As far as I’m aware, the toasters used on the 4005V’s are no different than what Ric used in the 60’s. Talkbass member and resident Ric guru @Jeff Scott played a 4005WB strung with TI flats for decades, so I suggest reaching out to him as he’s posted MANY recordings of his bass which I’m sure he’d be happy to share.

I never measured the DCR of the toaster in that bass, but I would assume the modern scatterwound toasters are in the ballpark. The neck toaster in that 4005WB is a short-magnet version, so it might be lower in DCR than the bridge toaster in that bass.

I may have used TI JFs on it, but don't recall. For its later life (post '03) I used Chromes (40-55-75-95) on it. Previous to that, I used mostly XLs (Reds, too), and once in a while, Boomers (probably 45-100 on all those, but don't really remember).

 

[Jeff Scott]

It's not a color, it's a description. WB means "with binding," and "V" denotes this current reissue. Here's a photo of a 60's 4005WB (sometimes referred to as well as "OS" for "old style.")
View attachment 7016893

Thank you!

Do you have a larger file of that (I assume that BURG)? Looks great!

 

[markjazzbassist]

It's not a color, it's a description. WB means "with binding," and "V" denotes this current reissue. Here's a photo of a 60's 4005WB (sometimes referred to as well as "OS" for "old style.")
View attachment 7016893

Thank you!

thanks, that's ugly as hell!! i like the new version with the rounded body WAY better (your racing green is gorgeous!). that old model looks like a 7th grade woodshop student designed the body shape. the new one you got is a lot more elegant. i much prefer this modern iteration.

 

[nixdad]

I never measured the DCR of the toaster in that bass, but I would assume the modern scatterwound toasters are in the ballpark. The neck toaster in that 4005WB is a short-magnet version, so it might be lower in DCR than the bridge toaster in that bass.

I may have used TI JFs on it, but don't recall. For its later life (post '03) I used Chromes (40-55-75-95) on it. Previous to that, I used mostly XLs (Reds, too), and once in a while, Boomers (probably 45-100 on all those, but don't really remember).

Thanks for clarifying, Jeff!

Do you have a larger file of that (I assume that BURG)? Looks great!

It is Burgundyglo! I just copied the photo from Google.

 

[Jeff Scott]

As far as I’m aware, the toasters used on the 4005V’s are no different than what Ric used in the 60’s. Talkbass member and resident Ric guru @Jeff Scott played a 4005WB strung with TI flats for decades, so I suggest reaching out to him as he’s posted MANY recordings of his bass which I’m sure he’d be happy to share.

The recordings I have may or may not correlate to the 4005V, given my comments above about the differences between vintage and modern toasters (plus, I feel that as pickups age they do change in tone). All are with various round wounds (my demo recordings while in college), except for a couple of recordings of dubious audio quality from a Rare Blend gig in the mid '00s with Chromes on the bass. That was a drum fest on a very hot summer afternoon in Cuyahoga Falls; the recordings were off the FOH console and obviously favored the drums and percussion (plus there's some sloppy playing on my part! ). The drummer is George Lawrence.

The Rare Blend gig recordings were played with my fingers, the college recording are all with a pick (with the exception of "The Spirit", which is fingers).

All demo recordings Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott, Stephen J. Rago, or Jeffrey P. Scott & Stephen J. Rago, 1981-1983, all rights reserved.

 

[Jeff Scott]

thanks, that's ugly as hell!!

That's a matter of opinion.

 

[40Hz]

If you need any dealer suggestions please PM me. I've kept a close eye on the market.

Thank you!

Not within my current gear budget due to some unforeseen expenses. But I will keep you in mind.

 

[Wood and Wire]

All demo recordings Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott, Stephen J. Rago, or Jeffrey P. Scott & Stephen J. Rago, 1981-1983, all rights reserved.

The attached demos aren't working at my end (TalkBass says whoopsie, and direct download is invalid).

 

[Jeff Scott]

The attached demos aren't working at my end (TalkBass says whoopsie, and direct download is invalid).

That seems to be a problem with the new, upgraded platform. Hopefully, the admins/mods will get it repaired.

 

[nixdad]

OK, so I'm experimenting with a few different knob combinations (please excuse the poor lighting.)

Here are the original black knobs:

The silver top knobs from my 2014 4003:

Note: The 5-piece silver knob set for $16.99 on eBay does NOT fit real Rickenbacker instruments (their ad was truthful and said as much, but I missed this thinking I was getting a deal. I've since found a silver-top small knob which is on order from Rickeysounds in England.)

Black/silver oven knobs:

Stereo:-type knobs

Stereo knobs with whimsical Beatles Yellow Submarine trim (heck, I'm in a Beatles band after all):

Which is your favorite look?

 

[Jeff Scott]

OK, so I'm experimenting with a few different knob combinations (please excuse the poor lighting.)

Here are the original black knobs:
View attachment 7020649

Call me shallow but I prefer the vintage lined knobs.

 

[Rezdog]

Hey nixdad,

Actually I'm really liking the Stereo knobs with the BRG and pickguard on that bass.
The Cookers are running a close 2nd.
But the Stereo ones are badass and only a 4005 could rock 'em
Just sayin

Rezdog

 

[ShawnG]

OK, so I'm experimenting with a few different knob combinations (please excuse the poor lighting.)

Here are the original black knobs:
View attachment 7020649

The silver top knobs from my 2014 4003:
View attachment 7020655
Note: The 5-piece silver knob set for $16.99 on eBay does NOT fit real Rickenbacker instruments (their ad was truthful and said as much, but I missed this thinking I was getting a deal. I've since found a silver-top small knob which is on order from Rickeysounds in England.)

Black/silver oven knobs:
View attachment 7020672

Stereo:-type knobs
View attachment 7020673

Stereo knobs with whimsical Beatles Yellow Submarine trim (heck, I'm in a Beatles band after all):
View attachment 7020674

Which is your favorite look?

Original black knobs