I am scratching my head, trying to figure out why Rickenbacker would come out with an "Anniversary" bass...with a 30.5" neck, instead of a 34". I simply must be missing something, but what? 4001 and 4003 have I believe 34" necks, so what gives? Anyone know? If so, please tell me. Thanks in advance.
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New Rickenbacker Bass
- Thread starter Michael Ash
- Start date
I believe that the longer scale Rics are 33.25 inches, short scales have been 30.5 inches. I’m sure that a few of our resident Rickenbacker experts can set the record straight.
Believe me, I am no Rickenbacker expert. I think I have played a 4001 once, and that's about it. I like their look and sound, and when I heard the new one was coming out I was curious. Tks.
Well, the 90th Ann. 480 is a guitar that I would’ve been super into back in 2004-7 but it might sell pretty well.
The 90th Ann. 4005 bass looks like a very smart way to cash in on the current short scale popularity boom in that it appears likely that you’d be able to use any regular/long scale string you want instead of being tied to short scale strings.
An added bonus, if these do go into non-limited production and many TBers buy them, we can have a greater data set for the string discussions regarding tension and other feel descriptors.
I think they’d do better to have one of the pickups move to the middle position, but they don’t pay me to think.
The 90th Ann. 4005 bass looks like a very smart way to cash in on the current short scale popularity boom in that it appears likely that you’d be able to use any regular/long scale string you want instead of being tied to short scale strings.
An added bonus, if these do go into non-limited production and many TBers buy them, we can have a greater data set for the string discussions regarding tension and other feel descriptors.
I think they’d do better to have one of the pickups move to the middle position, but they don’t pay me to think.
My first bass guitar was a National (map) Bass, with the 30.5" neck. After I played it for a while, I picked up a friend's Fender Precision and it was like picking up a log... Now however, I have a '63 Precision reissue and can't think how I ever played that stubby neck 
. This new Ric is good looking (as usual for a Ric), but I don't think it will be on my short list for my next bass purchase.
. This new Ric is good looking (as usual for a Ric), but I don't think it will be on my short list for my next bass purchase.
Looks like they just stuck a short scale bass neck on a 330 guitar body.
Ya wanna talk short scale Ric bass... I bought a Chinese knock-off of a 325 guitar and had it converted to a bass, 21" scale, I love it. I only play 21" to 24" scale bass.
Rickenbacker reveals limited-edition 90th anniversary 480XC and 4005XC models | Guitar World
Rickenbacker 90th Anniversary 4005XC | Reverb
I was interested until I saw this.
$5,149 ?
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When I was playing rhythm guitar from 1965 on, I was often told I should play bass because I had good tempo and feel, but when I looked at electric basses, I found them to be too cumbersome, with having to slide your hand up and down the neck so much, forget a stand up. Then in 2014, a year after I started playing ukulele with a 50 member group, the leader asked if anyone would like to take up the bass. When I looked around, I discovered bass ukes and mini bass guitars, so I went for it. I also have spinal cord nerve damage at my neck, so those sizes work very well for me.
Being a total gadget freak, I've accumulated 28 basses, some highly modified and custom made, which keeps me well occupied in my retirement.
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The standard Rick scale length is 33.25
I am far from an authority but afaik they do not/have not ever made 34 inch basses.
I am far from an authority but afaik they do not/have not ever made 34 inch basses.
Wooppiee..I'll mortgage my Aussie home..not lol..I'm happy with my 2017 4003 where I believe I paid less than half that price. I thought in the early 80's I was over paying for a Ric 4003 at about $600AUD second hand loll
This cost in the capture pic is about how much deposit I put down on my home in 1978 loll..and the extra shipping cost would probably pay for my divorce lolll
This cost in the capture pic is about how much deposit I put down on my home in 1978 loll..and the extra shipping cost would probably pay for my divorce lolll
I'd play it for sure. Gorgeous. I'm fine with short scale and I love my Rics. That price though...ouch.
Me Too! What is the thinking behind that? If it was a 2k price I could get behind it. Maybe they tried different scales and the one they chose had the best tone. Very surprised. I would pay their asking price for a 4002 Rickenbacker 4002 | Reverb
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