New Rickenbacker Bass

[kjp360]

As someone who likes Rics AND prefers a shorter scale, if it goes into regular production I would be interested. At 5k USD for the limited run I will leave it for the people who buy them then don't play them.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Almost had a major attack of gas. Too big, too expensive - for me. Very grateful for that . Plugged in to see how this goes for others. I'm sure some folks will love them!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Like most instruments, Ric has some well-heeled fans who can afford a 4005xc, but I suspect most will remain collector Case Queens, bought as investments. Ric charges what the market will bear, just like Fender and Gibson, who also sell special signature and anniversary runs at outrageous prices. Ric routinely sells out every bass they make, and all the special runs, so as a business model, it works. I can’t afford one, but I can’t afford a Fender David Gilmour signature Black Strat either.

 

[jeff7bass]

Love it but I could buy 5 other basses I really like for the same money, all of them good-to-great.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

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.

View attachment 4281144

I think that might be a fake

 

[Michael Ash]

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.

Ok, your turn to laugh... A few years ago I had a bass uke made for me! I still play it occasionally. I wanted something which sounded "sort of" like a double-bass. I was not willing to purchase a truck to haul around one of those... Looking at *fretted* examples of the extremely small bass guitars, I simply could not play one with the frets that close together as you go up the neck. Best to you.

 

[KohanMike]

I think that might be a fake

Did you miss where I said it's a knock-off guitar and that the headstock has Bassenfaker, or were you being facetious?

 

[Gearguy]

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.

 

[Gearguy]

It's very possible that the reason Rickenbacker chose the new 4005XC to be 'short scale" is to balance the weight, feel and look of the bass neck and headstock weight with the 330 body. Long scale might have been neck dive city...
The previous 4005 had a ridiculously long top horn to balance out the full scale neck (Rickenbacker 33 1/2") and huge seeming headstock. Would still love one of those but they go for $10k and up..

 

[WillyW]

You play a 21" to 24" bass... How?

hunch your shoulders in a little closer

 

[Gearguy]

Looks like they just stuck a short scale bass neck on a 330 guitar body.

Yes they did , and, IT'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS ! No problem there!

 

[Gearguy]

It's very possible that the reason Rickenbacker chose the new 4005XC to be 'short scale" is to balance the weight, feel and look of the bass neck and headstock weight with the 330 body. Long scale might have been neck dive city...
The previous 4005 had a ridiculously long top horn to balance out the full scale neck (Rickenbacker 33 1/2") and huge seeming headstock. Would still love one of those but they go for $10k and up..

Forgot to mention too, that short scale basses tend to be more punchy and deep sounding than "LongScale 34" basses.

 

[Jeff Scott]

The previous 4005 had a ridiculously long top horn to balance out the full scale neck (Rickenbacker 33 1/2") and huge seeming headstock.

Mine was very nicely balanced. And, the headstock is not "huge seeming..."; it is the same size and shape as others from its era ('60s) and very close to the current version, overall.

Notice that the end of the "ridiculously long top horn" is in between the 13th and 14th frets. It is not a "ridiculously long top horn".

7ender upper horns are around the 12th fret, maybe even slightly longer.

What is your experience with the 4005 model?

Oh, as others have mentioned, 33 1/4" scale length.