Rickenbacker 4005XC?

[dlmarquez]

Showing my abysmal ignorance here! I was flummoxed to discover that Rickenbacker is making a short scale semi-acoustic bass. What are they like? Who might I know pf that plays one? Anyone here care to share their review or ownership experience? They are damned expensive, but…….
Color me VERY curious

 

[nixdad]

Showing my abysmal ignorance here! I was flummoxed to discover that Rickenbacker is making a short scale semi-acoustic bass. What are they like? Who might I know pf that plays one? Anyone here care to share their review or ownership experience? They are damned expensive, but…….
Color me VERY curious

Are you still interested in the 4005XC?

I just got one, so I’ll gladly provide honest feedback if you’re still considering.

 

[lowendblues]

flummoxed. I love it.

 

[Green Knight]

I want one even though nobody seems to LOVE theirs unqualifiedly.

EDIT: Search yields several results; here's a particularly well-written one: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-rickenbacker-4005xc-day-2-impressions.1556962/

 

[nixdad]

I want one even though nobody seems to LOVE theirs unqualifiedly.

EDIT: Search yields several results; here's a particularly well-written one: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-rickenbacker-4005xc-day-2-impressions.1556962/

+1

 

[Green Knight]

+1

What was your experience? I’m interested mostly in the tone!

 

[nixdad]

What was your experience? I’m interested mostly in the tone!

I'll keep you posted, @Green Knight, but I'm very impressed so far. The bass is gorgeous, and has a very comfortable D-shaped neck like my '14 4003. The bass was shipped with roundwound strings, so I just restrung yesterday with Thomastik flats (as I have on both of my 4003 basses.) BTW, even though this is a short scale bass, it requires long scale strings. (Tip: Thomastik JF344's are currently on sale on Amazon for $66.)

To me, it's a no brainer that these basses really shine when strung with flats. Not only that, but trust me, you'll only want to restring this bass once. Both the "R" tail piece and flat tailpiece have their restringing challenges, however, the flat tailpiece allows you to string from the top allowing visibility to the ball end. Restringing the G, D & A strings were not a problem, but stringing the E through the tailpiece required lubricating the colored wrap on both ends of the string. If it didn't have its quirks, it wouldn't be a Ric.

A few photos before restringing:

BTW, thanks to Talkbass I found a killer gig bag for the 4005XC.

Stay tuned...

 

[Green Knight]

Is it bright and articulate or darker/thumpier than your average Ric?

 

[Green Knight]

I’d want black too!

 

[nixdad]

Is it bright and articulate or darker/thumpier than your average Ric?

I'll do some testing over the next few days and let you know the results.

I’d want black too!

Both the Jetglo and Fireglo are incredibly handsome. I already have a Fireglo 4003, so I opted for this Jetglo which was "Lennonized." The previous owner made the exact same modifications (gold pickguards & TV knobs) I would have made, so it seems it was meant to be.

 

[nixdad]

Is it bright and articulate or darker/thumpier than your average Ric?

OK, I finally A/B'd the 4005XC and my 4003.
To answer your question: To me, this bass can be either bright and articulate OR dark and thumpy, and always retains that distinctive semi-hollow tone. Granted, the TI flats on my 4003 are nearly 10 years old and the set on my XC are brand new and much brighter, but they will settle in nicely as they age and gain even more warmth and character.

I really look forward to performing with the XC this spring!

 

[nixdad]

Thanks to the Jack Casady Gig Bag thread from 2021 (https://www.talkbass.com/threads/jack-casady-gig-bag.1514875/#post-27805328), I found the perfect gig bag for either the Rickenbacker 4005XC or an original 4005.

This is the Road Runner Highway Premium Electric Bass Gig Bag, which comes in black or espresso brown. I chose brown:


This is definitely not your average gig bag. The well-made bag is deep and well padded with a thick handle, and all zippers are solid. When unzipped, the top portion of the bag features a full-length accessory compartment with plenty of room for cables, strap, strings, etc.

The main compartment is very well padded neck support with a velcro neck strap. It's a snug fit for an XC, but it works quite well. No worries at all for local work.

The real secret weapon is the removable pad at the bottom of the bag. The pad attaches to the bottom of the interior with velcro, and has a zipper to access the interior padding. It even has a notch for the strap button.

When unzipped, 2 separate foam pads are revealed, along with a thinner foam liner.

Although the white foam pads are glued in place, they are easily separated from the liner if need to accommodate a standard 4005 which is a bit longer than the XC. Simply remove the white pads and re-velcro in place.

Great bag, and highly recommended. It's only $120 at GC or MF. I paid $99. This bag will work for most basses.

NEWSFLASH: Upon checking GC's website, this bag (brown or black) is currently on sale at 40% off for $79!
Road Runner RR5TEB-ESP Highway Premium Electric Bass Gig Bag Espresso | Guitar Center

 

[Ron mcgee]

I'll keep you posted, @Green Knight, but I'm very impressed so far. The bass is gorgeous, and has a very comfortable D-shaped neck like my '14 4003. The bass was shipped with roundwound strings, so I just restrung yesterday with Thomastik flats (as I have on both of my 4003 basses.) BTW, even though this is a short scale bass, it requires long scale strings. (Tip: Thomastik JF344's are currently on sale on Amazon for $66.)

To me, it's a no brainer that these basses really shine when strung with flats. Not only that, but trust me, you'll only want to restring this bass once. Both the "R" tail piece and flat tailpiece have their restringing challenges, however, the flat tailpiece allows you to string from the top allowing visibility to the ball end. Restringing the G, D & A strings were not a problem, but stringing the E through the tailpiece required lubricating the colored wrap on both ends of the string. If it didn't have its quirks, it wouldn't be a Ric.

A few photos before restringing:
View attachment 5297813
View attachment 5297814

BTW, thanks to Talkbass I found a killer gig bag for the 4005XC.

Stay tuned...

When you changed to the Thomastik Infeld flats did you have to adjust the truss rod at all I have my 2005xc on the way and love the TI’s thanx Eon

 

[nixdad]

When you changed to the Thomastik Infeld flats did you have to adjust the truss rod at all I have my 2005xc on the way and love the TI’s thanx Eon

Hi Ron -
I bought my XC used and it arrived with rounds. No, I did not need to adjust the truss rod at all once I installed the TI Flats.

Now my 4005V was a different story. I bought it new, but it clearly was not set up by the dealer before it was shipped. It arrived with round wounds and was a mess - lots of rattling. I installed TI Flats on this bass as well. It one required a bit of adjustment both on the bridge height and the truss rod which is not hard, it just takes patience. Both the XC's and the V's have their new single truss rod which easily adjusts with the included Allen wrench, so no special tool was required (like on previous Rics with the double truss rod.)

Some dealers are known for doing professional set ups before they ship. Which dealer did you buy it from?

Chris

 

[Ron mcgee]

Hi Ron -
I bought my XC used and it arrived with rounds. No, I did not need to adjust the truss rod at all once I installed the TI Flats.

Now my 4005V was a different story. I bought it new, but it clearly was not set up by the dealer before it was shipped. It arrived with round wounds and was a mess - lots of rattling. I installed TI Flats on this bass as well. It one required a bit of adjustment both on the bridge height and the truss rod which is not hard, it just takes patience. Both the XC's and the V's have their new single truss rod which easily adjusts with the included Allen wrench, so no special tool was required (like on previous Rics with the double truss rod.)

Some dealers are known for doing professional set ups before they ship. Which dealer did you buy it from?

Chris

Fullers guitars in Texas on reverb they have very high reviews, very fast shipper customer service was great ,will be here this Thursday glad to hear no truss rod change I’ve done it many times