Rickenbacker sound

[embellisher]

I have recently fallen in love with the sound of a Rick, played with a pick.

Like Chris Squire, and Dave Meros.

But I like 5 stringers with at least 17mm string spacing.

Is there anything else that will get that luscious Rick tone?

 

[HeavyDuty]

Hmmm. How about building a Warmoth custom with a maple body and using Ric pickups in the proper position? I would think that'd get you most of the way there.

 

[CS]

I have recently fallen in love with the sound of a Rick, played with a pick.

Like Chris Squire, and Dave Meros.

But I like 5 stringers with at least 17mm string spacing.

Is there anything else that will get that luscious Rick tone?

Rickenbacker made a 5 string bass for a couple of years, the 4003S/5. I found a spec sheet so you can see if you can live with the looks/spacing or not.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[lsu921]

I tried for years to get a Ric sound without actually buying one. Never happened. I bought a 4003 last year. That's the only way the get "that" sound. They did make a 5 string, and they show up on eBay on occasion. Usually in the 1500 range, but the spacing is tight. The 4 strings spacing is tight, and I hear the 5 is even tighter.

 

[Surferboy]

Something like this?:

By Sandberg

 

[Jacob Bartfield]

What the......?!

 

[LowEndLobster]

Something like this?:

By Sandberg

I checked the german site that was hosted in. It's supposedly a special edition model "Rick 2004".. I looked it up online, and there's nothing listed.

 

[KeithPas]

I don't think that Ric looking five string is really a Ric. But I bet it sounds good.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Whoops. I misread. It's a Sandberg Ric copy. Yes.

 

[monkeyfinger]

Ric no longer makes a 4003/5. They now make a 4004/5 Cheyenne II. I have not heard anything about this bass, so I cannot comment on it. I did notice in the specs that it has a 33-1/4" scale like all Rics. Not to sure how that would work on a 5 string.

 

[ihixulu]

When I first started looking at 5ers, I had the chance to try out a used Ric 5 that was at a local store. Absolutely the worst 5 in that price range, IMO. They basically crammed 5 strings onto a regular 4 string neck resulting in spacing that was more like a baritone guitar than bass. So not fun to play that it was hard to even start listening to the tone whiach was just ok.

Which is a shame because Rics do have a distinctive and attractive tone....

 

[monkeyfinger]

The Cheyenne II supposedly has a more normal string spacing. Still, I don't think a 5 string is Ric's thing. I am not convinced that they could do a credible job.

 

[B'Aces High]

The CII can come with 5 strings but its pickup config is alot different than a traditional RIC 4003/4001. I havent played one...but from what i hear...they dont have the traditional RIC sound, but a sound all unto their own.

I honestly think the best thing to do is to find a used 4003/S5 someplace (www.ricpage.com might have one) and adapt to the string spacing if you can.

 

[bazzanderson]

I had the 4003S/5 for a while. The most expensive piece of **** I've ever owned...and I absolutely LOVE Rics. They didn't put any thought into that model at all. Spacing is just ridiculously tight and the scale length left alot to be desired for B string tone. I'm interested in hearing the 5 string Cheyenne model but I'm still skeptical about the scale length.
-Bazz-

 

[phxlbrmpf]

Man, that Sandberg Rick copy looks wicked. I've always had a thing for Sandberg basses.

 

[embellisher]

Darn. I knew that this would probably be the answer when I posted this thread. The 4003S/5 is out of the question. The string spacing is much too narrow.

If I wasn't so hung up on 5 stringers, I would just find a used 4001/4003. But I just need that low B.

 

[tplyons]

String BEAD, I hear those things growl nicely when tuned low

 

[embellisher]

Naw, I need a G string too.

 

[tplyons]

Naw, I need a G string too.

Put it on under the pants, noone has to see it!

 

[floydbass]

Naw, I need a G string too.

tune BADG, and just olay what you need from the E on the B string.