Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
THE RETURN OF THE RICKENBACKER 4005
- Thread starter GodsLove66
- Start date
Good description. Yep, it's certainly more versatile than you'd think.
The 5th blend knob adds unexpected dimension as well. 
Perfect examples, Jeff!
Hey! I just noticed there's a jack where the blend knob would have been on your '67. Did you modify the bass, or was it this way when you bought it?
Last edited:
That ROS jack was there when I bought the bass in '73. I made a ROS box in the early '80s (not sure if it's still around) and did use it a couple of times just to check it out, but that's all I ever did with it.
When I still had the MG March '73 4001 I ran it from the ROS out to the stereo-in on my Strymon Flint a few times (I don't recall if I made any recordings, though).
I don't currently have any ROS capable basses; if I did I would make a new ROS box with the case of the MXR Phase 90 I bought in 1974; the pedal died so I gutted it and kept the case for a possible future project. I'm still waiting for that future to arrive!
@Bass4ThePublic - I run mine through the JHS Punchline bass station. Believe me, this was the tool I never knew I needed.
It was actually a gift that I thought I would return, but man, after playing through this thing I was hooked. It's easy to use (it took me 5 minutes to get a killer tone, and I haven't changed my settings since.) I've had this since June, and have played indoor and outdoor gigs ranging from 100 people to 4,000 people. My sound on stage and through the FOH has never been better. 
I'll tell you how good this is - over the past few months, 6 of my friends (most are TB members) + my son (who plays 125+ gigs a year in 4 bands) have all bought one and now swear by it.
In a nutshell, it emulates the signal chain used in the studio by The Wrecking Crew. It includes a simple preamp/EQ, Amp Simulator, Drive, Compressor and a D.I. It's a limited run item (only 1,000 made) exclusive to Sweetwater. They're almost sold out, so don't wait if you're interested.
Check out these videos to see (and hear) for yourself:
You can thank me later!
Last edited:
@Bass4ThePublic - I run mine through the JHS Punchline bass station. Believe me, this was the tool I never knew I needed.
I'll tell you how good this is - over the past few months, 6 of my friends (most are TB members) + my son (who plays 125+ gigs a year in 4 bands) have all bought one and now swear by it.
In a nutshell, it emulates the signal chain used in the studio by The Wrecking Crew. It includes a simple preamp/EQ, Amp Simulator, Drive, Compressor and a D.I. It's a limited run item (only 1,000 made) exclusive to Sweetwater. They're almost sold out, so don't wait if you're interested.
Check out these videos to see (and hear) for yourself:
You can thank me later!
Ooh, very cool. I've been gas'ing for this and I guess now is the perfect excuse. Maybe next Friday when I get paid.
I bet it sounds a lot better/nicer, though.
It sounds very nice for sure. Very unique and while not a 4001/3, very Ric-ish sound. I'd say the sound compliments my arsenal of Fenders very well. It sounds different is all I can really say. My Fenders sound like Fenders, my Ric sounds like a Ric. Both are very welcome in my bass lineup
I have owned more 7enders and CLF related basses (G&L, EBMM) that one can shake a stick at (I think one of my grandfathers used to say that); these days I do without, though.
It sounds very nice for sure. Very unique and while not a 4001/3, very Ric-ish sound. I'd say the sound compliments my arsenal of Fenders very well. It sounds different is all I can really say. My Fenders sound like Fenders, my Ric sounds like a Ric. Both are very welcome in my bass lineup
I don't have any recordings (that I recall) of the 4005WB with TI Jazz Flats, but here is a photo of it being played in April '09.
This photo was made a couple months after the bass was "passed on" to its current caretaker.
This photo was made a couple months after the bass was "passed on" to its current caretaker.
Got some TI's ordered. Should be here Monday. Solved my volume issue, I left my amp in "active" mode, lol. Bass is nice and loud, still a little quieter than my Fenders though but it's not a crazy difference.
The blend knob is very useful, while the switch is kind of interesting, as the blend knob does something different on the neck position. Feels like a mid sweep or cut? Whatever it is, it's really cool
The blend knob is very useful, while the switch is kind of interesting, as the blend knob does something different on the neck position. Feels like a mid sweep or cut? Whatever it is, it's really cool
Ti's are on…. I should've put these on from the get-go. Whata lovely combo. What are yall setting the neck relief to? I put these flats and and still have quite a bit of buzz. I set the neck relief to about 10 thousandths of an inch.
Glad you like the JFs. I felt the same way when after a few years with XLs on my fretless Martin Keith Elfin 5 I finally put the JFs on it. Great combination. I've been using JFs and JRs since the mid '00s on several other basses.
As to relief, set the neck to what you like, but you may need to raise the action a bit to compensate for the strings' lower tension. Don't worry, they'll still feel and sound fantastic.
I'm glad you like them as well! Yeah, TI's are hard to beat.
What Jeff states here is right on the money. Set it up the best you can, then leave it to settle in for a day. Make any final adjustments the next day as required.
My bass plays and sounds GREAT! I think your experience will be similar.
Yeah… still a lot of buzz from these TI's. I think I'm going to try OPTIMA RB or maybe labellas if these dont settle down here in a week or so. It's a ric, it's gonna buzz a little right, but I can't have my entire bass tone taken over by an annoying zzzzzzzzzzz sound.
Perhaps your ideal action/relief is too optimistic for very low tension strings? I have them on my SNG 4004L and they action is quite low (for my preference) and no buzzing unless I am more aggressive than I normally am (my playing, not me, personally
).
Well, I've played with the relief in both directions, making the neck curved and straight. Right now I have the action at 3/32" at the 12th fret with the neck almost flat, probably about 8-10 thousandths of an inch. A little high but I can't get all of the buzz out, lol.
New flats are typically pretty buzzy, so are new rounds. Plus, I really didnt play Ricks until I got this, so It's likely my technique. It usually takes me a month or so of constantly playing for me and my hand to totally get used to an instrument.
New flats are typically pretty buzzy, so are new rounds. Plus, I really didnt play Ricks until I got this, so It's likely my technique. It usually takes me a month or so of constantly playing for me and my hand to totally get used to an instrument.
Where on the neck is it buzzing? Close to the nut, only on high frets, evenly everywhere up and down?
I think the general rule is: if it buzzes only near the nut, increase relief; if it buzzes only on high frets decrease relief; then adjust the action. Repeat this until you think you've gotten as close to your ideal as possible.
This process can take days, literally, as you wait for the neck to respond. Don't try to get too much adjustment at once, you'll just have to adjust it back. I got too hasty with one of my basses recently.
Another thing that I truly love about the 4005V is how LOUD it is acoustically.
No, it's not as loud as other "true" acoustic basses and you wouldn't use in an acoustic jam without an amp, but what a joy it is to occasionally strap this up and sit in front of the TV and play with a pick without having to plug it in. The shallow neck is sooooo easy to play.
No, it's not as loud as other "true" acoustic basses and you wouldn't use in an acoustic jam without an amp, but what a joy it is to occasionally strap this up and sit in front of the TV and play with a pick without having to plug it in. The shallow neck is sooooo easy to play.
D
^^^^^
You got the Green one, Greenglo? That thing is awesome. Congratulations on snagging it.
You got the Green one, Greenglo? That thing is awesome. Congratulations on snagging it.
