The Rickenbacker Club!

[danomar]

Not enough hollowbodies in this thread, so here are some pics of my 1967 4005H.

I found it in a pawn shop back in the mid-Eighties and bought it (and the original case) for something around $250. It scares me to think of what it is worth now.

It is almost entirely stock. I did re-wire the pickups to a stereo output jack so that I can get that Rick-O-Sound effect. The small blend pot was replaced with a switch to go from mono to stereo so that I don't have to carry cable converters. The 'stereo' output is especially cool when running the neck pickup thorugh an EQ and the rear pickup through a chorus.

And the pickups have six pole pieces. I remember there was a minor controversy about early 4005's using guitar pickups. Maybe they are wired differently, but there are definitely six pole magnets in each of mine.

How does it sound? Like nothing else.
d

 

[mobis.fr]

Not enough hollowbodies in this thread, so here are some pics of my 1967 4005H.

I found it in a pawn shop back in the mid-Eighties and bought it (and the original case) for something around $250. It scares me to think of what it is worth now.

It is almost entirely stock. I did re-wire the pickups to a stereo output jack so that I can get that Rick-O-Sound effect. The small blend pot was replaced with a switch to go from mono to stereo so that I don't have to carry cable converters. The 'stereo' output is especially cool when running the neck pickup thorugh an EQ and the rear pickup through a chorus.

And the pickups have six pole pieces. I remember there was a minor controversy about early 4005's using guitar pickups. Maybe they are wired differently, but there are definitely six pole magnets in each of mine.

How does it sound? Like nothing else.
d

there is one of these on the german ebay...
but it is already above the 4000€ mark, wich is about $5700
link

 

[Panda Licker]

I'm not a very godly man

but every once in a while I find myself praying to the lord above

that they'll reissue the 4005

 

[tomersg]

Not enough hollowbodies in this thread, so here are some pics of my 1967 4005H.

there are not enough 4005's in this world...
and Rickenbacker would not make any reissues of them.
boomer...
beautiful bass.

 

[zipflint]

Indeed, I've always been REALLY curious about these. They are truly gorgeous and would have, I'm guessing, quite a unique sound. I'm pretty sure I've never heard one solo. And I've for sure never seen one in person. I've seen some of the Ric guitars from that era, but never one of these basses.

 

[Wademeister63]

photoshop to the rescue! [hold on, lemme see how my rick would look as with my avatar! ]


edit: NICE!!

Photochop?!? Forgot this one already? I haven't been on TB much lately but this girl still gets her share of playtime

 

[Chronicle]

haha yeah i remember that beauty but your rick is amber fireglo so it's hawter

 

[danomar]

Indeed, I've always been REALLY curious about these. They are truly gorgeous and would have, I'm guessing, quite a unique sound. I'm pretty sure I've never heard one solo. And I've for sure never seen one in person. I've seen some of the Ric guitars from that era, but never one of these basses.

I felt sorry (really, no sarcasm) for those of you who have never experienced a Rickenbacker 4005 in person, so I picked a dozen samples of recordings I made with it. Recording quality and performance quality vary, and I do not pretend to be a great bassist, but the tracks give an idea of what a 4005 sounds like.

Link Removed
http://fc.chatlanta.org/~dan_spiegel/Rick4005-2.zip

The first is a 15Mb archive of mp3's and the second is about 28Mb in size. It usually takes a little while for the download to start, so be patient.

To dispel some of the myth, although the 4005 is indisputably unique, it also is fairly difficult to match with an amp. The low lows are great but mid-low bass is weak. Mid and high-mid tones are exceptional. It demands careful attention to tone settings and demands very precise tonal control to get all the sound out of it. On the other hand, playing through the top pickup alone and using careful technique, the 4005 nearly emulates the sound of an upright. It does not pop and snap very well, but it does both uniquely.

I rarely use a pick with the 4005. It doesn't need any more snap. Strings are a bit tricky for me. The last set I really liked were Dean Markley Ground Wounds, but those are no longer made. D'Addario Half Rounds are okay, but I am waiting for a set of Dean Markley Fretmasters. From what I have read, the 4005 was originally conceived to emulate the sound of an upright but then evolved into something else. It does indeed sound wonderfully acoustic with flatwound strings.

The sustain is surprising, and feedback is more for fun than a problem with me. It rarely feeds back unless I want it, and then things get pretty interesting. The pickups are very microphonic so one can play with feedback a bit.

The bass is very light and generally well balanced. Much lighter than a 4001/3/5 of course. Tuning requires at least two passes because the bridgepiece moves a little, so tightening the G string usually affects the E string and vice-versa. It stays in tune very well overall. Neck action is a bit lighter than a 4001/3/5 and the neck is a bit narrower by my recollection, but I could be wrong. It has twin truss rods, natch.

I can't think of much else to write. Hope this gives 4005 fans an idea of what it is like.
d

 

[zipflint]

Thanks heaps for posting the clips! I really like the sound you're getting. It's interesting, sometimes I think I could definitely pick that out as a Ric, other times I'm not so sure that I could. I dig it very much, I know that!

 

[HELLonWHEELS]

My rick-P creation

 

[MaskedJackal]

^ Uh....what? :\

 

[Chronicle]

That is a Rick-turn off.

 

[tomersg]

rickenfacker rickenfender... why like this? its abomination..
danomar - thanks for the clips.i would download them and listen to them soon.
did you try black nylon bass string? Ric used to sold those. there was one set at Ric outlet ebay store.
but there are other manufacturers who sell them.
Paul McCartney use them on his Hofner at let it be movie.
i put fender black nylon flat wounds on my Hofner copy and my fretless Warwick streamer and have very good experience with them. they are very good for hollow-bodies, fretless and to get that fat vintage tone.

 

[Outerson]

Not enough hollowbodies in this thread, so here are some pics of my 1967 4005H.

I found it in a pawn shop back in the mid-Eighties and bought it (and the original case) for something around $250. It scares me to think of what it is worth now.

It is almost entirely stock. I did re-wire the pickups to a stereo output jack so that I can get that Rick-O-Sound effect. The small blend pot was replaced with a switch to go from mono to stereo so that I don't have to carry cable converters. The 'stereo' output is especially cool when running the neck pickup thorugh an EQ and the rear pickup through a chorus.

And the pickups have six pole pieces. I remember there was a minor controversy about early 4005's using guitar pickups. Maybe they are wired differently, but there are definitely six pole magnets in each of mine.

How does it sound? Like nothing else.
d

The 4005 has recently become an obsession of mine. It's tough to find photos of these online!! What a gorgeous guitar. I must say, I'm very jealous...

 

[Wayauste]

Quick question for the guys who have replaced the bridge pickup surround with a plastic cover, like this one from pickguardian

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What did you do with the ground wire from the bridge pickup, since there isnt metal on the surround anymore? Should it be routed somewhere else? Is this the main ground wire for the bass? (I havent checked for a ground under the bridge.)

I have just left the wire where it was initially, on the screw between the plastic surround and the spring. I do get hum from both pickups depending on which direction im facing in realtion to other electronics but it doesnt seem any worse than with the metal surround and cover on , and the hum will stop when I touch metal on the bass...but again it isn't bad.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[2nd Wind]

And the pickups have six pole pieces. I remember there was a minor controversy about early 4005's using guitar pickups. Maybe they are wired differently, but there are definitely six pole magnets in each of mine.

danomar, all Rick toaster pickups have the 6 alnico5 magnet poles. Always have, always will.

Beautiful bass you have, and I agree, they sound like nothing else.

 

[whitespike]

Man, I would love to own a 4005. Geez, the one posted above is sweeeeeeeet.

Well, today I strung up my 4003S with flats for the first time of the 12 years I've owned it. I think I may be a convert. Between the flats and the built-in mute this thing sounds as oldschool brit as you get. Anyone else use it like this?

 

[RickenBoogie]

My rick-P creation

I don't know, but for some odd reason, I find this monster attractive. Must be getting old, I guess, but damn, that thing is so odd, it's cool.

 

[bocasfx]

Here's my contribution to the club, my new JetGlo 4003!
Unbelievable bass, this thing rocks!

 

[Bass'ofdiablos]

Hello everyone, am a bit new at this forum stuff so bare with me.

Yes i have been searching for a lefthanded ric for about 4 years. Been saving the whole time and by pure luck i found one on ebay. We are just waiting for the money to go thro but then it's on it's way to me.

As far as i know it's from 1990. looks really nice, and looking thro the other posts i see another pic of one just like it.

I'm very excited and can't wait!!!!