5 String Conversion

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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aceonbass
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Post by aceonbass »

Bob, it's a pretty easy fix to fill the extra tuner hole and have the headstock refinished. After that, it's just a matter of swapping out parts. I just can't leave anything stock so I mod things to fit my needs because I know I'll never sell them. Now if Mr.Rath had done a 4-2-5 on his '68 4001, I'd be with you!
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atomic_punk
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Post by atomic_punk »

99%.......that's a big number. They sure do sell a lot of effects processors and other brands of amps to the 1%...Not everyone can afford or want to lug around vintage SVT's to get a great sound.

What I am saying is what Jeff said also. He loves Ricks, he wants to play a 5-string, the company hasn't produced a 5-string in any quantity for 4-5 years now, what's a boy to do?

Necessity is the mother of invention.

That being said, Jeff's 5's are great players and there is an unsatisfied market for others who seem to want them for their needs. He has converted mainly basses that are standard models, standard colors, nothing crazy vintage or irreplacable, and it's what he needs for his sound, just like some people need SVT's and certain strings. It's all about gettin' your groove on the way YOU want to do it.

'Nuff said.
"They make great f***'n basses". - Lemmy, NAMM 2009
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

I do the 4-2-5 conversions mainly for myself ... I have sold 3 4-2-5 rics and 2 slightly modified 4003s5 basses ... and a couple fender style 4-2-5's ... but I am not quitting my day job ... I am not mass producing these babies ... there are thousands of 4003 basses out there so there will be plenty of 4 string rics for you 4 banger types ... I am not a luthier ... but I am a "Do it Yourself" kind of guy ... when the manufacturer doesn't make what I want I change it to suit my needs ...
jwr2

Post by jwr2 »

also it costs about $300 +/- parts and labor for me to convert a 4 string to a 5 string ...

and Bob a SVT is a great amp and a 4 string ric is a great bass ... but I need a low B and a bass pod to complete my sound ... and the SVT cabinet won't fit in my car ... I can get enough volume with 4x10's ...

I realize that I am not mainstream ... most bass players don't have only 5 string basses ...
rictified
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Post by rictified »

haha! got you guys going for a while! No,seriously although this is a very different case I was thinking about the 4005 that had the Gibson humbuckers in it the other day.
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