4003s5

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:55 pm

The 5stringer came in.the string spacing is a little close,Jeff what do you recommend??

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:37 pm

I know I'm not the Jeff you're looking for, but if you can't handle the spacing, I'd sell it, rather than ruin its collector value trying to fix the intended design.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:43 pm

I second that, better you should get a Rathenbacker than modify that one.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:48 pm

Im not going to modify it I might change the bridge or the sattles,are you guys nuts?What did you think I was going to do start routing it out for a badass or something,noway.

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:51 pm

And you've never modded any of your 'Vettes?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:58 pm

Tri-Power?

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:25 pm

Ken, the best thing you can do is replace the exiting saddles (at least the B, E, D & G string ones) with all new uncut saddles, then trim and notch them yourself so the strings can be a bit further apart than they are now. As long as you keep the old saddles, it's a harmless reversible mod. Most people probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:27 pm

Are the S5 saddles still available?

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:33 pm

The S5 saddles are discontinued. I just grab a regular saddle in a pair of vice grips and cut about 1/16" off each end with a cut off disc in my Dremmel.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:35 pm

I don't think the S5 size saddles are available. You probably would have to clamp the standard saddle in a vise and use a dremel loaded with a cutting wheel to trim it down. There might be other ways of doing it also.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:47 pm

Jeff Rath has my drummer, who is a machinist, make them for him. He has it down to where they make them perfectly with no slot and Jeff slots them as need be.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:47 pm

Ken, I recommend you send it to me immediately. I'll play it for a while and then diagnose the problem....

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:58 pm

Ken, I lost track of all the basses you just purchased. Is this the "Blackstar" 5 banger??

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:34 pm

I have a few sets of stainless steel replacement saddles that were made by Steve's drummer ... they have screws and springs and are a drop in replacement ... all you have to do is cut the grooves ... I do this mod to every 4003 5 string bass I ow... the 4003s5 comes from the factory with a 2 1/16" spacing ... this is ok for picks but too tight for most finger players ... with my mod you can get 2 1/4" which is still kind of tight but much more comfortable ... when I mod a 4004 or a 2000 series bass I make the spacing 2 3/8" and fended 4-2-5 basses are 2 1/2" ... you can get 2 3/8" on a 4003 but you start to get too wide for the high gain pickups ... the reason I can get 2 3/8" on the 4004 is the hb1 pickups ... if 2 1/4" is too tight then get a 4004CII5 ... but you have to wait for a while to get one ...

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:53 pm

Thanks for your comments guys and I think Jeff R. has it down to a T,Jeff are you willing to let a set go? and JPS, no I never modded a corvette besides making my 2000 into a convertible from a hard top.Dave its this one.