8 string 4005

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:07 pm

I got this email from a guy who saw my web site ... I invited him to visit this Ric website here ... I thought you guys would like this story ...
**************************************

HI

Found your GREAT website from eBay 5 string bass you have FS

I have been trying to find someone who knows or remembers the old Rickenbacker Basses Maybe you are the one ... back in the early 70 - 71 I owned / played an 8 string Ricky

sold it - like a dumby in 1972 to a friend who was so strung out on the wacky weed, he doesn't remember what happened to it hell he doesn't even remember the years 1971 and 72 ..> !!!

so do you recall or maybe even have seen one ???

it was strung just like the 10 string you have on the website octaves above each of the 4 main strings played hard but sounded great we were into the Byrds and it was a good / fun bass

I wanted to buy an upright to do some bluegrass stuff and sold the 8 string

Now, 35 years later - wish I had it back, the way it always goes !!! see picture - only one I have of the 8 stringer can you help find one ???

Remember, Life's too short to drive boring cars !!! Until then... I'm wavin'

Tom Y.

www.midstateaac.org

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:26 pm

Tom had better have saved his pennies. It'll cost him $19,500 to get the same bass back today!

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=839012

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:27 pm

That one had dot inlays. Rare bird, indeed.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:29 pm

His has a dot neck. Interesting.

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:31 pm

Good pick up, Scott and Ted!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:00 pm

That is possibly a later one. At some point Rickenbacker used dot fingerboards on all bass models with more than 4 strings. The triangle inlays and binding take a lot of strength away from the fingerboard.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:47 pm

It has 21 frets and a third dot marker at the 19th fret, unlike the 60's dot inlay necks from the RM basses/4001S which only have the two beyond the 12 fret. A very cool bass especially with "THE" headstock design for an eight string.

That could quite possibly be a one off...

Poor Tom. That really is one "that got away"...

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:34 am

WOW

That has to be a one of a kind....

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:38 am

I wonder if that's the same one.... Hmmm...

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:38 am

Yeah. Poor Tom. That thing is ultra-cool. He probably sold it for milk-money too(or something else!) If only there was a Lo-Jack on it!

I'll bet the poor thing is landfill today.

One more unique feature on this one: A zero fret!

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:41 am

"One more unique feature on this one: A zero fret!"

Good eye Jeff...I missed that one....

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:00 am

There is a picture of one just like it in the Smith book that seems to be a medium scale bass from the location of the bridge.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:10 am

I wonder how many "4005/8 were made...

Guesses anyone??????

I know of 6 for sure...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:25 am

I wonder where it is today ????

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:27 am

Jeff wrote There is a picture of one just like it in the Smith book that seems to be a medium scale bass from the location of the bridge...

Yes I think it may be that very bass. If we had a better pic of the body we'd know for sure. That's a great bass.