Ibanez, Warwick, Rickenbacker (backup redux)

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:04 pm

Ha! Got ya to look! In the saga of me finding a backup bass to use while I get some stuff done to the 4-2-5, I tried an Ibanez, but had difficulty with the neck. Then, on Saturday, I bought a Rock Bass, which seemed nice in the store. When I tried to put chromes on it, they wouldn't fit. That bass is $599, and I figured if it can't handle Chromes without a mod, I don't want it.

So.... there is a 4004cii Monte at P-O-R that I can maybe afford. Jeff says he could do a 4-2-5 on it. On my 4003FG, it got sent straight to him by the seller, i have never seen it as a 4. I'm thinking I will try this one out as a 4 for a bit, and see if I want to convert.

I would like some words of en/dis couragement from some of the guys, Joey, Gary, John A, Biscuits, Jps, etc. (forgive any left out, there's getting to be to darned many to fit all in) We already know what Jeff R thinks, DO IT!

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:31 pm

It looks like Mark Gilbert did a very nice job on the one I had. See if he would do it for you.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:35 pm

That bell does not ring a name? Or something like that. I did a search, now I remember. Sheesh I'm gettin old! He puts the tuner on the crest of the wave and Jeff is concerned about the strength at that point, so he does it at the bottom?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:30 pm

There are a lot of ways to skin a Rick

All depends on what floats your boat.

Charly, I am going to tell you...Do IT! Having just sold an Ibanez, I can tell you their resale value is dirt. A Rick will never be a money loser.

You could always string the 4004cii BEAD?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:59 pm

some people prefer putting the extra tuner on the bass side ... I prefer the treble side ... it is more for looks than structure ...

and on a 4004 I use this type of bridge which is narrow enough so the B and G strings have no dropoff in volume ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:02 pm

Whenever I take this bass out people rave about the looks and sound ...

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/98-4004ci5.htm

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:03 pm

Charly, i'm a recent 4004 convert who has seen the light! 4001's and 4003's are nice but the 4004 is a great alternative - still a Ric, just something different!

Some don't like the HB-1's. I do, but they're not for everything. That's why it's nice to have two 4004's with different pickups.

But seriously - a HB-1 in the bridge and a Toaster at the neck, strung with Chromes, would be one helluva bass! Totally ballsy at the bridge, but can get that Macca sound going with the Toaster soloed.

Go for it!

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:15 pm

It's gonna be a go! I LOVE Jeff's! I can maybe get used to Monte, although it is a bit stripey. The cool thing is, I now know a few refinish guys who can do anything I want!

http://www.pickofthericks.com/4000_Series_split1.htm

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:17 pm

Way to go Charly! Funny, we were just talking about this one in another thread. Everyone was pretty surprised that it hasn't sold yet.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:22 pm

I fell in love with Joey's 5'ers at the first SoCal Confluence! .Well, not the volume issue, just the playability. Never thought i would be able to afford one. And since I like thin necks on my 5'ers, Jeff's mod was made for me! A thick (relatively now, not P-bass thick) necked 4 makes a Perfect 5!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:39 pm

I think Mike Parks has 2 used 4004 basses ... one is mapleglo ... the mapleglo 4004cii would look great with black hardware ...

this one here is one of my all time favorite Ric basses for looks, ease of play and quality of sound ...

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:43 pm

Way to go Charly. Put Chromes on that baby and see if it isn't just what the doctor ordered. Consider B-E-A-D on her and I can only imagine the low thunder. I think you will really like the tone. Mine with the HB1s and Chromes and the concentric knobs with the tone on the neck just a tad over half and the other three controls wide open is a really nice sound.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:46 pm

I agree, Jeff. The 4004C in all walnut and maple fretboard is a real looker. And the sound is Rick but different and very desirable.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:47 pm

It's hard to imagine no G string. I throw triplets, like trumpets would, in between phrases, once in a while. It is my trombone upbringing. I just know when a song needs more notes!!!

It is true, I never go above the 12th on G,mostly just E, so I could "make do"!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:48 pm

John B. - Mike Parks has a 4004Cii BB coming in!