Another 4-2-5

[charlyg]

Ruin is a relative term. I love my 4-2-5 and glad to have it back! Dane says he has trouble with the string spacing, which surprises me because he has small hands and I thought he would have less trouble with the spacing. And see, the thing is, I can always have my headstock plugged (add walnut wings!), redrilled, and refinished to make it look "right" anytime I so desire! It just does not matter much in the real world. It stays in tune so I tune up once. The lower keys that are close are only a bother when tuning. And NO ONE in the audience has a clue there is anything at all strange about the bass.

[jwr2]

I'm not a 5 string guy, so I know very little about them, but I don't understand the whole string spacing bit on the 5er's.

I like small, thin necks, wouldn't thinner string spacing make a 5 string easier to play? I recently picked up a CHEAPIE Alvarez 5 string just to give it a try, and it is annoying because the spaces between the strings are HUGE! The only other 5er I had was an Alembic Essence, and that thing measured 3.5 inches at the 12th fret!
I just haven't had any luck with 5 strings. Did RIC make a 5er in the mid 80's? THAT would probably be one for me, I love the necks from that era.

I've been looking at those Epi T-birds ever since Jeff sold his green one. I REALLY liked the look of that bass.

Are you using the STOCK Epi pickups Jeff or did you swap them out with the Gibson ones? The ONLY reason I've resisted all this time is I hear they are on the heavy side. Anyone know if there is a HUGE difference between the EPI & the Gibson? Are the electronics the same, etc....

As far as string spacing goes on a 5 string bass my left hand wants the neck to be slim and have a nut less than 2" and my right hand wants somewhere in the range of 5/8" between strings at the bridge. If you are primarily a pick player then you may like a tighter spacing at the bridge. When I play 5 string basses with 2" nuts and 3/4" spacing at the bridge I get hand cramps. When I play an unmodified 4003s5 bass I have trouble getting my fingers between the strings. But when I widen the string spacing playing fingerstyle becomes easier.

Ya ... I liked the green 5 string fenderbird too ... it had a real in your face aggressive tone ...

On this fenderbird

I used epiphone t-bird pickups

When I do a 5 string version of the Entwistle Exploiter bass I will probably use 2 more epiphone t-bird pickups with a Ric hb1 pickup in the middle. Then the pickups will closely resemble the appearance of his Exploiter bass. I will wire it up with passive V,V,V,T controls.

[qwezirider]

I'm not a 5 string guy, so I know very little about them, but I don't understand the whole string spacing bit on the 5er's.

I like small, thin necks, wouldn't thinner string spacing make a 5 string easier to play?

It's a vague answer, but for me, it completely depends upon what I'm wanting to play. I had Charly's 4-2-5 for a while. String spacing-wise, it was a dream to play with everything so close in. At the same time, I couldn't do some things with it that I do with my Heartfield 5 stringer (which has a landing strip for a fretboard). So it's completely up to just what you're trying to accomplish. I was confortable playing in either world - close or wide spacing.

[mikeyjc]

Wow - it's (again) been a while since I visited or posted here - nice job Peter on the new look!

Jeff, I'm glad to hear things are going so well for you out west. Your 4-2-5 conversions are very sweet; I will definitely have you do one for me if my next Ric isn't as pristine as Tony C.'s (yes, I still have it).

Happy New Year to all!

- Mike

[jwr2]

Thanks for the kind words ... I am enjoying Denver a lot ...

[Aussiericlover]

Having had the new bass for 3 weeks It's time to update on my feelings on the mods. This has to be the best 5 string I have played. The string spacing while not vast suits my smallish fingers. Whether playing with fingers or a pick this spacing works well. Having owned a Warwick Streamer, I found the neck too wide to play comfortably. I have always found the 4004 neck very fast so assumed correctly that modifying to 5 string would work well. Jeff has supplied me with a 5 string Rickenbacker at a budget price that sounds sensational, looks mint, and is through and through, a Rickenbacker. I now own 4 4004's, 2 x Cheyenne and 2 x Laredos. If you don't have a 4004 in your arsenal do yourself a favour and get your hands on one ASAP. Thanks Jeff, your efforts are priceless.

[jwr2]

Thanks for the kind words ... I am glad you have a Ric 5 to play and enjoy ...

[jnbass]

New couch?