Weird vintage case problem

[jakeox]

I am not familiar with different "size" 4005s. but you never know. Have you considered the possibility of this case being for a 3000 series?

Could be. This is what the guy I bought it from sent when I mentioned it wasn't fitting any of my 4001/4003s: "I called the previous owner but he didn't remember what model it was but it was a hollow body Rickenbacker bass." Now if he didn't know the model number, then he could well be wrong, but the hollow body part is what got me thinking.

[BlueAngel]

As far as I know there is only one Rick hollowbody bass - the 4005. That would make sense from the case dimensions and from the position of the neck slot - since the 4005 body is wider, the neck position at the body end (relative to the hinge side of the case) is higher, and so the neck slopes down at a steeper angle towards the head end of the case, putting the tuners further from the compartment.

If you could confirm this (a full-size tracing of a 4005 should do it!) you should be able to sell the 4005 case to a 4005 owner for substantially more than a 'normal' replacement 4001 case will cost you!

The Fender-type marks inside don't mean much other than one has been kept in it - and from the machinehead and string positions, a short-scale/small-body one (Mustang Bass or Musicmaster Bass), so that is clearly not the original instrument. You can usually get the marks out by heavily sucking the case lid with a vacuum cleaner (with the plain end of the tube) - it will pull up the flattened fibers, and unless there is a lot of ingrained dirt from the strings it will be much less visible.

[berth]

I always envisioned the the 4005 as being much larger than a 4001, but not much taller.

Here's a side by side pic of my '73 and a 4005 which I borrowed.

[gshadoan]

I am not familiar with different "size" 4005s. but you never know. Have you considered the possibility of this case being for a 3000 series?

Could be. This is what the guy I bought it from sent when I mentioned it wasn't fitting any of my 4001/4003s: "I called the previous owner but he didn't remember what model it was but it was a hollow body Rickenbacker bass." Now if he didn't know the model number, then he could well be wrong, but the hollow body part is what got me thinking.

I thought that all RIC cases had a square accessory compartmant. This is not. Looks like a fender to me.
I may be wrong

[sloop_john_b]

Bert - is that a '74?

[jps]

What's with the bridge on that 4005WB?

[jakeox]

I thought that all RIC cases had a square accessory compartmant. This is not. Looks like a fender to me.
I may be wrong

Greg -- the case with the '73 that you helped me out with has the same shape compartment. I can't say for sure that it's original, but I'm looking through my pics to see the shape on other cases.

[Chris P]

Hi there!

Sorry I'm hi-jacking this thread a bit. I'll introduce myself in another thread, but some guys know me from the past at TheDudePit or now at the LastBassOutpost.

That's my 4005WB above and it indeed has some issues.

it's an N-number, so '74. One of the bindings at the back has some damage, the wood behind the soundhole is made black by a former owner, the bridge plate indeed is a bit strange and there was a hole in the body cos some fool mounted another pick up once. This all happened before I bought it. A local luthier has put the neck pick up appr. 1/2 inch to the back, so it covers the hole in the wood. Another option was to fill it, but it would still be visible. I thought about a complete refinish to Fireglo, cos the red would cover the (than repaired) hole exactly, but that could be a hell of a job. And expensive too... I am happy about her as she is and I bought it very cheap ca couple of years ago.

Feel free to ask more.

Wanna see her live?

http://www.youtube.com/boilersuitnl

[jps]

Thanks, Chris. A lot of older instruments have been hacked with, so no need to apologize about your 4005WB's condition. My '67 4005WB had a BA II bridge on it for a while in the mid '70s and is on it's third different set of tuning keys. I did buy a set of NOS vintage correct tuners from RIC last year that will some day make it's way on to the bass.

[Chris P]

The 4005 is great in black. I think Rickenbackers are the only basses which look good in black without becoming metal.

If mine was mint I could never afford one, so no problem:)