4004Cii/5 Questions

[gellkeller]

What's a 4-2-5? Is that code for something?

[JakeK]

4 strings 2 (to) 5 strings

[nukebass]

Ahh the 4004Cii/5!!
At this point, I really don't care if RIC ever makes a 5 string again. If they do, great, if they don't that's fine too.

Maybe these basses would be in production now at least in small numbers if these certain individuals didn't make ******* remarks about them and throw insult at JH and co.

I think there was good reason to pull the bass from production, since JH has said the pickups weren't ideal for the CII/5 (having never played one, I can't comment on it except for what I've read). Given the low frequency of 5 string production (and remember that no 5 strings are being made right now) and the perceived need to redesign the pickups, pulling it seemed to make sense. JH seems to be pretty reasonable when it comes to making business decisions and I hope he doesn't let a few negative comments (intentional or not) drive him to make decisions of this magnitude.

Who knows what will be in store for us if the backlog can be reduced. There may one day be multiple runs of 4004s every year!!

[gshadoan]

My gut feeling is that they will be produced again. They are still in their lineup on the website. If RIC didn't intend to ever make any you would think it wouldn't be on there.

[jwr2]

My gut feeling is that they will be produced again. They are still in their lineup on the website. If RIC didn't intend to ever make any you would think it wouldn't be on there.

+1

[1965]

My gut feeling is that they will be produced again. They are still in their lineup on the website. If RIC didn't intend to ever make any you would think it wouldn't be on there.

Well, if you're going by that then they'll probably start rolling out the Jazzbos pretty soon, right?

[jwr2]

Some people just get way too upset when it is said publically that Ric made a mistake. It is not a personal attack. It is not slamming Rickenbacker or slamming John Hall. They simply made a mistake. It happens. They got a lot of things right. They make a lot of great instruments. Rather that getting offended and blocking people, resigning from the forum, and stopping production of the instrument, let's all learn from the mistake and move on. And from time to time when someone asks why there is no 5 string being produced we can simply answer without certain people getting angry. Where I work we sometimes make mistakes, when we do we fix it and move on. It is just business. It is not a personal attack or a personal insult to anyone.

[ilan]

They simply made a mistake. It happens. They got a lot of things right.

Actually they got many things wrong along the way - but that's part of the Ric magic that I love so much. Leo got it right the first time, and Rickenbacker had the weak neck and disintegrating Grovers and neck collapse at the weak spot where the neck meets the body, and body wings delamination, and the horseshoe getting in the way, and the volume knobs under the tone knobs - is there a reason for that? - and that not fully adjustable or easily serviceable bridge, inside a tailpiece that lifts at the tail, and those ribs over the mute that will not allow you to palm-mute, and did I mention the bass-cut capacitor? because that is my pet peeve... and a 5-string tailpiece that is actually a converted 4-string unit, and the upside-down necks on lefties...

Still, they made great noise, they look amazing, and play like buttah. Nothing else sounds like a Ric bass.

RIC have corrected most of these mistakes. It just takes them a little time. Just imagine what would have happened if we had the Internet and Ric discussion boards back in the 60's and 70's!

[jwr2]

Fender made some mistakes ... The 3 bolt neck ... the pickup covers ... etc ...

[atomic_punk]

I think the term "Mistake" is the problem here. Most of those things mentioned are what makes a Rick the quirky things we all love. Most of those things have been re-engineered and improved upon as the years went by. And I am sure the 5 string will be no different.

[sloop_john_b]

the pickup covers

[nukebass]

They would be mistakes if the problems were known prior to production. I don't think you could test for all the problems listed. The tone/volume control thing is just a RIC quirk. Since they go back to the beginning of electric guitars, who's to say everyone else isn't upside down?

[jwr2]

Call them design flaws if you want ...

[nukebass]

Yeah, I was arguing semantics, but my point was they can't be blamed for all the little flaws that come out, I don't think. It does surprise me, though, how long it has taken them to release a redesigned 4003 bridge. I just intonated my 4001 and it is a bit of a hassle. Now, is the extra 30 minutes worth buying a 200 dollar bridge to replace it? Probably not. Should my newer 4003 have the same problem accessing the intonation screws? Probably not. For the money Ricks go for these days, how long will we stand by and defend the flaws or known inadequate designs without requiring resolution? No longer are they in the same price bracket as Fenders. The number of questions about how to get the mute to work from the factory surprise me. For 2k, everything on the bass should work flawlessly. You shouldn't have to take the bridge apart to cut foam off of the mute. Okay, I'm done. End somewhat off topic rant...

[1965]

the pickup covers

I think he means the big metal ones.

You know,