Be prepared to flip out!!!

[thx1955]

My guess is that it will be a reissue of a 60's deluxe model bass, featuring all those things that have been talked about for years on this forum and the Rickenbacker Corp forum. A re-release of this nature would have checkerboard binding, HS and toaster in 1/2 inch spacing, full-width MOP inlays, walnut wings, ric-o-sound, etc. Colors choices would include Amber Fireglo.

I'd be all over that if they use the C64 neck profile!

I'll be all over it if it's Fireglo.

Colour choices need only be Fireglo, and Amber Fireglo!

[s4001]

I initially liked the AFG, but the more I saw of it, it grew off me. I really prefer the current spray of FG with just the smallest hint of yellow to it.

[rickfan60]

In order to do a proper '57 4000 reissue, it'd have to have a walnut neck thru, the unrefined 4000 series shape with the not-quite-right-looking upper horn, a bunch of clear acrylic around a bridge RIC doesn't make anymore and a single pickup. JH has said there wasn't much market for a single pickup RIC bass. I think there'd be less of a market for this than a 4005 reissue. I don't think a 4005 reissue would cost anywhere near ten large per unit. Almost all of the components are current production items. A prototype would have to be built(maybe that's what Paul W's was at the '07 RIC fest) and then scanned into a CNC machine, but I don't think that process would raise it to that price level. The 4002's pickups were single coil, so I don't see how another single coil pickup would sound that much different given that JH has stated that 90% of the sound is in the construction and a 4002 is built very differently than a 4003 given the woods used and the pickup location. I agree that an HB1 probably doesn't sound like a 4002 pickup, but despite it's obvious resemblance to the 4002 pickup, it's a humbucker. Perhaps these could be used if only one set of leads were used in the neck position and the second set of leads in the bridge position went to the HiZ output.

The main idea of CAD/CAM is NOT to have to build prototypes. The G-code used by a CNC machine is in large part a function of a the vector drawing(s) of the piece to be made. The rest of the code is any manual tweaking required to get it just right. Scanning an item in would be creating CAD drawings to be converted to G-code.

I agree 10K to produce a 4005 is a bit high. It is essentially a longer version of the 360. No new technology needs to be developed. Just the same, it does not seem likely. JH has made his feelings about the sound of the 4005 pretty clear. I guess he never cared much for it.

The 4002 does not seem likely either. The electronics are more complex as are the pickups. How many would they sell?

My guess is the V68 will see the light of day.

[dcr]

What is the Rickenbacker bass demographic/target market, I wonder?

[cheyenne]

+ 1K on the V68.

The only missing links are the Checker binding and Vintage pups.

Would they do the little "space" in the bridge for authenticity?

[rickfan60]

+

Would they do the little "space" in the bridge for authenticity?

Why not? It would be the same as a V63 with deluxe trim.

[rickfan60]

How about consistent tone from string to string? That would make me flip out.

Perhaps it's your setup or strings? Just a guess...

[deaconblues]

I stand corrected. Lemme revise the cost of that 4005: $4-6K based on what JH has said in the past.

[rickfan60]

I stand corrected. Lemme revise the cost of that 4005: $4-6K based on what JH has said in the past.

When they were last in production they did not cost any more than a 4001/3. Of course now they would have to tool up or make them the old way so there would be a startup cost to recover.

[rickboy88]

In order to do a proper '57 4000 reissue, it'd have to have a walnut neck thru, the unrefined 4000 series shape with the not-quite-right-looking upper horn, a bunch of clear acrylic around a bridge RIC doesn't make anymore and a single pickup. JH has said there wasn't much market for a single pickup RIC bass. I think there'd be less of a market for this than a 4005 reissue...

You've made some good points, Dane. I remember JH stating that there wouldn't be much of a market for a single pickup Ric bass, but the Fender Precision is functionally (not literally) a single pick-up bass, and they still seem to sell quite well. My angle on the 4000V57 is the old retro "mojo" of the model. I admit to blending the pickups on my 4001/3 basses, but I think I might just pull the trigger for a V57 re-issue. Maybe someone should do a survey on the forum? Here's a pic that I grabbed from the Ric corporate site (I couldn't find a more pretty picture - forgive me Ric):

I also remember JH's comment about single coil pickups and the sound being mainly the bass itself, but I gotta say that my Hagstrom single coils are very different beasts from the Ric pickups. Also, the Ric single coils have been evolving over time. My early 80's models are less bassy and more crystaline sounding on essentially the same 4001/3 platform compared to my 1998 version. Others who own a spread like this can also confirm.

JH also has written (and I think he's dead on) that the 4005 would have limited appeal to maybe 100 people or so best case. The survey is sounding better and better. Let's rock!

[rickboy88]

I can't see some young player in a store being more interested in a 4002 instead of a 4003.

You see Rickenbackers in stores?

Yes, there is more stock now than I've ever seen in the last 3 years since I've been back into bass playing again:

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/ric/
(I was there last Saturday and played one of them.)

Musician's Friend appears to have 3 of the 4 finishes they sell in stock, which is also a first. Often they've just had one finish or no stock at all.

I haven't checked others, but I'm sure it is a trend.

[jps]

I vote for a '50s 4000 RI!

[woodyng]

again,ditto on the 57 4000!!! "one horseshoe to lead them from darkness".........yes! actually if the hs just became (reasonably) available again,i would be thrilled....

[bassduke49]

My bets are on:

New vintage model(s), one being roughly a V68, the other an even more "accurate" V63

Return of checker binding on a bass (as an option at a cost)

The new 4001/3 bridge

The debut of the improved 4004Cii5 five-string

[Lost Coyotes]

My bets are on:

New vintage model(s), one being roughly a V68, the other an even more "accurate" V63

Return of checker binding on a bass (as an option at a cost)

The new 4001/3 bridge

The debut of the improved 4004Cii5 five-string

+1