My '09 4004L5 MID

[cjj]

Nice! But I have to say, I don't really like the "extra" tuner on the treble side. I understand why you did it, but your "old" way looks a lot better in my opinion...

[FretlessOnly]

Very nicely done, Dane!

Not that I would really know anything about this, but I have to wonder if gear ratio is all that it is cracked up to be. I have no experience with 12:1 tuners but I can compare the tuners RIC ships out on 4003s versus the Hipshot aftermarket replacement, which has something like seven more "teeth" on each of the gears. My 4001FL came from eBay with these installed. Honestly, neither tuner really seems to outdo the other in terms of keeping the pitch in place, although my 4003FL (equipped with the stock Schallers) stays in tune for nearly two weeks sometimes. All that said though, I know Dane knows what he is doing, I'm just not sure I buy into the gear ratio argument that more is better.

Higher ratios shouldn't affect keeping the bass in tune over time; rather, they provide a bigger window for rolling in just the right pitch. More rotational distance accompanying less pitch change just means it's easier to get it right.

[berth]

Wow. This looks really cool.

[rickaddict]

Looks great, Dane.

I like how you keep the B and the G strings a consistent distance from the edge of the fretboard.

[johnallg]

I like how you keep the B and the G strings a consistent distance from the edge of the fretboard.

Yeah, that is nice.

[aceonbass]

It took me three hours to figure out how to wire it up. The coil taps made it kinda tough to solder, even in the enlarged control compartment. Practicing with it right now. The sound is similar to my last one ( like a stock 4004 with the tone controls wide open), but not quite as bright with a bubinga fingerboard. I prefer it though. The string spacing is right on with no drop off in pickup response on the B and G strings. The strings are definitely easier to get with the different spacing at the nut, even while singing back-up. Besides, the cobalt blue pearlecent color just looks bad azz with the added chrome. Yep, this is my new go-to bass. Time to start the second set...

[rickenbrother]

I noticed that like many of the latest 4004 basses, yours does not have the fingerboard dot at the 19th fret. Gives it a little vintage vibe.

[cheyenne]

I like your mods alot Dane. You take a modern 4004 and give it a little 4003 massage that really works for me.

Old style meets new. I like it.

[bluewhale]

Besides, the cobalt blue pearlecent color just looks bad azz with the added chrome...

That's right.

[aceonbass]

Band practice over and I gotta say this is the best 5-string I've ever played. I feel that the 4004 is the perfect platform for a 5-string. The spacing is closer than everyone else at only 15mm string pitch, but since many of us are already used to the 17mm string pitch of a 4003, it's not much of an adjustment. I'd love to do a 4004Cii Trans Red next, but I'd swap out the gold hardware for chrome anyway. Hmmm...I do have 4004Cii MG FL..Mua ha ha ha ha

[aceonbass]

I noticed that like many of the latest 4004 basses, yours does not have the fingerboard dot at the 19th fret. Gives it a little vintage vibe.

Ya, what's up with that? I want my dot back. Maybe RIC is hinting at the C64 replacement. I feel that RIC should make the 4004's 21 frettrers. The extra fret will be easy to get to with the present body profile and it will put that neck pickup route another 10mm further back, adding a little more strength in a critical point. I find no flexing with the new two piece neck though, given the tension of the extra string.

[ricosound]

So how did you add the 4003 tailpiece, did you have to route the bridge channel? With the treble ring does the bridge pickup become height adjustable? In trying to 4003ify a Larado I would like to try a few of these mods but not anything too ir-reversible at this point.

[aceonbass]

I did have to route the bridge and bridge pickup channels, none of which is reversible. The bridge pickup is adjustable via the mute screws.

[paul_yan]

The bridge pickup is adjustable via the mute screws.

And that's a nice touch, Dane!

[ricosound]

do you have pictures of the routed body?