My 4004Cii5 FL

[aceonbass]

After converting my new 4004L to 5 string use and finding out how comfortable and natural it felt, I realized that my trusty 4004Cii FL was next. I don't like having to go back and forth between different string spacings, so a standard was necessary. I used the same modified tailpiece/bridge from the 4004L5 to get the proper string spacing (at 15.25mm nothing in the after market will do). Using Schaller BML Superlight tuners, which have larger diameter string posts, I was able to move the center line of the A and G tuners further apart to achieve a reasonable spread between tuner keys without interference when aligned parallel to each other. The strings chosen are D'Addario ENR71-5 half rounds. While almost as smooth as the D'Addario Chromes, these strings have a brightness which I like without too much potential fingerboard wear. Unlike my 4004L5, this bass's tone controls give me the option of getting a really resonant sound, as well as a fairly bright sound. I played it out Saturday night and really liked the solid bottom end/low mid sound it provided.

[aceonbass]

More pics....

[aceonbass]

A few more....

[rickenbrother]

Dane, you are stepping up the anxiousness that my 4004's are feeling. I really like the standard RIC tailpiece on there. Enjoy your 4004Cii5FL!

[nattiep]

Wow. Dane, I'm not usually fond of some of your mods, the pickguard ones usually, but this one is brilliant. Way to show me how to get a 3 pickup 4004.

[aceonbass]

I really like the standard RIC tailpiece on there.

That tailpiece and bridge are anything but standard. Approximately 4 hours goes into modding each one to work properly in this application. The new RIC saddles STILL sit above the bridge almost a full millimeter. I'm really getting tired of making these fit. I wish their supplier would get their act together.

[cassius987]

Looks like a job well done.

[ajish4]

OH MY.................................................WOW, I LIKE THIS ONE A LOT!!!!!!!!

HUBBA HUBBA!

[cjj]

Oh yeah, very nice! I'm gonna have to start thinking harder about turning my 4004 into a 5 string...

[johnallg]

Nice Dane. I'd like a 4 string like this but maybe without the front pickup. A poor man's 4002. The tuners look a tad too large for the look of the headstock but I understand the thinking.

[aceonbass]

If I had my choice, I wouldn't even have a front pickup, but there's no way to hide the route on a Cii. The rear pickup has it's own volume and tone control, while the middle and front pickup are wired into the selector switch, volume and tone controls like a standard 4004. I made sure that, unlike most large tuner installations on Rick basses, there would be no tuner post to truss rod cover interference. These tuners have a way better ratio at 20:1 than the stock M4's, but I'll be retrofitting my 4004L5 MID with Hipshot Ultralights that are chrome plated aluminum with a 22:1 ratio and big posts.

[stanislav]

Wow, I like it!

[rickaddict]

That's pretty F-in' cool, Dane. You are the Master of Mods.

Do you ever sleep?

[aceonbass]

Do you ever sleep?

Yes. On the 7th day I rested.

[jdogric12]

Very nice! Even the pg looks like 4002!