Beater Rickenbackers Anyone?

[jps]

And, a 4005 might work fairly well upside down, if my left arm wouldn't be resting on top of all the knobs; might make for some interesting sounds, though.

Worked for Macca and Jimi.

[GIBrat51]

Good point. However, that's one of the reasons they are who they are, and I'm just an old guy who fools around with a bass. Actually, there was a time whan I could sorta play right handed - for one song. But that was 40 years ago, and now I can't physically do it. I destroyed my upper left arm a couple years ago; the top 4 inches of the bone is artificial, and the range of motion is limited and painful. I do have an old right handed Epiphone bass that's slated for conversion; I had it out last month for pictures, and tried to play it afterwards. My left arm will not tolerate reaching out to the neck for more than a minute or two. So, my trying to be a righty days are definitely over. I have a Gretsch Broadkaster bass and a Sheraton II that I can't play any more, either. My arm won't tolerate bending around over the big hollow bodies- especially the Gretsch. Besides, I wouldn't dare buy that 4005 and booger it up into a lefty; it would be sacreligious, and I'd be in fear for my life from you guys- rightfully so, too.

[collin]

How about the brown fretless 4005 which has been on eBay (from music-outlet-shoppe) for a good while now? Has anyone given serious thought to making him an offer and bringing the old girl back to life? I doubt if you could restore it and sell it for a profit, but it might make a really enjoyable long-term project, for a well-loved model of bass.

What is the general consensus of the forum on that guitar? Is it a real Ric, or has it been too badly damaged to be able to tell?

Ever try making those guys an offer on anything before? HAH.

Lets just say, they keep waiting for a sucker... For years now.


That 4005 is one seriously ********-up bass, and would be a waste of money to restore at the current price (maybe worth it at half that price).

[Dom]

Too true! I made the mistake of asking them if they'd go down in price a year or so ago since I'd seen it listed so many times before. It could be fixed, but that sucker would be a real chore...this from a guy who's 350 has no neck!

[Bassmouse]

I destroyed my upper left arm a couple years ago; the top 4 inches of the bone is artificial, and the range of motion is limited and painful. I do have an old right handed Epiphone bass that's slated for conversion;

Ouch - that sounds extremely painful, and I am genuinely sorry to hear it. Still, it is excellent that you are playing on - that is the right spirit to have!

The Epiphone conversion sounds fascinating; I hope that you'll post pictures of it when it is finished (or even posting pics of the work being done, if this would be possible).

One other possibility would be to have a luthier build your own perfect bass, and have it designed in such a way as will allow you to play it painlessly. That would be a fantastic project - maybe something to think about for the future!

[GIBrat51]

Actually, I do have plans for a custom half-fretted bass; the drawings are around the house somewhere. Imagine a large, mutant, Mosrite mandolin, with a Shaller bridge, Rick horseshoe and toaster pickups, and an old Kramer fretless aluminum neck. the main problem is finding someone to do it; the neck needs a little machine shop work, and the way it bolts onto a body is..weird. That, and coming up with a body material that counterbalances the neck. The Kramer bass I have, neck-dives like a U-Boat under attack, and one of those is enough! I figure, with the neck and the pickups, the thing will be thunderous, and sustain forever. And, while I thank you for the kind words, please don't think I can't play anything. I have a little trouble with all my other stuff if I sit down, but standing they're fine. I have a very nice Violin bass for sitting and practicing, and of course I don't mind standing to play my Ricks. To tell the truth, the Gretsch has been a big disappointment, anyway. I have a $150 Starfire bass that sounds better, and that Epiphone makes it sound like a cheap toy. I had been reluctant to start trying to fix it, because it's pretty rare, but it won't hurt to let it go as is. And the Sheraton was going to be an inexpensive Eddie Cochran Gretsch clone; won't really miss it, either.