Have I become a Rickenbacker snob?

[Kiddwad57]

"I keep trying to dial in a certain tone."

And that's the why and wherefore for the 4003fl in a nutshell. The symphony did a pop's concert with David Brubeck and the tone Chris was getting blew me away.

[stevebasshead]

Have you ever tried one of these?

Ooooooh so pretty!!!

[Kiddwad57]

Consider a converted Rickenbacker 4004...There are several folks who have converted the Cheyenne or Laredo from four to five strings and find them to be very comfortable -- not too wide, not too crammed.

So now I'm curious…if it's not too much to ask, what is the string spacing at the bridge? It's a really nice looking bass. Thanks!

[cassius987]

Consider a converted Rickenbacker 4004...There are several folks who have converted the Cheyenne or Laredo from four to five strings and find them to be very comfortable -- not too wide, not too crammed.

So now I'm curious…if it's not too much to ask, what is the string spacing at the bridge? It's a really nice looking bass. Thanks!

The 4-string spacing is 17.5 or 18 mm as I recall. A bit wider than a 4003. At least until recently, when the 4004 necks were made to match the 4003, and presumably the bridge setup is narrower to match.

I love my 2008 4004.

[Kiddwad57]

Thanks Cassius, those 4004s are beautiful. Unfortunately they're not to be found in my neck 'o' the woods. I've seen a number of the 5 string conversions on these and other pages and am wondering how the string spacing of those would compare to say, my early '90s American JB5.

[cassius987]

Thanks Cassius, those 4004s are beautiful. Unfortunately they're not to be found in my neck 'o' the woods. I've seen a number of the 5 string conversions on these and other pages and am wondering how the string spacing of those would compare to say, my early '90s American JB5.

Still a lot tighter I suspect. Since my 4003/5 has 14.5 mm spacing, I'll guess you could do no better than 16 mm on a 4004 conversion with a wide neck. I think Jazz 5ers feel so fat because they make plenty of room for 18 mm spacing or thereabouts. That said, profile of the neck is a big deal. My Dingwall was a fatty, but felt easy to play.

[Kiddwad57]

That's what I would expect, thanks for the info. I'll remain happy with the status quo until the day that Rickenbacker revives the discontinued 4004/5.

[Ashgray]

...and for me, the 4003s/5

Ash