4005V - NBD

[nixdad]

Forumites,

Please join me in welcoming this new 4005V Fireglo into the world.

I never thought I would be able to own one of these. I wrote e-mail to RIC in 1996 suggesting that they consider reissuing the 4005. I thought that if they could produce the 360 on a regular basis, why not the 4005? Plus semi-hollow Epiphone basses were selling well at the time. I guess my powers of persuasion finally took hold.

But seriously, I really like the toaster pickups in this bass. In the middle position, they seem to compete with each other, like a Jazz bass but more so. This might be an excellent use case for Rick-o-Sound. Has anyone tried this? But the sound really opens up when I solo the neck pickup - thunderous and clear at the same time.

While waiting for the bass to arrive, I imagined that I would replace the strings with flatwounds. But I think the toasters and rounds are a perfect match. I’m sticking with them.

The fingerboard on this specimen is best appreciated up close, maybe with a magnifying glass. The gloss finish reveals the fine details of the wood grain. And the triangle inlays are uniquely elegant. Does anyone here know the material? RIC splash page advertises ``crushed pearl inlays,” but I do not believe this is pearl. Specifications section only says ``Triangle pearlescent.”

Bottom line, this is an outstanding and very special bass.

bluewhale

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Hi bluewhale -
Congrats on your new 4005V!
I've had mine since July, and am truly blown away by this bass as well. IMO, your instincts of switching the stock roundwounds to flats is correct, as flats REALLY make these babies shine (I string my Rics with TI's,) especially when played with a pick. To me, rounds just don't do these basses justice.

To answer your question, the neck inlays are crushed mica, NOT "crushed pearl" as advertised by some. I believe Rickenbacker began using the crushed mica when the produced the 4005XC models (I have one of these as well.)

BTW, I was inspired to create a video a few months ago to be a resource for the benefit of all 4005 owners, so please have a look when you have the chance. It covers 4005 history, the 4005XC, 4005V, and includes valuable info about restringing, gig bag info and much more. It's broken into several chapters so finding information you may need in the future is easy. You can find it on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW0QoGkka-g&t=19s

Good luck, and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any additional questions.

Chris

[bluewhale]

So pretty. My dream bass too.so glad they are being produced again. Congrats!

Thank you, and welcome to the forum!

[bluewhale]

...To answer your question, the neck inlays are crushed mica, NOT "crushed pearl" as advertised by some. I believe Rickenbacker began using the crushed mica when the produced the 4005XC models (I have one of these as well.)

BTW, I was inspired to create a video a few months ago to be a resource for the benefit of all 4005 owners, so please have a look when you have the chance...

Thanks for the care you put into making the video, Chris, and for posting the link here. I doubt that I'm the first to notice that you're blessed with a golden voice - I think you could build a career on it.

How can you tell that it's mica, if you don't mind my asking?

[bluewhale]

...and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any additional questions...

I do have two questions about the bridge for you or anyone else reading this - several Rickenbacker guitars use same design.

What is the purpose of the four springs attached to the four height adjustment screws?

Is there any harm, however minor, in removing them?

Without those springs, I might be able to lower the action a bit more.


Thanks,
bluewhale

[nixdad]

...To answer your question, the neck inlays are crushed mica, NOT "crushed pearl" as advertised by some. I believe Rickenbacker began using the crushed mica when the produced the 4005XC models (I have one of these as well.)

BTW, I was inspired to create a video a few months ago to be a resource for the benefit of all 4005 owners, so please have a look when you have the chance...

Thanks for the care you put into making the video, Chris, and for posting the link here. I doubt that I'm the first to notice that you're blessed with a golden voice - I think you could build a career on it.

How can you tell that it's mica, if you don't mind my asking?

Hi bluewhale -
Thank you so much for your kind comments - they are very much appreciated.
The 4005 series of basses are unique with their own strengths and challenges, so I thought it was important to create a resource which would be valuable to all owners and those interested in purchasing one of these basses. I was in the music biz (retail and wholesale) for 17 years from '80-'97 and always took an informative and consultative approach, so I wanted to do the same in the video.

I appreciate your comments concerning my voice as well. I actually took some initial steps to get into voice-over work in the late 80's. Although I worked in Studio City, CA in the thick of the VO industry, my job was the priority so I couldn't invest the time to pursue that career. Oh well.

Inlay-wise, the crushed mica has a very distinct look as you can clearly see the crystals (see the photo at 8:30 in the video.)

The "crushed pearl" used in the 60's wasn't pearl at all, but ground up acrylic sheet material mixed with resin (see photo at 4:24 in the video.)

Chris

[nixdad]

...and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any additional questions...

I do have two questions about the bridge for you or anyone else reading this - several Rickenbacker guitars use same design.

What is the purpose of the four springs attached to the four height adjustment screws?

Is there any harm, however minor, in removing them?

Without those springs, I might be able to lower the action a bit more.


Thanks,
bluewhale

Steve -
The springs on the height adjustment screws are there to create resistance so height adjustments can be made as needed. I would imagine that removing them would result in the bridge sitting flat on the bridge plate. Please review the photo at 14:42 into the video to make sure that the springs on yours are indeed installed correctly as shown. Are the springs on yours installed between the bridge and bridge plate instead of as shown correctly in the photo?

Also - if your action is high, it could it be that your truss rod requires adjustment.Truth be told, I was NOT happy with how may bass arrived as it was clear that it had not been set up prior to shipping - it was a freakin', rattley mess. It took me a few days to set my bass up to my liking after the immediate restring. The single truss rod is a welcome update, and made the final adjustments easy.

Let us know what you see.

Chris

[bluewhale]

nixdad,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, the neck is straight and the four bridge springs are correctly installed.

However, I had it backwards as to which way to turn the height adjustment screws to lower the bridge (wasn’t wearing my glasses), so my question about the springs is irrelevant. I simply lowered the action. Removing the springs might be the thing to do to raise the bridge to an extreme.

In other news, I finally got around to trying the 4005V through Ric-O-Sound. I sent the bridge pickup signal to a Roland JC-120 guitar amp, and i was very surprised. Compared to playing through one bass amp in middle position, it was like removing earplugs, regardless of the volume knob settings. A whole other bass was lurking there. I now think Ric-O-Sound should be included as standard equipment with the 4005V.

bluewhale

[nixdad]

nixdad,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, the neck is straight and the four bridge springs are correctly installed.

However, I had it backwards as to which way to turn the height adjustment screws to lower the bridge (wasn’t wearing my glasses), so my question about the springs is irrelevant. I simply lowered the action. Removing the springs might be the thing to do to raise the bridge to an extreme.

In other news, I finally got around to trying the 4005V through Ric-O-Sound. I sent the bridge pickup signal to a Roland JC-120 guitar amp, and i was very surprised. Compared to playing through one bass amp in middle position, it was like removing earplugs, regardless of the volume knob settings. A whole other bass was lurking there. I now think Ric-O-Sound should be included as standard equipment with the 4005V.

bluewhale

You're welcome!

Chris