Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm in the process of turning a rough old Rickenfaker into a 5 string but EADGC tuning before I attempt it on the real thing. I very rarely use anything lower than E plus I always thought the old Fender Bass V was way cool.

Getting used to 5 string on a 4 string neck can be tricky at first. My first one was a Stingray tuned BEADG but once you get the hang of it, its pretty straight forward.

I guess it would be a lot easier if you were a pick player but I use mainly fingers

I used to use my Stingray5 as my main bass, untill I bought a Ric 4001. But 5 strings Rics doesn't come on EBay to often. How much $$ will it cost to convert a 4 to a 5 string. Which things would i have to buy and change?
Thanks!

In theory, 35" is better, because, according to physics anyway, the tension is great over the longer length. That's why short-scale basses have that very easy, loose feel to them (I never understood why people disliked short-scale basses . . . I love them!). However, I don't think the difference between 34" and 35" is significant enough to affect the B-string . . . at least, not nearly as much as the overall design of the bass would, as Joey said.

I charge $300 to convert a 4003 or a 4004 to a 5 string ... that basically covers my expenses in parts and a few bucks for labor ... it is not really a profit source ... I have converted about 25 basses 4-2-5 ... I am not a luthier ... I don't start with a piece of wood and design and build a bass from scratch ... I am a tinkerer ... I am good a doing certain modifications and setups ... I do the conversions mainly for myself ... I sometimes sell one or once in a while someone hires me to do one for them ... it is a nice change of pace from my other work ... I also will give out information and advice to anyone who wants to convert a bass 4-2-5 ... I would not try to convert a 4001 to a 5 string bass ... I don't think the neck is strong enough ... but a 4003 or a 4004 both have strong necks that can handle an extra string ... I also have a few extra parts for someone converting a 4003 4-2-5 and I can tell you where you can get some off the shelf parts for 4-3-5 conversions ...

I really like my Fender style 4-2-5 basses with a p-bass neck and 5 strings ... with a schaller 2 1/2" bridge and pj pickups ... they are comfortable and they sound good ... the p-bass neck is slim enough to feel good and wide enough to carry 5 strings ... http://www.3dentourage.com/425/5%20string%20p%20bass.htm

I converted two of my 3000 basses into 5-strings using standard RIC 5-string sets with a .115 B cut down. In spite of what many may think, the sound of these is quite good. The reaction Joey got at the So.Cal.Confluence when he plugged one of mine in said it all.

"The reaction Joey got at the So.Cal.Confluence when he plugged one of mine in said it all."

Yeah, I'd say at least half the people there turned around and commented at the sound. I honestly was not expecting a B string sound close to that of my 4003S/5. I barely had any volume up on the amp.

@Jeff Rath

I live in Holland, so it would be expensive for me to send a 4003 to your place and that you send it back after the modification. To much shipping costs and insurance.
When I'll have money i hope you will sell one of yours at that time.

By the way, Jeff have you some pictures of your 5 string Rics?
Thanks!

..Im dreaming of an all black 4003 with 5 strings..

Phillip, here you go:

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm

here is a gothic 5

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/1996%204003-5%20bt.htm

and here is a gallery ...

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/gallery.htm

Philip ... ya shipping would be expensive ... I can help you if you want to do it yourself ... I have many on the parts you would need ...

gothic black ...

So if i would do it myself i would probably need:

-Pickups for 5 string
-different bridge
-different tuners
-different nut
-Help from Jeff

Anything else?

P.s: This will be a project for me in the future. I guess in 6 months or something. I hope sooner, but i dont think so..


Edit:
Beautiful basses by the way. I think i'd go for a black one with black pickguard and trc. No black hardware i think.

A color combo like this Phillip ?