Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I can't speak for others, but I know my 4-2-5 is completely reversible with some maple or walnut wings for the headstock with a refin of just the headstock. I doubt you could tell without getting up close and personal.

charlyg wrote:I can't speak for others, but I know my 4-2-5 is completely reversible with some maple or walnut wings for the headstock with a refin of just the headstock. I doubt you could tell without getting up close and personal.

Well by that logic, anything is "reversible". When people say that, they mean something like a pickup swap or putting a Hipshot on.

sloop_john_b wrote:

charlyg wrote:I can't speak for others, but I know my 4-2-5 is completely reversible with some maple or walnut wings for the headstock with a refin of just the headstock. I doubt you could tell without getting up close and personal.

Well by that logic, anything is "reversible".

Pretty much, for a lot of us.

With so few 5 string Rics out there why would anybody want to turn one into a 4 string bass? Even if it was originally a 4 string bass.

jwr2 wrote:With so few 5 string Rics out there why would anybody want to turn one into a 4 string bass? Even if it was originally a 4 string bass.

So they can have even, balanced and aesthetically pleasing tuner spacing.

charlyg wrote:This is one of the things I don't care for on this forum. It's not always about value and collecting.
Collectible, schmollectible!

You're right Charly, however Paul did ask for our opions, so I gave mine. If he puts it on ebay, he might get someone who will buy it for over 2K. It is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Again, I'll say that I'm sure this bass plays and sounds very well. I just don't care for the way the mod is done on the headstock, but if it fits someone's purpose for playing music, that's great to that person, and to that person it doesn't really matter what the bass is worth.

Very interesting debate. I hadn't thought about the typical Ric user not liking irreversable mods, thet model issue or that there are fewer 5 string players on this forum (or the economy). All of these are definitely variables. I think I may put this on eBay to test the water on what someone would be willing to pay. It's not like I HAVE to sell it but I've been thinking about getting a Chapman Stick which would have more utility right now vs. a bass that I don't really play.

Regards to all,
Paul

Maybe someone here will be willing to do an 8-to-10, a 10-to-12 or a 12-to-14 Chapman Stick mod for you.

incubus2432 wrote:

jwr2 wrote:With so few 5 string Rics out there why would anybody want to turn one into a 4 string bass? Even if it was originally a 4 string bass.

So they can have even, balanced and aesthetically pleasing tuner spacing.

But the factory 4 string model has an assymetrical and unbalanced tuner arrangement already. The spacing on the treble side is quite a bit wider than the spacing on the bass side. The only bass model with a symetrical and balanced tuner layout was the now discontinued 4003s8.

Paul if you put it on ebay, I hope you do get a great price for it, good luck!
I'm one of the few 5 string players on the forum, but I'm also one of those people that prefers that if a Rick has a mod, it is reversible or at least a mod that was well planned out and done, like Tom's 4004L/8.
I've modded a 4 string bass to 5 strings (Gibson Victory Artist) long before Jeff did his first one. though it is a reversible mod.

If you ARE a 5-string player (as I am) and you want a Rickenbacker (which I do), what are the options? None. To me, the question of what side the tuner is on it a moot point. If you put it on the other side then you cut off the wings and then have to refinish, which makes it also not-original. Either way the bass is modded and Jeff's method, to me, mods it LESS, although it looks less "stock". And I dont know but I think it's not easy to match up a Trans Blue finish. If I had the cash I would scoop up the Trans Blue 5-string, it's beautiful and I bet it plays like butter.

Remember the 4003s5 is a factory 4-2-5 of the 4003s bass.

I believe if you need to mod it to make it a "player" Then do it and who cares about re-sale or collecting . My FG4004Cii 4-2-5 works much better "for me" . I love it but......would like a blue one

If a collector looks at it they might see devaluation. If a player looks at it and see 5 string heaven then no hit and possibly a plus to the value. Still it all comes down to what someone is willing to pay for it. We have a few self admitted 5ers here (Jeff, Steve & Joey – me I’m a Bi-stringual [play 4 & 5]). The population is increasing but still the 4 reign’s king. So the number of folks looking might be reduced. The time of year - taxes and planning for vacations, makes $$$ hard to justify for new axes. Also the economy slow down makes $$$ even more tight. Believe me I love the 4004. It is a tonal hog with a huge sound. I can’t say enough nice about it. I am a player and if I didn’t have a 4003s5 I’d be seriously looking at one of the 4to5 conversions. If I were a collector I might have a different view. But the way I look at it with my convert – I didn’t do it to have a collector’s piece, I did it because I wanted an 8string and the 4004 just made sense in so many ways. Paul I think you need to be patient or go for broke and take whatever EBay will give you for it. This is just a tought time of year for these kinds of sales.

Very cool thread all in all. I am going to put this up on eBay today. Stay tuned......