Anyone know anything about....

[leftyguitars]

I have three lefty 4003s/5 basses and no B string problems with any of them.

[cheyenne]

Thanks for the kind words guys. Joey I really appreciate your comments. I'm touched.

Matthew I replied to your email. My S-5 is in very good condition, sounds and plays wonderful. The ONLY reason I'm willing to part with it is that the string spacing is a little to tight for my liking.

There are no issues with the bass other than a little flaking of the finish just left of the tailpiece where the strings break over the bridge, and it has a small amount of "bridge lift". The case isnt original, but is very, very nice. If your interested, I would ship it in an original RIC case if you'd prefer.

This is the second S-5 that I've owned. They are very cool basses.

Here's a few pics:

Im asking $2000.00 firm shipped within the USA.

[qwezirider]

So If I modded a standard 4 string, since I wouldnt be changing the neck size I'd be running into the same problem then right?

I've never actually had the privilege of hearing a 4004, does it have that same rick punch as a 4003?

You wouldn't be running into the exact same string spacing issue because the two outside saddles can have their grooves cut a bit farther to the outside. Sure, it's still tighter than other manufacturers' fivers, but I never had trouble with the spacing on the one Rath model I owned.

As far as the 4004, I changed the pickups to guitar single coils and have a considerable amount of the "Rick" sound. It's a tad different due to the body composition (walnut/maple sandwich), but it's still very much all Rick. Definitely no problem with punch if you replace the HB pickups or leave them.

[qwezirider]

And if Scott's bass is of interest to you, I have to rat him out here. I bought an amp from him last week. Although he failed to tell me it did not have the smoky bar room smell I love so much (which I will rectify soon), it not only was exactly as he described, he shipped it prior to my payment arriving at his place. Not saying he would do that every time, but it is an example of what tremendous people we have around here. I've yet to run into someone in this forum who didn't sell me exactly what they described or better.

[gshadoan]

Im asking $2000.00 firm shipped within the USA.

That is a great fair price. Certainly will sell for that or more on ebay.

[cheyenne]

Thanks Bruce!

I got a PM from Matthew and it sounds like he's interested. He lives in Alberta Canada. I usually wont ship out of the continental USA, but he is willing to pay for UPS to package, insure, and ship. So I guess I'll give it a try.

I had a bad experience once with some electronics, and the package didnt arrive for like 3 months, and I swore I'd never go through that again.


I know alot of you guys ship out of the country all the time, can anyone give me some pointers to ensure a smooth, safe journey? (what to do, what not to do?)

I would really appreciate any advice for both parties inolved here.

[Bassplaya]

I would really appreciate any advice for both parties inolved here.

Me too!

Thanks for all the advice everyone. If everything goes right I'll go with Scott's 4003 S/5 as opposed to modding.

[cheyenne]

Here's one of the back Matthew:

This is after I just got her cleaned up. Scratch X and Zymol are the preferred cleaning supplies for Ric finishes.

[Bassplaya]

Thanks for getting that picture up so quick, as far as I can tell the guitar could basically pass for new. I'm really looking forward to playing it.

[jwr2]

So If I modded a standard 4 string, since I wouldnt be changing the neck size I'd be running into the same problem then right?

I've never actually had the privilege of hearing a 4004, does it have that same rick punch as a 4003?

Rickenbacker has produced 3 different 5 string models. The first was a 4005/5. supposedly a couple were made. I have never even seen a picture of one.

The 4003s5 was produced for 15 years or so. It was basically a factory 4-2-5 bass. It had a basic flaw in that the bridge spacing was 2 1/16". This can be fixed by replacing the saddles and cutting the string grooves wider to get a 2 1/4" or 2 3/8" spacing. The 4004ci5 had a nice wide spacing but the pickups were too narrow and they only covered the 3 middle strings.

The 4003 4-2-5 makes a nice 5 string with the 2 balanced 11k ohm single coil high gain pickups. You get the classic Ric sound with a low B. The string spacing can be made 2 1/4" or 2 3/8". The 4004 4-2-5 has a slightly wider neck and 2 nice hb1 series humbuckers and a sleek modern look. This makes for a nice 5 string bass. There is one of these on ebay right now.

I like a 5 string Rickenbacker bass that is finger friendly and that has all 5 strings covered by the pickups. In 75 years Rickenbacker has never made a bass that fits those specifications. So I modify Rickenbackers. To my joy, but sometimes to the horror of purists who frown on all modifications to a Rickenbacker. Then I get 2 great pleasures from my basses. The first is I get to enjoy that Rickenbacker sound with 5 strings and second I love shocking the collectors and purists.

[bottom4]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. If everything goes right I'll go with Scott's 4003 S/5 as opposed to modding.

This is the right choice. Bet you're glad you stopped by here