Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've got a 66' 4005. I'd note the following

[1] The difference in sound between the two pickups is more exaggerated than on the 4001. The Treble is VERY treble ( with the cap in series) , and the bass VERY bass.

[2] It doesn't' "growl" quite as much as a 4001. Blending the two pickups, to my ears its half-way between a 4001 and a jazz bass. Tone is so much "hollow" as having a bit less attack and sustain than the 4001. However, with a slight change in EQ it can still sound quite "squire-ish" with roundwounds.

[3] the neck on my 66' feels different to a 4001. I haven't actually measured it, but it feel a fraction wider, and I prefer it to to my 4001

[4] Balance is nice, and the body size is not a problem. weighs a little less than a 4001, but not by a huge amount

[5] Overall, it is a nice bass, but probably not worth the collector values it now fetches. I bout mine 20 years ago before prices went crazy and I won't any any current 4005-seekers by saying how much I paid. (of course, IMO no "collector" instrument is worth the premium attached for rarity. This is why collectors rather than musicians buy them. )

[3] the neck on my 66' feels different to a 4001.

What is the manufacture date of your 4001?

I won't any any current 4005-seekers by saying how much I paid. (of course, IMO no "collector" instrument is worth the premium attached for rarity. This is why collectors rather than musicians buy them. )

You don't want to know what I paid for my 'Feb. '67 4005WB JG then.
My band is doing an outdoor festival in Hudson, Ohio the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, I will most likely bring the 4005WB, depending on the weather.

Welcome, James!

I recommend that you check the Rickenbacker Conferences and Confluences section to see whether there is a get-together planned near you. Typically there are many models of guitars and basses on display that can be played, and you might then have the opportunity to play one.

Welcome James

Just to give you an approx idea of the sound of an original 60s 4005, played through a vintage VOX amplifier, please search here amongst my youtube videos:
www.youtube.com/user/rickinroma

There should be a cover of an old Who song, We're Not Gonna Take It/See me, Feel Me

It's not a hi-quality audio/video, therefore it represents just an idea, as I have said

The playability in terms of neck and comfort, compared to a 4001/4003, is probably superior due to its shape and slightly-less weight. The neck is really slim and narrow, you do not even feel it in your hand, and plays like butter.

I 've seen that video of your 4005, all you videos are cool btw.

A fellow UK forumite has offered me a go on his 4005 already. What a great forum!

JM82 wrote:A fellow UK forumite has offered me a go on his 4005 already. What a great forum!

What, the lefty 4005 that Peter Levett has?

JPS:

I'm comparing it to a '78 4001. Having made the original statement, I put a set of calipers on both necks just to be sure its not my imagination. My 66 4005 is 2.19 inches at the 12th fret, the 4001 is 2.09 - only a tenth of an inch difference! However it FEELS wider......

I've had 3 of these over the years, all from the late 60s. 1 a 4005 WB Mapleglo and the others a standard body. I liked the unique tone, a nice variable definition between the bridge and neck pickups. I didn't care for the size of the bass, or the neck setting far out of the body at the 20th fret, but i did like the weight, it wasn't as heavy as a P-bass or 4001.

Something more from my 4005...finger style
John Entwistle basslines are on the centre/right, I am playing on the left /centre of the stereo

I'm a guitar player, not really a bass player, although I double occasionally--anyway, back in the '70's I worked with a bass player who had a 4005, about a '67, we thought. He traded his '62 Jazz Bass for it, and I remember him saying that the Rickenbacker had a little bit wider neck than the Fender (which he liked, as I recall). His biggest complaint was that the 4005 was a bit neck-heavy, and he had to hold it in place with his right forearm to keep the neck from heading for the floor. I played it a time or two, but I was sitting down, and it seemed to balance fine that way. Certainly a hollow or semi-hollow bass won't sustain as well as a solidbody, and that's what I recall about that bass. Overall, I think he preferred the Jazz, but when he quit playing in about 1977, he got rid of the Rick. He still plays guitar around the house, but I don't think he even owns a bass anymore.

I'm a little late to the game here...lol....

Well, I've owned two of these beasts, a standard and a double bound '67...and from what I can remember, the major differences were the overall length and the sound when switching between the pickups... I rarely used the treble position but the bass position brought out a nice growly tone thru my SVT....also , the necks were VERY thin and felt fragile, but were NICE to play....I sold both of them about 2 years ago. I would have kept them if they weren't worth so very much hahaha....

Francesco- didn't know you were on this forum. I absolutely love your videos, you have the best tone no matter what you are playing! Nice job!

dricard wrote:Francesco- didn't know you were on this forum. I absolutely love your videos, you have the best tone no matter what you are playing! Nice job!

Francesco hosts his forum here on the RRF, where he shows his talent, playing McCartney bass lines:
Paul McCartney's Bass Style: by Francesco Fai

you have to hear Francsco sing!

Hi All - it's been quite a while since I've been on here, but I'd like to post my views on the 4005. I have three of them - two from 1968 and one from 1969. (I posted pics of my entire RIC collection here on the forums a few years ago....don't know if they're still here or not).

Personally, I LOVE my 4005s, but they are more of a "specialty bass" than an everyday one. (I play mostly jazz, so I use one of my RIC fretless 4001s for that). They sound great, play VERY well, and can come very close to the 4001 growl. I love their necks, and the 360-like semi hollow body style...old school 60s basses, for sure....true works of art and engineering.

To quote Ferris Beuller, "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up!" (That is if you can find them, as they are quite rare).
Jim