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Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:53 pm
by cheyenne
The thunder gods were kind to me today and allowed me to pick up this '91 4003S-5. Nice bass, needs a cleaning reallllly bad. Had terrible action, but it also appeared that the rods have never been touched. The neck straightened out beautifully, and with the old strings on sounds pretty darn good. String spacing is real tight, but the action is very low with no buzzes.
Im going to take it completely apart this weekend and give it the Scratch X and Zymol treatment. Here's a couple before pics:
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:54 pm
by sloop_john_b
Aha, so that's why you were asking about them!
Nice grab, Scott!
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:11 pm
by wints
Pee ya pants Phlemmy...
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:22 pm
by cheyenne
If I keep it,, it will have black plastic.
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:28 pm
by wints
cheyenne wrote:If I keep it,, it will have black plastic.
OK Phlemmy...You now can soil yourself...
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:24 pm
by incubus2432
Nice score Scott!
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:56 pm
by jwr2
It looks like it needs 2 extra screws, straploks, and the new saddle mod to make it more finger friendly ...
and take off the ash tray ...
Nice bass dude ...
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:40 pm
by jps
Nice, Scott!
I guess you have another bass to bring to RIO!!!
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:58 pm
by cheyenne
You read my mind Jeff.
It has about an eighth inch tail lift resulting in a little stress damage to the finish right at the bridge area (string pressure point) on both sides. Nothing serious though for a 17 year old bass. I may seek your wisdom on the bridge saddle situation though, the allignment, not so much the spacing, is off a little, just enough to bug the hell of me. I'm considering keeping this one though, just because even with a little tweaking / old strings it set up with a low action to die for. And for what its worth the neck is very thin from the thumb to the fingers. I think I can make this work with a pick anyway. Finger style no way.
I picked up a set of Dean Markley Blue Steels guaged medium light .45-.125 at the local store just because they didnt have anything else. Hows the tension on these things? Any input??
Lots more pics coming this weekend.
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:01 pm
by jwr2
Get 5 blank saddles from Ric and modify them with a dremmel tool ...
cut the grooves to be at least 2 1/4" ... or if you dare try 2 3/8" ... but to do 2 3/8" you may have to modify the tailpiece by removing the verticle fins next to the mechanical mute ...
Have fun ...
and if the neck won't flatten out then try a lighter set of strings ... some 4003s5 basses like .125 or .130 low B strings ... some like .120 or even .110 low B
But do give yourself some space between the strings at the bridge it will help fingerstyle playing ... but pic playing works fine with the tight spacing ...
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:40 pm
by phlemmy
wints wrote:cheyenne wrote:If I keep it,, it will have black plastic.
OK Phlemmy...You now can soil yourself...
bah, too many strings.
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:52 pm
by cheyenne
It is tight, but really cool. Its one of those "I love the bass, I just wish it only had 4 strings situations".
Whadya do???? I dunno...... sometimes I wish I was just a collector and not a player. I'm sure alot of members can relate.....
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:04 am
by sloop_john_b
cheyenne wrote:It is tight, but really cool. Its one of those "I love the bass, I just wish it only had 4 strings situations".
Whadya do???? I dunno...... sometimes I wish I was just a collector and not a player. I'm sure alot of members can relate.....
5-2-4!!!
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:06 am
by leftyguitars
cheyenne wrote:If I keep it,, it will have black plastic.
...and be converted to a lefty!
Re: Picked up an S-5
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:54 am
by ajish4
Congratulations Scott!
I must admit, I'm starting to lust for a RIC 5'er myself........I'm not there yet, I'm STILL holding out for another Fretless first.
Hmmmm, I wonder......a FRETLESS 5'er RIC? That might be cool!
Looks like she will clean up REALLY nicely.....
PLEASE post pics after the "treatment"!