Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

This subject has probably been done to death. What would you call it?

Doesn't matter, I would really love to branch out to a 6 string bass. I doubt I will ever jump to 5 strings, if I wanted extra range I would jump to 6.

Please Rickenbacker, one day consider producing a 6 string! Base it on the 4004 series, make it neck-thru of course. String spacing medium to permit a little slap. You can use the existing body wings, maybe just take a smidge off the flat sides so the body doesn't end up super wide, your choice I am happy to purchase! New pickups will be needed, why not do something different and get Bartolini or someone else to make them? Barts go well in Rics, you know. You could still encase them in chrome or gold shells. Keep the existing scale length, if Alembic and others can make a B string work with 30-34" then so can you.

A really nicely figured natural dark wood with gold hardware would be absolutely stunning. No painted finishes desired. I am happy for it to have a clearly maple neck-thru.

I don't see why you wouldn't sell a few... until then what do I choose for a like 6 stringer?

I'd rather see a baritone guitar than 6 string Bass but yes I concur that it should be a called model 4006 and shaped in the 4000 series .... one can always hope right. which leads to the obvious question, has a Rickenbacker Baritone ever been produced??

There's always one of these Ben, if you can find one and afford it...

Ash

Ah yeah the 4005/6. It would be so nice to own one. A baritone Ric would be nice also.

You know I am dreaming of a semi-modern BEADGC extended range bass. I want to kick all styles and reach those extra notes with a Rickenbacker

I'd be happy if RIC came out with another 5-string. I REALLY like a low B...

Benjamin wrote:I don't see why you wouldn't sell a few...

Yeah, well, I guess that's the crux of the problem right there.

johnhall wrote:

Benjamin wrote:I don't see why you wouldn't sell a few...

Yeah, well, I guess that's the crux of the problem right there.

I see what you're saying. I'll use the search function to find posts where you mentioned what kinds of minimum runs are required to make this profitable and worthwhile, coz I know you've said it somewhere else. There's been some questions over the years, like when is a 4005 going to reappear hehehe.

How about a survey for kicks?

1. How many bass players own 5 string Rickenbacker basses?
2. How many Rickenbacker bass players own 5+ string basses from other brands?
3. How many Rickenbacker bass players own 5+ string basses from other brands begrudgingly or out of necessity, wishing they could maintain their brand loyalty and further exploit the unique and amazing tone, playability and sheer eye-watering beauty of their other Rickenbacker instruments?
4. How many Rickenbacker bass players would jump on a 5+ (pref 6) string Rickenbacker bass? (gosh, how could a 6 string Rickenbacker bass open the world's eyes!)

It's all fun and games! I am sure we'd all love to see a prototype test the water

cjj wrote:I'd be happy if RIC came out with another 5-string. I REALLY like a low B...

I'm not making any suggestions but the 4004s are five string friendly when modded correctly...

Malchik wrote:

cjj wrote:I'd be happy if RIC came out with another 5-string. I REALLY like a low B...

I'm not making any suggestions but the 4004s are five string friendly when modded correctly...

Yes. Mine's tuned BEAD right now and a 5-string mod is in the plans, but there's other things taking up time, etc. just now.

I do understand why RIC isn't making 5-string basses, the small percentage of people who want them just doesn't justify adding them to the line. Especially when the factory is already operating at full capacity...

Benjamin, I own one, a 4003S5. I used to have another brand 5 string but got rid of it.

Benjamin wrote: How about a survey for kicks?

1. How many bass players own 5 string Rickenbacker basses?
2. How many Rickenbacker bass players own 5+ string basses from other brands?
3. How many Rickenbacker bass players own 5+ string basses from other brands begrudgingly or out of necessity, wishing they could maintain their brand loyalty and further exploit the unique and amazing tone, playability and sheer eye-watering beauty of their other Rickenbacker instruments?
4. How many Rickenbacker bass players would jump on a 5+ (pref 6) string Rickenbacker bass? (gosh, how could a 6 string Rickenbacker bass open the world's eyes!)

1. I count as one . . .
2. Ditto
3. No no no; cart before the racehorse there, now. I only recently acquired my 4003s/5, which of course has become front-runner but beforehand for 25 yrs ( ) I was quite as one with my '85 Ibanez RB885 (only mod: a Schaller bridge). I also have a Carvin 6-string (very comfortable, but its tone was always a bit hard to pin down).
4. I am ultra-careful just picking the thing up, let alone jumping on it, which would be a soul-destroying act anyway. (Especially since the neck on my 4003s/5 went through a period of being as unstable and finicky as my ex-girlfriend ).
. . . but no, really, a "4003/6" would prove. . . incredibly tempting, should the nut, neck, and at-bridge dimensions be just right. I would especially appreciate getting back those higher notes which were a (minor) tradeoff with the gaining of the 4003s/5 . . . which is, to say, the gaining of EPIC. TONE.

Benjamin wrote: until then what do I choose for a like 6 stringer?

I have a pretty cool 6 string Dingwall Afterburner with the fanned frets. Cool bass and sounds killer.
I custom ordered it new around 2004 and probably have less than 50 hours on it.
For some reason, I have never been able to bond with 5 string or 6 string basses (though I have tried many times).

I decided to sell it about 3 months ago but have been to lazy to work up an ad to either ebay it or post it on the forums/craigs.

If you are interested, shoot me a PM and I can give you the details and send you pics, etc. It is in near mint condition.

T28 wrote:I have never been able to bond with 5 string or 6 string basses (though I have tried many times).

I really haven't tried, rather I take the position "if four strings is good enough for Stanley Clarke..."

I surprised myself a month or so ago when I swapped positions with my son at rehearsal and did a tune on his 6 string. It took a lot of concentration, but I was able to keep the E and B strings straight.

edski wrote:

T28 wrote:...I take the position "if four strings is good enough for Stanley Clarke..."

Stanley mostly plays his tenor bass (ADGC) but uses an MXR Deluxe Bass Octave pedal so he does, in fact, have the range of a 6 string bass available to him with a 4 string instrument. And his lowest note is an A.