Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've got myself a rather nice 2004 4004L that had been converted in the past to a 5 string, but it was re-configured as a 4-string when I bought it. I'm on the verge of having the 5th hole in the headstock professionally filled etc, but thought I might try it as a 5 string first. The Schaller Hi-mass or 3D-5 seem to the bridges to go for, except that minimum spacing is 16mm, which will give an overall width of 64mm+ which as a guestimate is too wide for the bridge position HB-1 - I mean strings beyond the outer edges of the pickup!

Any other bridge thoughts?

Guy
(VC)

PS - original 4-string ABM bridge fitted at the moment - even on the narrowest setting, the strings are close to the edge of the bridge pickup, with 56mm of width at the bridge.

ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!! Despite the title, its a 4004L not a 400L

I thought you were trying to conserve on the use of the number 4

vulcan_creedler wrote:ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!! Despite the title, its a 4004L not a 400L

I've corrected the title.

Contact Ric5, the expert on 4-to-5 conversions.

Still hoping anybody can advise on a good bridge for the 5-string conversion. The Schaller's seem to be just a tad too wide!

iiipopes wrote:Contact Ric5, the expert on 4-to-5 conversions.

+1.

Ric5 is the expert when it comes to 4 to 5 string conversions. He hangs out over at the talkbass forum.

Thanks - I've just registered there!

Guy.......I've done many a 5-string conversion myself, and I can tell you that there is no stock 5 string bridge that will work properly on even the earlier 4004's with the wide neck. There's the Kahler with the adjustable saddles that slide on a bridge plate, but it looks aweful and out of place on a Rick. My preference is the stock 4003S5 tailpiece setup, but this requires routing the bass like a 4003. String pitch is limited to 60mm. This spacing will put the strings a normal distance from the edge of the fretboard and work with the stock HB1's. The Schaller 496 bridge is just too wide, although John Hall told me it's probably what they'll use when the 4004/5 is reintroduced with wider pickups and a wider neck. Have a look in my bass photo album on FaceBook and you'll see a couple 4004 5 string conversions I've done with modified stock 4003 tailpiece assemblies.

Sorry I overlooked you and your fine work Dane., Its just when I think of 5 string conversions, Jeff R. automatically comes to mind. I should have thought about it a bit longer.

That's okay Scott. I've only done half a dozen or so of these, but Jeff has cranked out at least 25 or so. We also each have our own distinct way of doing these too.

Here's a 4004L MID I converted for a customer in Canada...

Dane - that is just a fabulous looking bass!


Jeff did email me, with a bridge he uses, I've asked him what brand it is, but looks like it fits the HB1 in the bridge position! He pointed me towards an ebay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Strings-Adjus ... 417f828f30

String centres are 14.5mm. So thats 58mm overall. No idea what the quality is like, but at $7.99, it's worth a punt!

Well there ya go then. I stand corrected! I've added it to my Ebay watch list.

Hmmmmm...looks familiar.