Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Last week ric facebook said they were making 4005xc’s again.

Any idea how many are being produced? I had my name put on one (the last of maybe 5 fireglo that long and mequade ordered). Also wondering how quickly they pump them out… aka will i get mine in 2023?

Only Ric could say.
I’d love a short scale bass from Ric and been waitin for years.
But at 5k+US$ I must pass.
Let us know if they are worth it and please post pics and sound clips.

IIRC, in one of the other threads here on the 90th Anniversary models it is mentioned that there are 90 of each being made.

it is likely that in the end the 4005XC production will outnumber the figures of the original 4005 due to the higher visibility that the modern marketing provides
however, its price is outrageous and unjustified in my opinion

I don't think the production was limited in number, only in order time. There may well be a lot of these. I gigged with mine Saturday night and I have to say it was easy on the shoulder for 3 hours. The nice soft flats I put on it didn't hurt either. When RIC was taking orders, I remember them saying they'd be out by the end of this year. I'm still waiting for my 480XC, so I hope that's true!

rickinroma wrote:it is likely that in the end the 4005XC production will outnumber the figures of the original 4005 due to the higher visibility that the modern marketing provides
however, its price is outrageous and unjustified in my opinion

The actual price that many I know are actually paying is closer to $4k. There are plenty of handmade US built guitars and basses that go for more with a way lower cool factor.

John Hall has said many times that a "modern" 4005 would be expensive.

cheyenne wrote:John Hall has said many times that a "modern" 4005 would be expensive.

That is why they just conceived a 4-strings 330 LOL

Makes sense. And everyone I know that has one loves theirs. I know I do!

What is the measurement from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret?

Looks like a 330 body though and not a 4005 body so why do they call it a 4005? Is it just a 330 with a bass neck?

Is it a neck thru semi hollow or a hollow?

15 1/4" , so it's a 30 1/2" scale. There is X bracing and a center block. I think calling it 4005 is more for hype and marketing reasons (and understandable), and is mitigated by the XC. A rose by any other name, right?

lumgimfong wrote:What is the measurement from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret?

Looks like a 330 body though and not a 4005 body so why do they call it a 4005? Is it just a 330 with a bass neck?

Is it a neck thru semi hollow or a hollow?

Technically, since it's bound, this is a 360 body with a bass neck.

Since the only other semi-hollow bass models are the 4005, I can only assume that was the linear thinking of including the XC model as part of that series. I'll agree that it's somewhat misleading to those who don't understand the context of the model names since the beginning.

Over the history of this brand, Rickenbacker model names have followed specifications -- not body shapes. For example, a 360 was originally the Capri body shape, then it was revised in 1961 to the double bound "new Capri" and then became the rounded-top "New Style" in 1964 --- and all three are technically 360 models, despite having drastically different body shapes.

Thanks for the info y'all.
So it is a true shortscale after all. Very nice.
I have committed to only buying shortscales from now on. My hands don't like long scales anymore.
I am sure it is a very nice sounding and playing bass.

For the record, 4005s are fully hollow body with X-bracing.

lumgimfong wrote:Thanks for the info y'all.
So it is a true shortscale after all. Very nice.
I have committed to only buying shortscales from now on. My hands don't like long scales anymore.
I am sure it is a very nice sounding and playing bass.

I have to say that the short scale is one of the aspects I like about these basses the most.

I'm primarily a guitar player, and have fairly short arms so I appreciate not having a full length neck on there.