Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Forumites,

Please join me in welcoming this new 4005V Fireglo into the world.

I never thought I would be able to own one of these. I wrote e-mail to RIC in 1996 suggesting that they consider reissuing the 4005. I thought that if they could produce the 360 on a regular basis, why not the 4005? Plus semi-hollow Epiphone basses were selling well at the time. I guess my powers of persuasion finally took hold.

But seriously, I really like the toaster pickups in this bass. In the middle position, they seem to compete with each other, like a Jazz bass but more so. This might be an excellent use case for Rick-o-Sound. Has anyone tried this? But the sound really opens up when I solo the neck pickup - thunderous and clear at the same time.

While waiting for the bass to arrive, I imagined that I would replace the strings with flatwounds. But I think the toasters and rounds are a perfect match. I’m sticking with them.

The fingerboard on this specimen is best appreciated up close, maybe with a magnifying glass. The gloss finish reveals the fine details of the wood grain. And the triangle inlays are uniquely elegant. Does anyone here know the material? RIC splash page advertises ``crushed pearl inlays,” but I do not believe this is pearl. Specifications section only says ``Triangle pearlescent.”

Bottom line, this is an outstanding and very special bass.

bluewhale

The bass looks great, Steve!

Yes, toasters and round wounds are great, but so are toaster and flats, so you need to buy another 4005V, say, in Jetglo.

Most of the recordings I have of my old '67 4005WB are with round wounds.

Congratulations a beautiful score. I too have welcomed one to my house last month (a MG 4005V). I agree with all you said but I have no idea what material is used in the shark fins. They are pretty though. One thing that really blew me away was the neck. I have has a '74 4002 since '74. The best neck I have ever played (one of the main reasons I still have it). I am actually liking the 5th knob... kinda fun! The neck on my new 4005V is almost identical in shape, thickness and feel to the 4001. I'm in heaven with it. I have not tried the Ric-O-Sound yet but hope to early next year. I hope you like yours as much as I like mine!

If you're diming the knobs, try this instead:
Treble Volume 10
Treble Tone 10
Bass Volume 9
Bass Tone 8-10 (to taste)
5th knob anywhere near-ish the center

If you prefer a warmer rhythm sound (on guitar especially), swap my trebles above with the bass.

Probably can't go wrong with ROS though.

I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

Very nice indeed!

jdogric12 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:07 pm I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

Do you find that to be the case if the blend knob is the one being backed off?

kennyhowes wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:07 am

jdogric12 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:07 pm I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

Do you find that to be the case if the blend knob is the one being backed off?

Im not certain, but Im pretty sure 10-10-10-10 and the 5th in any position still has the "dull" sound I dislike now that I am aware of it. It's the kind of thing I never noticed until I read about it and started messing with it myself.

jps wrote: Sat Dec 14, 2024 9:58 pm The bass looks great, Steve!

Yes, toasters and round wounds are great, but so are toaster and flats, so you need to buy another 4005V, say, in Jetglo.

Thank, Jeffrey, I've always had a thing for Jetglo and checkerboard.

jdogric12 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:07 pm If you're diming the knobs, try this instead:
Treble Volume 10
Treble Tone 10
Bass Volume 9
Bass Tone 8-10 (to taste)
5th knob anywhere near-ish the center

If you prefer a warmer rhythm sound (on guitar especially), swap my trebles above with the bass.

Probably can't go wrong with ROS though.

I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

Thanks, Jason, I totally agree. ROS would force me to buy a second amp. Maybe it's time.

jdogric12 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:07 pm If you're diming the knobs, try this instead:
Treble Volume 10
Treble Tone 10
Bass Volume 9
Bass Tone 8-10 (to taste)
5th knob anywhere near-ish the center

If you prefer a warmer rhythm sound (on guitar especially), swap my trebles above with the bass.

Probably can't go wrong with ROS though.

I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

That's pretty much how I always ran my 4001V63's. The tone really opened up when backing the neck volume off just a touch.
No experience with a 5th knob.

I am one of those who doesn't "get" the fifth knob. So far, I don't see what it can do for me that I can't do just as easily by adjusting the neck pickup volume control.

So pretty. My dream bass too.so glad they are being produced again. Congrats!

teeder wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 10:33 am

jdogric12 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:07 pm If you're diming the knobs, try this instead:
Treble Volume 10
Treble Tone 10
Bass Volume 9
Bass Tone 8-10 (to taste)
5th knob anywhere near-ish the center

If you prefer a warmer rhythm sound (on guitar especially), swap my trebles above with the bass.

Probably can't go wrong with ROS though.

I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

That's pretty much how I always ran my 4001V63's. The tone really opened up when backing the neck volume off just a touch.
No experience with a 5th knob.

Kinda like this.

jps wrote: Wed Dec 25, 2024 10:19 pm

teeder wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 10:33 am

jdogric12 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:07 pm If you're diming the knobs, try this instead:
Treble Volume 10
Treble Tone 10
Bass Volume 9
Bass Tone 8-10 (to taste)
5th knob anywhere near-ish the center

If you prefer a warmer rhythm sound (on guitar especially), swap my trebles above with the bass.

Probably can't go wrong with ROS though.

I never dime all knobs on any guitar anymore. Something subtle but sweet opens up when you back one pickup off a little.

That's pretty much how I always ran my 4001V63's. The tone really opened up when backing the neck volume off just a touch.
No experience with a 5th knob.

Kinda like this.

Jeff-with-4003FL-1200 70a.jpg

Exactly like that! Especially with the patented JPS control knob alignment.

teeder wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:23 am

jps wrote: Wed Dec 25, 2024 10:19 pm

teeder wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 10:33 am

That's pretty much how I always ran my 4001V63's. The tone really opened up when backing the neck volume off just a touch.
No experience with a 5th knob.

Kinda like this.

Jeff-with-4003FL-1200 70a.jpg

Exactly like that! Especially with the patented JPS control knob alignment.

® and ™ too!