Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know Jared got his for a steal, Pick of the Rics has a 2001 Jetglo for $1950. Is that what I'm gonna have to pay to get one of these bad boys?

I'd other than the ultra dog luck that I happened upon, I'd say $1400-$1700.

IMHO

Mike ... these 4003s5 basses are the greatest thing on the face of the earth ... I paid about $700 for the cream one in 2001 ... it is an 89 with several chips and dings and some discoloration and some fretware ... I paid $1100 for the blue one in 2002 ... it is a 1990 ... pretty clean and a nice neck .... I paid $1650 for the red one in 2003 it is a 1998 ... it is cleaner than some basses in music stores ...



Then I got this one in 2004 for $1400 ... it really kicks major butt ... I love it ... it is a 1990 4003s5 refinished with a hand rubbed oil finish and it has a v63 look alike pickguard ...

Then I also modified a 4004L and a 2030 into five string basses ... I got both of them for under $1000 ...



and soon I will be modding a 4003 into a five string ...

speaking of fives..

+
or
&

Now if I could learn how to play these things...

if 5 is good, then eight is better...

on and on and on



Actually easier to play than a five!

Jared - I agreed with you on the playing thing. I still think the top string is E half the time.

Jeff - How do like the spacing on the converted basses vs the factory? My current 5er is 1 11/16 at the nut and it's a bit close.

The 4004 is wider at the nut and bridge than a 4003s5 ... the 2030-5 is narrower at the nut but wider at the bridge ... when I convert a 4003 into a five string it will be about 1/16 narrower at the nut and about 1/16" wider at the bridge ...

but then again I also have a jazz bass that is 1 1/2" at the nut with five strings ... it is actually quite easy to play ...for me a narrow bridge is more of a problem than a narrow nut ... I don't have lumberjack hands so I like a slim neck with close strings ... but the nature of bass playing leads me to a 1/2" per string spacing at the bridge as optimal for my playing style ...

most five string basses are close to 2" at the nut and 3" +/- at the bridge ... this is way too wide for me ... the neck resembles a multi-lane freeway instead of a musical instrument ...

Someone should start a thread of pictures of your 5'ver
Here is my baby!

cool!

Speaking of Ricky 5's, a project begun some time ago will be finished within the next week or two. I'm having replacement 5-string bridges machined out of solid brass and chrome plated. These bridges will fit the 3000/4000 series tailpieces. I can also modify the stock tailpieces to resemble the stock 4003/5 tailpiece for use with these bridges. Details and photos to follow so stay tuned....

News at eleven

Dane,
You too?

you will be assimilated ... you will play 5 string rics ... resistance is futile ...

"the concept of humour, is illogical"