Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently purchased a 4005 with a strange replacement bridge and two pick ups curiously placed. Having taken the middle position pick up off and removed the bridge, it looks as if it could have been a 3 pick up version as the routing seems identical. Either when the bridge pick up was moved to a central position the routing was copied very closely - or could this have been a three pick up version....over to the experts for your comments.

I believe the word for that is modification ... how is it wired?

it is actually not a bad idea and seems to be well done ... but it does lessen the value of a vintage instrument ...

A three pickup 4005? No way. What you got is simply a modified 4005 wherein the bridge pickup has been moved to the middle position and a new bridge assembly has been installed.

Somebody just didn't like that HUGE gap between the p/u's!! lol! Still looks good , though!!

I bow to your superior judgement . I think you're right though. It just looks very neat. Wiring looks as my other 4005. I'm deciding whether to make it a three pick up (which I think would look awesome - a kind of super stretch 370 look) or restore it to its original glory. Thanks as always.

My opinion (like anybody asked for it) would be to leave it as a three pickup version....especially since you have another. Plus it looks like whoever did it did a nice job. I wouldn't do this modification myself but since it is done already, I would leave it alone for it's "cool" factor.

If it were mine I would put a high gain in the middle instead of the toaster ... this would give it more growl ...

How does it sound? I have often wanted a three PU bass, it would give it a lot of midrange presence I bet.

I think this was the E Bay 4005 I looked at for 10 mins the other week while deliberating about buying. Graham took advantage of that exchange rate...If it wasn,t black I probably would have bit, mods and all.
I,d keep it a 3 p/u bass. Simon Mole has one too that has been changed this way. Looks good and he says it sounds great. He,s in the U.K. too Graham.

HELLO GRAHAM. MY NAME IS GWALMUFTANABO AND I AM LOOKING FOR A RICKENBACKER 4005 MUCH LIKE YOUR FINE INSTRUMENT I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY YOU 20,000 AMERICAN DOLLARS FOR YOUR FINE INSTRUMENT AND PAY ALL SHIPPING COST OF COURSE. I MUST PAY YOU WITH BANQUE CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF 1,000,000.00 AND ASK THAT YOU PLEASE DEPOSIT THE REST IN MY ACCOUNT IN NIGERIA IF YOU PLEASE THANK YOU. I MUST KNOW SOON TO MAKE BANQUE ARRANGEMENT ASAP AND WE MUST DO IT QUICKLY AND PLEASE DO NOT TELL YOUR FRIENDS OR ANYBODY ABOUT THIS AS I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. BY THE WAY, I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA OF USA

LOL

Mr Graham Sir, do not listen to this criminal. I am in fact his poor maligned brother, who goes round this large world piecing up the picks from his various nefarious undertakings.

Prior to any shipment to my esteemed brother, I must be requesting that you send the goods of named to myself, for sure verification and delivelry assurance. I am currently in her Majesty's Pleasure in the wondefull country of Canadia.

Once I am in reciept of this wonderfull musicial prodigy you will further be contacted you through my attorneys at "Swindle, Grabbit and Runn" wherefor to send full credit card details so they may compensate you greatly for your outstanding effort.

my lawyers are "Dewey Chetem & Howe" ...

3 pickup basses are cool ... I like to wire them with 3 volumes and 1 tone ... certain settings will have a phase canceling ... you usually can't run all 3 volumes at 10 ... try the mid volume at 10 and the other 2 at 5 to 7 range ...

I'd buy those hi-gain/toaster combos the guy from Hawaii is selling on the 'bay right now....anybody here dealt with them yet??

I may have to look into this....