Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

With all the chatter about 5-string basses and the advantages of a thundering low B, I decided to compromise – for now, anyway. Instead of converting a 4-string to 5-string, I purchased a low B and filed the nut on my Fireglo Larado last weekend. I tried it through my amp for the first time last night at band practice. Oooo nice! Now the bass is strung BEAD. I had to tweak the trusses and pull back the bridge adjusters on the B and E strings a bit, but it seems to work fine.

I play by ear and position (patterns), so the adjustment should be easy. I can't say I miss the G string much at all. I got in the habit of avoiding open strings as I play to make it easier for me to remember patterns if a key change is in order. With the low B, I find I'm playing everything up five frets (half steps) and haven't run out of room getting to the highest notes I usually play. Think I'll keep this bass with this setup. Anybody else do this?

nice idea...never tried
hoping this won't compromise the neck adjustements

Cool, Paul.

Pics of that FG Laredo, please!

been playing BEAD for years. you'll find that the 5 notes on top will never be missed, but those 5 extra low notes, O.M.G! you'll be all over them once you get used to it. david

Hmmmmm.....might be a good idea to try it on my Shadow.....

I've been thinking about doing that on my V63, but am a little concerned about the string "flop", because we tune a half step down. I barely get away with tuning to drop D as is. But, I don't want to go back to playing my Jazz B.

Actually, Jeff Rath took some great photos of the Fireglo Laredo, and maybe he can repost them. This bass is the only Fireglo Laredo I've ever seen; seen a couple of Fireglo Cheyenne IIs. But here is a family portrait from December. Note the Cheyene I and Laredo have been "Rathed" with vol/vol/tone in place of the microswitch/vol/tone. The finish has too much contrast in this digital shot, almost black on the outside edges, but it's really a beautiful deep wine color.

always love to see a family portrait..

I have one of my 4003's strung BEAD and have no desire for a 5 string anymore. I only use it for songs where the extra lows are required so it is also a good reason to rotate my Rics during a show.....no bench warmers here

yep ... Paul wanted me to do a 425 conversion on his 4003 MB I told him that he should keep the MB intact ... the BEAD is a good idea ... you can still get to a high A# by going up the neck ...

here's some pics of the 4004L fg ...

I thought about doing this, but not to any of my Rics. I just picked up a sweet Daion X-B and between it's 35" scale and strings thru body bridge, i think it would be a good candidate.

Paul,

I like those colored Hofners!
My first base was a beat-up 1970 Hofner, that had very little finish left, so my brother and I painted it black (along with cherry red, and cream). The black was sharp!

Can Ricks handle the low B tuned down a half step?

yep ... I sometimes play a Ric 5 detuned to 1/2 step ...

Funny, I have a 5 string OLP that I tune up a 1/2 step. Seems like more and more bands are playing with a low C these days.

The guitarist I jam with likes the dropped C tuning CGCFAD, basically dropped-d down a step. Since that tuning puts him down in my range, it allows me to take over the melodic parts. Much more fun than pedaling out 8th notes or doubling guitar riffs all night long.