Rickenbacker 4004 Laredo 4 or 5 string - Pending - *SOLD* £1750 East Sussex

[6feet7]

I bought this bass a couple of years ago and had it converted to a 5 string. I absolutely adore it in every way possible, but finances are dire at the moment, so this &/or my Gibson non-reverse thunderbird 5 string conversion have to go 

It comes with the official Rickenbacker hard case

I can fit the original Schaller 3d bridge and the brass nut it came with as well as putting a dowel in the tuner hole and painting this (though the paint wont look like it did from the factory) if you want it converted back to a 4 stringer.

I'll be devestated that both of these basses have to go, but needs must.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 27 by 6feet7

[7enderhead]

Interesting! Which bridge did you use, and what is the string spacing now?

[6feet7]

51 minutes ago, 7enderhead said:

Interesting! Which bridge did you use, and what is the string spacing now?

I found the bridge on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203709875867?var=504146879934  - string spacing is 15mm.

The nut is 43mm

I tried the Schaller 5 string bridge but the spacing was too wide for the neck, so that ended up on my non-reverse Thunderbird.

Hope that helps

[7enderhead]

Thanks for the information! Unfortunately outside of my free trading zone, but otherwise a very intriguing bass...

[Woodinblack]

That looks amazing, and the spacing sounds great too, but a bit tricky to know without trying it. I am guessing the 4004s don't sound much like the 4003s etc? I have not actually ever tried one (in fact I am not sure if i have ever seen one in real life)

[6feet7]

On 22/11/2024 at 18:18, Woodinblack said:

That looks amazing, and the spacing sounds great too, but a bit tricky to know without trying it. I am guessing the 4004s don't sound much like the 4003s etc? I have not actually ever tried one (in fact I am not sure if i have ever seen one in real life)

It's been so long since I had a 4003 that I don't remember the difference in sound. I think Bass Bross has a 4004 in at the moment. I understand that the 4004L (this one) is a little brighter than the 4004C (but don't quote me on that). What I can say is that they are far, far more comfortable to play than the 'traditional' 4001/3.

[Woodinblack]

Sounds good - so the neck has no problems having an extra big string i guess? I see a few people on the net have it done

 

[prowla]

I've got a Laredo, but TBH I've never compare side-by-side against a 4001/4003.

For me, I'd be looking to convert this one back to a 4-string, so the additional cost of that (plus a refin) would be prohibitive.

[6feet7]

9 hours ago, Woodinblack said:

Sounds good - so the neck has no problems having an extra big string i guess? I see a few people on the net have it done

 

Yup, it's a 'common' thing to do (plus I think Rick themselves did something very similar back in the day ie. just added the tuner.

 

I don't think a complete refinish is necessary for a tuner hole though. The bridge is in the same place and someone who knew what they were doing could match in the tuner hole quite easily if you wanted showroom condition.

[Woodinblack]

I certainly wouldn’t, the interesting thing to me is the 5 string thing, can pick up a stock 4004 anywhere, but wouldn’t have the nerve to do it myself!