Rickenbacker 4005/6 6-string Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965)
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Item #12622
Rickenbacker 4005/6 6-string Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Santa Ana, CA, serial # EJ-101, Fireglo red sunburst finish, maple body, laminated maple and walnut neck with padouk fingerboard, original silver tolex hard shell case.
The Model 4005/6 bass is one of Rickenbacker's absolutely rarest and least-known 1960s creations, seemingly doomed to extinction right from birth; this is one ogf the first born! The hollowbody 4005 bass was conceived as a companion to their extremely popular 300 series guitars; the 4-string version never really caught on but this 6-string variant is a true unicorn.
This is the ONLY long scale (33 1/2") 6-string bass made in the 1960s; all similar instruments were built with a 30" scale or less (with the equally rare exception of the 32 1/2" scale Hagstrom Coronado). None of the extremely limited number (some estimate 10 or less) of 4005/6 basses made seem to have made any mark on musical history, sad to say. Nonetheless this Fireglo marvel is a stunning sight to behold and a great instrument to play, with what seems like miles of unencumbered neck and a versatile sound ranging from resoundingly deep to bright and snappy with the twist of a knob.
Starting in 1964 Rickenbacker was prodded by Rose-Morris in England to come up with a hollowbody bass, the dominant style preferred by many "beat group" players there. The company's 4000/4001 solidbody bass eventually became hugely popular with UK musicians but in the 1964-5 period was seen with only a few top pro players. The Model 4005 was the result, built on an elongated 360-style guitar body with a full 33 1/2" scale neck and deluxe inlay like the 4001. 4 and 6-string versions first appeared on Rickenbacker's August 1965 price lists (at $474.50 and $499.50, respectively) but few were ever delivered.
This 4005/6 has a serial number dating to October 1965 and is one of the VERY earliest made; currently only two 1965 examples with sequential serial numbers (EJ-100 and this, EJ-101) are known to exist. It has a bevy of unusual features both for a hollow body bass and a 6-string "Baritone guitar" style instrument. Essentially it combines features from other Rickenbacker instruments; The headstock and neck shapes were carried over from the 4001, the "toaster-top" pickups and bridge were modified guitar fittings. The bound slash soundhole and checkerboard binding on the back are identical to the Model 360 guitar. The long unencumbered neck with a bound, slash inlaid fingerboard seems to go on for miles before meeting the body; at the other end 6 large Kluson bass machines are fitted to an extended 4001 style headstock. The rich red Fireglo sunburst has a lovely effect over some flamey maple and the crushed pearl inlay adds a glam touch.
The two "Toaster Top" pickups are very widely spaced, controlled by the standard 5-knob Rickenbacker rig including the fifth "blend" knob that actually is quite useful. Despite the deluxe trim the 4005/6 is wired in mono with no "Rick-O-Sound" stereo output. The trademark Rickenbacker clear sound adds greatly to the appeal of this model; it sounds fabulous played as a standard bass and also excels as a guitar-like chord/melody machine. The long scale may seem daunting to guitarists at first but the clarity and definition of the tone is unique among vintage instruments of this type.
Despite a great sound and imposing looks the 4005/6 never made any impact on players; The Danelectros and Fender Bass VI that defined the limited market for 6-string basses were already falling from favor by the time it was introduced. Production of ALL Rickenbacker basses was extremely limited in the '60s, and this model is the rarest of the bunch; it is estimated only a couple of handfuls were ever made. One reason was the cost; in 1965 the nearly $500 list price (plus $64.50 for the case) was over $150 more expensive than even a custom-color Fender Bass VI with 3 pickups and vibrato! Various finish and trim options were tried but even the 4-string the 4005 did not benefit from the huge uptick in Rickenbacker bass success in the late 60s and 1970s, while the 6-string version simply disappeared.
Today the 4005 basses have developed a cult following among adventurous bassists, but few have ever even seen the 4005/6. Its totally unique feel and sound has simply never been duplicated. This 1965 4005/6 shows some light wear but plays very well; it can sound monstrous when pushed at high volume but also offers a delicately flavored semi-acoustic timbre at lower volumes. And this Fireglo skyscraper simply looks spectacular in the bargain!
Overall length is 48 1/2 in. (123.2 cm.), 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 33 1/2 in. (851 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This bass remains essentially all original with generally light wear, minor repair and a couple of playability tweaks. There is not a lot of play wear; just some fine checking on the body with small dings and dents here and there. Repairs are minimal; The typical fingerboard separation (almost ubiquitous on 1960s Rick basses, caused by the truss rod design) is confined to a tiny sealed check between the fingerboard and neck on the bass side just below the nut and a small crack on the treble side forward of the nut that has been neatly sealed and touched up. There are no visible separations or repairs at the neck heel.
The cast floating part of the "R" tailpiece is an exact correct original vintage replacement; these bases were actually built with re-purposed 12-string "R" tailpieces! The original is in the case but had some slots filed out for larger ballend strings than the bass is currently fitted with, hence the substitution. The bass is strung with a custom light gauge ground-wound string set we commissioned from LaBella which sound great in both "straight bass" and more guitar-like mode. The original bridge baseplate is in the case; the bass is currently fitted with a thinner direct replacement Winfield Vintage baseplate which seamlessly allows more comfortable lower action settings without any other modification.
This is a overall an amazing example of this exceptionally rare and extremely eccentric bass instrument, a true Rickenbacker grail. As a player's instrument it has a wide sonic range and very distinctive character, a truly unique creation still waiting for a champion almost 60 years after its creation. It is housed in the classic original silver tolex Rickenbacker case which is lightly worn but fully functional. A spare set of the custom LaBella strings is included, along with a very light gauge roundwound set assembled with vintage Rotosound strings. Overall Excellent - Condition.
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The Model 4005/6 bass is one of Rickenbacker's absolutely rarest and least-known 1960s creations, seemingly doomed to extinction right from birth; this is one ogf the first born! The hollowbody 4005 bass was conceived as a companion to their extremely popular 300 series guitars; the 4-string version never really caught on but this 6-string variant is a true unicorn.
This is the ONLY long scale (33 1/2") 6-string bass made in the 1960s; all similar instruments were built with a 30" scale or less (with the equally rare exception of the 32 1/2" scale Hagstrom Coronado). None of the extremely limited number (some estimate 10 or less) of 4005/6 basses made seem to have made any mark on musical history, sad to say. Nonetheless this Fireglo marvel is a stunning sight to behold and a great instrument to play, with what seems like miles of unencumbered neck and a versatile sound ranging from resoundingly deep to bright and snappy with the twist of a knob.
Starting in 1964 Rickenbacker was prodded by Rose-Morris in England to come up with a hollowbody bass, the dominant style preferred by many "beat group" players there. The company's 4000/4001 solidbody bass eventually became hugely popular with UK musicians but in the 1964-5 period was seen with only a few top pro players. The Model 4005 was the result, built on an elongated 360-style guitar body with a full 33 1/2" scale neck and deluxe inlay like the 4001. 4 and 6-string versions first appeared on Rickenbacker's August 1965 price lists (at $474.50 and $499.50, respectively) but few were ever delivered.
This 4005/6 has a serial number dating to October 1965 and is one of the VERY earliest made; currently only two 1965 examples with sequential serial numbers (EJ-100 and this, EJ-101) are known to exist. It has a bevy of unusual features both for a hollow body bass and a 6-string "Baritone guitar" style instrument. Essentially it combines features from other Rickenbacker instruments; The headstock and neck shapes were carried over from the 4001, the "toaster-top" pickups and bridge were modified guitar fittings. The bound slash soundhole and checkerboard binding on the back are identical to the Model 360 guitar. The long unencumbered neck with a bound, slash inlaid fingerboard seems to go on for miles before meeting the body; at the other end 6 large Kluson bass machines are fitted to an extended 4001 style headstock. The rich red Fireglo sunburst has a lovely effect over some flamey maple and the crushed pearl inlay adds a glam touch.
The two "Toaster Top" pickups are very widely spaced, controlled by the standard 5-knob Rickenbacker rig including the fifth "blend" knob that actually is quite useful. Despite the deluxe trim the 4005/6 is wired in mono with no "Rick-O-Sound" stereo output. The trademark Rickenbacker clear sound adds greatly to the appeal of this model; it sounds fabulous played as a standard bass and also excels as a guitar-like chord/melody machine. The long scale may seem daunting to guitarists at first but the clarity and definition of the tone is unique among vintage instruments of this type.
Despite a great sound and imposing looks the 4005/6 never made any impact on players; The Danelectros and Fender Bass VI that defined the limited market for 6-string basses were already falling from favor by the time it was introduced. Production of ALL Rickenbacker basses was extremely limited in the '60s, and this model is the rarest of the bunch; it is estimated only a couple of handfuls were ever made. One reason was the cost; in 1965 the nearly $500 list price (plus $64.50 for the case) was over $150 more expensive than even a custom-color Fender Bass VI with 3 pickups and vibrato! Various finish and trim options were tried but even the 4-string the 4005 did not benefit from the huge uptick in Rickenbacker bass success in the late 60s and 1970s, while the 6-string version simply disappeared.
Today the 4005 basses have developed a cult following among adventurous bassists, but few have ever even seen the 4005/6. Its totally unique feel and sound has simply never been duplicated. This 1965 4005/6 shows some light wear but plays very well; it can sound monstrous when pushed at high volume but also offers a delicately flavored semi-acoustic timbre at lower volumes. And this Fireglo skyscraper simply looks spectacular in the bargain!
Overall length is 48 1/2 in. (123.2 cm.), 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 33 1/2 in. (851 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This bass remains essentially all original with generally light wear, minor repair and a couple of playability tweaks. There is not a lot of play wear; just some fine checking on the body with small dings and dents here and there. Repairs are minimal; The typical fingerboard separation (almost ubiquitous on 1960s Rick basses, caused by the truss rod design) is confined to a tiny sealed check between the fingerboard and neck on the bass side just below the nut and a small crack on the treble side forward of the nut that has been neatly sealed and touched up. There are no visible separations or repairs at the neck heel.
The cast floating part of the "R" tailpiece is an exact correct original vintage replacement; these bases were actually built with re-purposed 12-string "R" tailpieces! The original is in the case but had some slots filed out for larger ballend strings than the bass is currently fitted with, hence the substitution. The bass is strung with a custom light gauge ground-wound string set we commissioned from LaBella which sound great in both "straight bass" and more guitar-like mode. The original bridge baseplate is in the case; the bass is currently fitted with a thinner direct replacement Winfield Vintage baseplate which seamlessly allows more comfortable lower action settings without any other modification.
This is a overall an amazing example of this exceptionally rare and extremely eccentric bass instrument, a true Rickenbacker grail. As a player's instrument it has a wide sonic range and very distinctive character, a truly unique creation still waiting for a champion almost 60 years after its creation. It is housed in the classic original silver tolex Rickenbacker case which is lightly worn but fully functional. A spare set of the custom LaBella strings is included, along with a very light gauge roundwound set assembled with vintage Rotosound strings. Overall Excellent - Condition.
