The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Rickenbacker Basses => Topic started by: ilan on January 20, 2018, 03:23:38 AM

Title: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on January 20, 2018, 03:23:38 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ricguitars/photos/a.235194499897542.57215.235019996581659/1674999699250341/?type=3&theater

RIC's official facebook page: "Who's ready for NAMM next week?"

Assuming the TRC is the standard dimensions, my guess is string spacing is still tight (5 strings crammed in a 4 normal neck) and consequently a 5-saddle bridge in a modified tailpiece.

(https://scontent.fsdv2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26734521_1674999699250341_8658857350000410266_n.jpg?oh=8cb10542c79da45d672ae87069bda276&oe=5ADE40D4)
Title: Re: Here we go again
Post by: Dave W on January 20, 2018, 01:11:24 PM
It will sell, whatever the spacing. And Jeff R. will find a reason to be unhappy, whatever it turns out to be.
Title: Re: Here we go again
Post by: ilan on January 20, 2018, 06:04:17 PM
And Jeff R. will find a reason to be unhappy, whatever it turns out to be.
;D So true
Title: Re: Here we go again
Post by: Alanko on January 21, 2018, 01:59:30 PM
Rickenbacker basses are a daft candidate for 5-strings anyway. What next, 5 string Hofner Violin basses? If Rickenbacker redesigned the 4003 from the ground up for 5-string configuration then fair enough, but I wager they've simply tacked on another tuner, filed the nut with 5 slots and stuck 5 saddles on the bridge. Maybe jimmied 5 poles onto the pickups as well.
Title: Re: Here we go again
Post by: Dave W on January 21, 2018, 04:02:35 PM
I remember John Hall posting at the pit about 10-12 years ago that none of the top ten selling basses were 5 strings. RIC doesn't see the demand. They sell everything they can make to their authorized dealers, I sure don't see them designing a 5er from the ground up. Why bother?
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: doombass on January 25, 2018, 07:45:45 AM
They're made with a twist:

(https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26907715_1681782988572012_2461008808600335701_n.jpg?oh=ce7740c234123110760235ff3cfd1fbf&oe=5AE46397)
(https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26993698_1681782991905345_9114698256542314980_n.jpg?oh=5a735baaa1f7acb9ca6be509f2b30baa&oe=5ADF0773)
(https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26904684_1681782981905346_746188264293090038_n.jpg?oh=29a169813cfff6108a3a0f7fffddea67&oe=5B1FED78)

Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: gearHed289 on January 25, 2018, 08:01:43 AM
Glad to see they finally put a Schaller on a 4003. I miss the big chrome treble pickup surround. The pups look like early Alembic.

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/73155.jpg)
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: patman on January 25, 2018, 08:41:55 AM
Having been a RIC guy back in the day, and being a fiver guy now, I would like to try one.

Being a RIC, though, I know I can't afford it.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on January 25, 2018, 09:53:10 AM
It's like they're not wearing any underwear
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: patman on January 25, 2018, 11:08:36 AM
The aesthetics ARE a bit odd.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on January 25, 2018, 12:03:09 PM
The aesthetics ARE a bit odd.
A wider guard may help. I did a quick mockup:
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: patman on January 25, 2018, 01:05:37 PM
Maybe a chrome pickup ring?
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Rob on January 25, 2018, 02:23:12 PM
Both a wider guard and a ring.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Dave W on January 25, 2018, 02:44:55 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/7cBN5kx.gif) (https://imgur.com/7cBN5kx)
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Daniel_J on January 26, 2018, 06:37:25 AM
They should just have got rid of the pickguard altogether IMHO.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: gearHed289 on January 26, 2018, 08:27:06 AM
Someone somewhere suggested a 4005 style guard. That might work better.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on January 26, 2018, 10:15:54 AM
Someone somewhere suggested a 4005 style guard. That might work better.
I think so too.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Thornton Davis on January 26, 2018, 10:54:34 AM
I think the 4005 PG would be much better ascetically but it's quite obvious that they're trying to incorporate as many common non-custom parts as possible to minimize production costs.

Has there been any word regarding MSRP?

TD
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on January 26, 2018, 12:59:50 PM
I think the 4005 PG would be much better ascetically but it's quite obvious that they're trying to incorporate as many common non-custom parts as possible to minimize production costs.
These are custom guards, the pickup cutout is different. I was disappointed to see that they traced the old double-hump pickguard.

MSRP $2,499
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Happy Face on January 27, 2018, 09:17:17 AM
What kind of bridge/tailpiece is that?
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Dave W on January 27, 2018, 10:10:18 AM
What kind of bridge/tailpiece is that?

Looks like a Schaller 2000.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Jeff Scott on January 27, 2018, 06:41:45 PM
What kind of bridge/tailpiece is that?
Schaller 3D-5
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Happy Face on January 28, 2018, 07:26:42 AM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: gearHed289 on January 29, 2018, 10:32:48 AM
The problem with no guard at the end of the neck is that's where the truss rods get installed.  :-\ Looks way better though.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on January 29, 2018, 12:41:16 PM
The problem with no guard at the end of the neck is that's where the truss rods get installed.  :-\ Looks way better though.
They already solved that on the 4004 - moving neck pickup up to the neck end.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on January 29, 2018, 01:31:36 PM
Never a fan of the functionality of the original Ric bridge, I still can't get used to the looks of this one!
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Basvarken on January 29, 2018, 03:57:59 PM
Those new 5 string Rics look incredibly cheap.
I do like the pickup shape. Wonder what's inside.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Happy Face on January 29, 2018, 07:15:33 PM
I'm tempted as well. But I'd need to feel it in my hands before buying.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Denis on January 30, 2018, 05:51:52 AM
Looks to me like they did widen it a little for the extra string though. And those pups are whacky!
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Chris P. on January 30, 2018, 09:17:17 AM
I was actually the first person outside the Rickenbacker factory playing it. First morning on the first NAMM-day, Ben Hall handed it to me.

Neck is around 47mm, so nice for a fiver. Those pickup covers were still 3D printed. Growls like a Rickenbacker should.

Ben told me the following: They've spend quite a time to get the right position for the picups. The sounded to similar, so the back pickup is moved a bit towards the bridge. And to answer Basvarken's question. I hope I understood this correctly: It are single coils with a v-shaped magnet, so you have kinda two polepieces, wider under the B, E and A, and smaller under the others. Well, of course the spaving gets smaller per string. It gives an even sound, according to Ben. Like all pickups they are made at Rickenbacker's.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Basvarken on January 30, 2018, 10:09:35 AM
Ah! Like the Gibson V2 pickups

(http://blog.discmakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/10_FlyingV2.jpg)
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Dave W on January 30, 2018, 10:40:21 AM
Let's hope that it sounds better than the V2 pickups.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: gearHed289 on January 30, 2018, 10:46:15 AM
I posted this bit of humor on a facebook Ric fan page and got over 200 reactions and I don't know how many comments.  ;D

Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Dave W on January 30, 2018, 10:54:37 AM
 So true! :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Chris P. on January 30, 2018, 12:35:39 PM
I think, after seeing it in real life daily for for days, I can get used to the looks of the pickups. One strange thing: they 'echo' the triangular inlays of a Ricky but this one hasn't got triangular inlays... ...I'm wondering how that would look together. More in balance?
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Dave W on January 30, 2018, 04:51:13 PM
I think, after seeing it in real life daily for for days, I can get used to the looks of the pickups. One strange thing: they 'echo' the triangular inlays of a Ricky but this one hasn't got triangular inlays... ...I'm wondering how that would look together. More in balance?

Possibly, but they don't do the triangular inlays on unbound necks. If they bound the necks, people would want body binding. And then they would complain about the increased price.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on February 01, 2018, 12:26:48 AM
I posted this bit of humor on a facebook Ric fan page and got over 200 reactions and I don't know how many comments.  ;D
Rickenbacker fans: "We want something new and different (and if possible, not ugly)!"
Rickenbacker:

RIC never seem to think the 5 stringer through. First was the narrow string spacing on the old S/5, then the pickups fiasco on the Cii/5, now the weird looks issue. They should have consulted a good designer. I think that most Ric fans would be happy with the old S/5 reissued with a wider string spacing, or the Cii/5 reintroduced with new pickups that cover all 5 strings.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: patman on February 01, 2018, 06:46:34 AM
I'm already used to the looks.

'course I play a 2013 Gibson EB 5 string.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on February 01, 2018, 11:39:05 AM
The proof is in how they will get that B string to sound not like pudding with a not even quite regular long scale neck. That is an issue with  the old 5er where the B sting sounds wholly different to the other strings making it more of a "4+1-" than a true 5-string.

The narrow string spacing is no issue for pick players and that, children, is after all how Rics deserve to be played! (ducking ...)
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Chris P. on February 01, 2018, 11:42:45 AM
I played it and despite I'm not a five string player, I noticed the strings sound very even.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on February 01, 2018, 05:14:15 PM
I played it and despite I'm not a five string player, I noticed the strings sound very even.

Okay, now all they had to do is put those balanced new pickups inside chrome covers that look like part of the 4000 series theme.

If I had bought one, I'd probably order a wider guard and some sort of silvery surround, or a wider guard in matte black.

Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: cheyenne on February 06, 2018, 01:42:52 PM
I wish them success, but its not for me.  :o
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on February 06, 2018, 05:58:51 PM
Now if they had matched the trapezoid pups with trapezoid fretboard inlays - small things like that matter ...
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Chris P. on February 08, 2018, 02:10:03 AM
Exactly my words, Uwe!
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: gearHed289 on February 08, 2018, 10:34:56 AM
Now if they had matched the trapezoid pups with trapezoid fretboard inlays - small things like that matter ...

Too "matchy-matchy". All those triangles would make it too busy. I think the absence of the big chrome ring for the treble pup is the biggest offender here. That is, if they're going to stick with that pickguard.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Jeff Scott on February 08, 2018, 02:00:05 PM
Too "matchy-matchy". All those triangles would make it too busy.
Exactly my thinking, too.  It is perfect with the dot inlays.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on February 09, 2018, 11:09:14 AM
Exactly my words, Uwe!

No one has any grasp of good design here except us two, Chris!

(http://www.habermehl-holzschuhe.de/contents/media/l_rode-klompen-nijhuis_20160511101650.jpg)

(http://precision-panzer.moonfruit.com/communities/9/004/006/621/409/images/4536562049.jpg)

Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Chris P. on February 09, 2018, 02:11:51 PM
 :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

We should work together more as nations.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on February 15, 2018, 07:50:20 PM
My daughter is moving to Amsterdam into the apartment of her Dutch friend, that is enough "work together more as nations" for me!  :mrgreen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN7j-LCgaiE
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on February 15, 2018, 11:21:07 PM
The same daughter that went to TAU?
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Chris P. on February 16, 2018, 02:46:17 AM
You know that I'm always ready for coffee if you visit Amsterdam.
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on February 16, 2018, 11:12:42 AM
The same daughter that went to TAU?

Sure, the Dutchman in question was discovering his Jewish roots. Interesting story: When Germany invaded The Netherlands in 1940 the records of his grandmother (or great-grandmother) on the mother side were all of the sudden "lost" by the Dutch municipal authorities. Once they were recreated, everything was exactly as before - with one small difference: The religion bracket on her identity card was filled in with "Catholic" rather than "Jewish" which I'm sure must have been a clumsy oversight by that oaf of a public officer. Or he was a resistance hero that didn't talk much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKPoBGe2oNU

Not a practicing Jew in the first place, what granny was - incidentally, the Germans never came knocking - became lost in the mists of time: It hadn't been relevant before the war, it wasn't relevant after the war. Until some years ago, when the family secret was lifted and my likely future son-in-law found out about it. That's when he decided to take a trip to Israel (the necessary maternal lineage is there for him to be qualified as a Jew), and the rest is history as they say.

When I first met him in Tel Aviv in a street cafe, I introduced myself as

"Hi, I'm Uwe, my grandfather had his army training in The Netherlands in 1941, he always said he liked that period in his life better than the Eastern Front and 5 year Russian captivity that followed, and, yes, we still have a few surplus bikes from him in our cellar, want them back?"


My daughter rolled her eyes :rolleyes: and moaned "Papa!!!" under her breath, but he cracked up laughing and I think it broke some ice.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: ilan on February 16, 2018, 02:11:31 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_uLhPVJeH0
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: uwe on February 16, 2018, 03:14:32 PM
I hoped to come across a bit more Woody Allen'esque than that with my introduction!  8)
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: gearHed289 on February 17, 2018, 10:04:09 AM

"Hi, I'm Uwe, my grandfather had his army training in The Netherlands in 1941, he always said he liked that period in his life better than the Eastern Front and 5 year Russian captivity that followed, and, yes, we still have a few surplus bikes from him in our cellar, want them back?"


My daughter rolled her eyes :rolleyes: and moaned "Papa!!!" under her breath, but he cracked up laughing and I think it broke some ice.  :mrgreen:

 ;D ;D ;D A true dad you are Uwe!
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: exiledarchangel on February 23, 2018, 12:01:03 PM
Oh, is it WW2 jokes time already? :D
Title: Re: Here we go again... the S/5 is back
Post by: Pilgrim on April 27, 2018, 12:08:05 PM
You know that I'm always ready for coffee if you visit Amsterdam.

Chris, I'll be there in June!