Bass 10

GMC - CarlosBacker

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I'm really interesed in building a Rickenbacker influenced bass and an accompaying electric guitar. I've neer been much of a fan of the 4001 bass shape but I really like the 4005 hollow body. I really like the 620 body shape, so I'll use that as a pattern. But it'll be hollow like a 330 / 4005.

I'm thinking an all maple routed out body and a Maple and Walnut laminated neck. I'm in two minds of using the traditional Rickenbacker long set neck construction with the maple plate of the back or making it all though on the rear and let it been seen on the back.

Finish wise, I'm thinking either natural (maple) with the all though neck showing to the rear or Painting the front in a cool metallic pale blue fleck....nice!

Either way, a Bubinga fretboard is required with triangluar crushed MOP markers, binding and Ric inspired scale lenght. The guitar is easy 24.5", but the bass is either 33.25" (!?!) if I want a 20 fret board. Or I can use the more recent 30.5" scale neck with a full 24 fret compliment. I like the idea of the short sacle length, which will make it sound even more Beatles sounding (Hofner basses have a similar short scale length too). But the 33.25" scale length would probably sound a bit more versatile.

Pickups wise, I'll probably use Kent Armstrong units. They are reasonably priced and easily available here in the UK.

The rest of the hard ware will be either similar or authentic Ric compenents.

As much as I love the authentic R tail piece...it feels wrong to use it, so i'll use and unbranded harp tail piece instead.

The electrics will be wired like a vintage 4005

Body Wood: Maple with a maple uderside cap

Neck Wood: Maple and Walnut laminates

Fretboard: Bubinga with either 30.5 or 33.25" scale length

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