How to build a Rickenbacker style BASS from a kit! (The Fret Wire Utah Slab DIY bass kit)
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- čas přidán 11. 11. 2021
- Since the disappearance of all the Rickenbacker style guitar and bass diy kits, this is the only DIY kit that allows you the option to build a Rickenbacker 4001/4003/4004 style bass for less than $250!
For more information about this kit, or to make a purchase, check out this link:
Use coupon code GUNSNGTRS to save 10% off any kit at The Fret Wire!
Utah slab bass kit: shrsl.com/391kv
Bad Cat Instruments tele kit: amzn.to/30i4Thj
Tru oil finish: amzn.to/3DdSk4K
*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice, please check the links for current pricing.
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate and The Fretwire affiliate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission.
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Background music made by Jordan Rowan of iMakeMusic
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"Rickenbacker is better at winning lawsuits than they are at making guitars."
My dude here just violated the 5th commandment all over an entire company.
Honor your father and mother?
@@GunsandGuitars I thought the 5th was the murdery one. Whoops.
I guess I need to re-read some stone tablets.
@@StinkfaceMcPew bro... That was funny discussion
That's was an excellent Red Dwarf "Space Corps Directives" style exchange :)
The Prime Directive??
At 6:50 the drill’s speed matches the camera’s frame rate and it looks really cool
thanks, SFMcPL
Geddy in the 70's and 80's and Chris Squire....both great Tone👍🏼, my 74 and my 84 4001's sound awesome. This looks like a cool kit
"but Lemmy, but Motorhead..." Lemmy himself stated that he doesn't care about Rick sound, only the looks, and that he switched pickups on his basses... also, his tone is mostly from the way he set his amps
I believe he used thunderbird p-ups in his basses but I could be wrong.
@@TealScarab Yes, it was t-bird pickups, in pretty much every one of his Rics until Rickenbacker came out with their own humbucker pickups specifically for him (and that wasn't even the first time they tried making him pickups, he didn't like the other times they tried). His philosophy was "it doesn't matter the tone, just get a shape that you like cause you can just swap out the pickups". Which Bass did a great episode on the detailed history of Lemmy's equipment if you wanna know more!
I mean there really isn't any kind of science to the way he set his amps either, just dime everything, play hard, play fast and most importantly play rock and roll.
@@zakkmylde1712 exactly!
I've had the page for this kit bookmarked and ready for me to pull the trigger for a while now. I am so glad I saw this. I think I'm FINALLY ready to go ahead and get it!
I was finishing a build yesterday, and all I could hear in my head was the background music to your builds. Cheers Dan!
I haven't watched your videos in a little while, and I'm sad I wasn't checking in! Your stuff always inspires me to get around whatever creativity block i'm stuck in. I always think I don't have the right tools to write or sing or play whatever, until I see you building the absolute coolest stuff with just whatever you brought on the road with you. I know of luthiers who couldn't put half the charm in a guitar with their $40k workshops that you can with an RV and some prayer. Love your videos, and thanks!
Thanks for the kind words! And I’m so happy to hear that I inspire you to get around your creative blocks! That’s what I hope to do here!
Super excited to see and hear the finished product!
That's me and Ricks: Love their look, like their sound a little, dislike everything else. Lemmie's sound is mostly him through his Marshalls.
Also, he put a Gibson Thunderbird bass p'up on his two early Ricks, and to quote, "..it seemed to quite like it"!!
This looks great. Can't wait to see it finished.... also, i'm happy you've found tru oil. works great on old hand guards and stocks too.
Already looks great my brother!
I love ur bass/guitar building vids
Tru oil is GREAT stuff. I just used it for the first time on a guitar pick tray and I was very impressed.
Thanks Dan! I've been waiting to see a build on this before I pulled the trigger!
Glad I could help!
Hand in hand with your guitar-building-tools playlist, this video is gonna have me make one heck of a first guitar pretty soon :)
That's funny, I actually hunted down a spare Rick pickup for my Skateboard Bass because I liked the sound Paul McCartney and Chris Squire had. Love your channel dude.
Can't wait to see this bass finished, and i'm really excited to see how that Bad Cat Tele turns out
That tele kit is super cool. Really funky vibe to it
this was cool. Loveeee the bass builds
Looking good so far.
Finish looks good!! One of these days I'll do a kit body or two for practice before refinishing a T60 and T15.
The bass is looks great and so does that Tele!👍😎🎸🎶
Tru oil is FANTASTIC!!! Been using it on guitars and gun stocks for years now and have loved every finish I've gotten with it! Gr8 build my friend!
I’m trying out a few new finishes, I probably shouldn’t have started with this because it set the bar real high!
@@GunsandGuitars a tip with Tru oil; don’t remove the foil on the top but pierce one tiny hole with a pin. That way you don’t put too much on the wood or spill it (😉). Also, store it upside down.
@@GunsandGuitars , ya can’t go wrong with TruOil!!!! One of the best finishes there is. What most don’t know is that it is not an oil as in tongue oil. It is more similar to varnish. In fact it is a type of varnish. Known for an exceptional playing neck. That’s what goes on my guitars.
Nice build man, I really like the colour too.
Keep safe bro
Always watching ur vids...
Just got jo job in 2months here in phippines
Dan, you do cool projects, man! :)
The Ace of Spades.
Dan my 1st bass build I measured out where the bridge would be. But then got carried away with body molding on the rear. Bridge fits and works. But the saddles are back further than is normal.
Live and learn.
It looks like it's coming out awesome. I'm actually in the middle of making a 24x36 pedal board out of wood and plexiglass.
I've built a couple of those zebra tele kits, they come up very nicely with a Tru-Oil finish on them.
I OWN A 1978 4001 WHITE AND I LOVE IT!
Love the headstock.
Tru oil is an amazing guitar finish and ive been using it for years and the thing I love about it is its easy and simple to use! Either wipe on a load of coats then buff out to a high gloss. Even 2 or 3 coats then knock back for a matt finish. I've even sprayed with it but that took ages to dry! And it gets hard like a real finish but I'm not a bug fan of it on the neck and think tung oil is better feeling. Love a Ricky and crank up the marshall rig to 11!
Tru Oil: Available in fine sporting goods stores everywhere.
Just haven’t mastered the application of binding. I bought the Utah kit and upgraded to a Ric-like bridge and Fender 9120 nylon coated flat wound strings. My kit bass rocks. The only other upgrades I did was to shield with copper tape. The kit’s neck pick up is so super hot.
The bass is looking awesome!
On that zebrawood tele, I think it’d look awesome to switch to direct mounting the pickups, or at least using a clear pickguard. Think showing more of that cool grain would be nice!
I really like it Dan. You've inspired me to try something Rickenbacker ish... (Well, you know).
It looks really good, and I can't wait to set the finished product. And the Tele style from BadCat is really interesting.
Thanks David! I can’t wait to see how your ricky turns out!
Huzzah for the Jazzenbacker! Hahaha ;D
Well made and well played, brother!
Adventure ever on, Phat
Killer, as always !
Hey Dan. Love that tele 🤘. Noice n awesome ❤️
I figured something like that about this kits, i actually knew them because of you! But when I got the money to finally get one they disappeared :(. I'll wait for the next video on this one, I'm curious to see how it turns outs. Kind Regards from Los Cabos, Mexico!
Very cool build, Dan! I’d be nervous taking a grinder to a guitar body. You make these kit builds a look so easy.
It’s a sanding flap disk, it’s pretty easy to control, but it can be too productive if you’re not careful
@@GunsandGuitars Dan, what are your thoughts on building replicas? Everyone does a video about frankenstrats, but there are so many other iconic axes that would be such cool builds. Johnny Ramone’s Mosrite, James Hetfield’s Explorer, etc.
Geez Dan, you're gonna make us wait? Lol. Great video.
the wood grain on the body is much better than I thought it would be.
With the tru oil it's also possible to dilute it with e.g. 1/8th of Naptha (or similar), wipe it on the neck, and then immediately wipe off the excess with a tack free cloth. Gives extra smooth results. No need for steel wool sanding in between coats. Steel wool can be used after the last coat (at least 8 coats, more if a glossy result is desired). Drying time is reduced to 4-6 hours (Naphta evaporates and the coats are very thin due to the "wipe off" technique).
This Bass you are working on is looking pretty good. Yeah too bad you got a kit with lack luster wood but that's the way it is sometimes. You are doing a pretty good job of making it look as good as you have. I like your videos quite a bit. Keep it up. Thanks.
Mrs Guns for the win!
Great episode! I made one out of oak.🤘
Awesome.
The headstock shape is very Peavey-esque. It's funky with the reverse headstock on a Ric, but it somehow works. 😎
wow that bad cat tele kit looks killer
It’s a really cool funky kit
Even Cliff Burton's Ricky bass was heavily modified with a J pickup in the bridge and a mudbucker in the neck and underneath the bridge is a Duncan distortion pickup he called his secret weapon.
I've been waiting for a video like this for a LONG time. But now I don't really want a Ric anymore... Like you said, I don't actually like the tune, just think it looks cool. Well, there are lots of other basses that look cool and are not so much work. Anyway, your video was super inspiring as always, and I might try and make a Ric my style someday.
Btw the zebra tele looks fire 🔥
Awesome
Ironically, I'm doing a project that's pretty much the exact opposite of this. It started with a 2008 Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass that I was working on when I noticed the neck (middle?) pickup pocket looked like it could fit a Rickenbacker Hi-Gain. A bit of sanding later, and I was right. Then I bought a 4003 bridge pickup, and am now waiting to have the bridge pickup pocket routed out so I can install it. Then I'm gonna get a 3 way switch, switch the controls to switch, master volume, master tone, and get a new neck for it that'll have a Ric style 2+2 with the creating wave design and all.
Bro, nice vid. Can't wait to see where this goes. Im thinking of getting my rick kit out soon and seeing what I can come up with :)
About time Chops!
@@GunsandGuitars so glad that stuck
Chops… I’m totally down with that Nickname!!!
@@saulgoodeguitars That has been my nickname since I was a kid lol. But now it's internet official hahahahaha
@@timchapin6482 I've considered the stage name "Dr Shred and the Lamb Chops"
I love your videos, and I'm really glad you're revisiting your riff on the Rickenbacker. You did a similar project back in 2017, and you used your own wiring design which you called "Dan-o-Sound." I was really hoping you'd publish that wiring diagram, but I can't find it anywhere. Is that something you're willing and/or able to share?
Dang he didn't have no filter calling Rickenbacker out I'm dead😂
Hey Dan! Congrats on your new project(s)! I also love the look of an inverted headstock. / That's a good suggestion from your wife. / Not to be anticlimatic, but "Presidio" at 0:02 means "prison" in Brazil lol
Haha I know actually. It also means “fortress” so I think that’s what they were going for.
I would have been delighted to get that straight grain, but we all have different visions.
Hey first I like to thank you 🙏🏼 for ur ch. Always posting good and budget ideas 🤘🏻💡
Just had a question wanted to make to always make a 5 string Rikenbacker bass. Didn’t see a 5 string on fret wire any suggestions?? U think I can use a 4 string kit ?? Thnx in advance👍
Geddy Lee is also well known for playing Rickenbacker basses.
I've been looking at the Bad Cat Zebrawood Les Paul kit for awhile now. Only thing holding me off of it is it's a glue in neck
rather than bolt on and I think that might be above my skill level.
FYI FWIW AF: Lemmy put a Gibson Thunderbird pickup in his Rickenbacker for the classic Hawkwind\ Space Ritual whetevs; and after that did the same Thunderbird pickup replacement whenever he got a Rick. His custom Sigmature Rick now doesn’t use the Rick pickups -I think it’s Seymour Duncan’s that do/approximate the Thunderbird thing= check me on that(?)… lots of thesis level vids and pics of Lemmy’s basses and gear on line and CZcams
The latest pickups in his leaf bass were Rickenbacker hb-1 humbuckers
I got 1 from Amazon one of the Leo Jaymze versions
I really so much am interested in building a Rick style bass for myself but don't have any experiences. Do you guys think I will be able to do this incl. Swapping the bridge for a proper one, the tuning machine heads and getting better pickups?
Also since I will not be able to route pickup mounting holes I would stay with the pickup dimensions. I already have a jazz style bass and do want something more gnarly growly low mid rockish (am into progressive rock) ... Any recommendations for pickups especially for the bridge?
How do you go about scale length and using a different bridge? What would I have to look out for?
Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!
Btw. I can solder and do have the remaining tools used in the video (saw, etc) except for the guitar specific tools.
Well you did a prs guitar style bass, why don't you do Rickenbacker bass style guitar. That would be very sick
That bass looks pretty darn cool, I’m not a fan or the Rick bass look normally.
Digging the colour too
Thanks Corey!
great video and rip lemy kilmster and his past band mates
Far out Dan pretty savage today 😂😂😂
I love the Rickenbacker style and have always wanted one but also don't like the pricetag. My lady loves the anime FLCL and has always wanted the main characters lefty Rick with a pull motor on the back, this definitely seems like a feasible way to pull that off😅
One day I’d love to see a Gibson/Epiphone bass done in the style of a Moderne.
For me Dan, the Rickenbacker bass is one ugly so and so!
I really like what you have done here though, it looks less of a huge heavy viking weapon and more of a stylish playable instrument.
Not sure about the color but hey, it's not my instrument 😜
Really looking forward to seeing it finished and hearing the tones.
Thanks for sharing bro!
PS the zebra T style looks amazing, looking forward to that too.
To be fair, most fenders look like toys....
Swap the bad cat tele neck for a plain maple neck, then use the zebra neck on another project. I like zebra wood, but that’s a lot of it in one place.
That Bad Cat looks proper gnarly.
I hope they can ship to Australia... Do they do basses? Tune in next time to find out
Ship to Australia? Just saw they're based in Aus!! Noice!
Also, really decent prices. And check out the rad acrylic axes! I'm sold, guys!
I would love a follow up video of building a 360-12 string C63 George Harrison model and how to paint it with a FireGlo color!!!
Thanks for the suggestion I’ll look into it!
a yank that says Rickenbacker correctly, great! I wanted one of these but got bored of waiting and grabbed one of those dodgy Harley Benton instead. I actually don't hate it, regardless of how Ricky-sounding it is or isn't
Make it a Cliff Burton Rickenbacker, I suggested it a long time ago! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
What kind of disc are you using on your angle grinder to make the body contours?
A sanding flap disc. 60 grit
How do you determine where to drill the tuning machine holes? Or does it not matter? I'd think you'd want to ensure the string travel is straight to the post. Just curious what your method is, if it's anything besides "eyeballing it."
For an in-line headstock, yes the strings should align as straight as possible from nut to post. My method is basically eyeballing it with a straight edge, and measuring to make sure they are all evenly spaced apart.
Rick’s are the bass that all your musician friends that aren’t bass players tell you you should be playing.
😂😂😂
can you make me a 115 bass cab with across the bottom port hole and hole for a horn?A how much would you charge me?
I had a Mod Bass a few years ago. Eventually got ahold of a MIJ 4001 copy and got rid of the kit
I actually built one of these a couple months ago as my first attempt ever, I'll link some pictures if you're interested!
I would love to see some! Send them to me on Facebook or patreon
I’ve wanted a 5-string, RB-style for a while. Wondering if they sell a 5-string neck for glue-in joint. This kit would be perfect to make that happen.
I’ve seen people do 5 string conversions on these kits. Still using the 4 string neck, but a 5 string bridge with narrow string spacing
Oh nice another 4 string guitar build
My 1st bass I bought was a '73 Ric 4001. As cool as they look, I hated it. Sold it. Only regret was how cheap I Sold it.
How to make Tru Oil but better and cheaper. 10% linseed oil ( artist grade for less yellow )30% deep vry vegetable oil with silicone anti foaming ingredient ( just squeeze out a Mc Ds burger !) Like 'Crisp n Dry' in the UK , and 60% Naptha otherwise known as lighter fuel . Drying time and penetrative much quicker and better an the silicone improves the toughness . With clearer oils you can apply more coats in less time . This is my sanded neck oil finish , my fretboard oil contains a blend of walnut , lavender ( Spike Oil ) and citrus oil , all available at your local art shop , plus of course 40% naphtha. This in my fretboard cleaner and rejuvenator which also smells great and the lavender oil odour is very soothing . I use equal quantities in this blend but play around until you find a blend that suits you . Also available is poppy seed oil as some may find citrus oil overpowering , just reduce the amount of citrus with poppy seed oil . Needless to say having bought a small container of each for less than the cost of Tru Oil ,you have a lifetimes supply .
Lemmy's tone came from retopped Bartoloni pick ups. Let's just say I've been inside his old blue Ric bass.
oh, a Rickenjazzper! :D
I like it! I was calling it the jazzenbacker, but your new name wins!
@@GunsandGuitars hahahahhaha you re welcome to use it and glad to be of service :D
Dan, I noted that you are following a neck refinement process that has changed since you put out some videos several years ago. Perhaps it is time to get us upto speed on how you do that now as opposed to several years ago. As always, thanks for your good videos.
This is still me process: czcams.com/video/OpeCq_1AvwU/video.html
I’ve made only subtle changes that streamline it a bit but this is still bones of the process, but maybe I will make an updated video!
I saw that zebra wood strat on Amazon. Wish they make it in some bass configuration
Agreed! We need some zebra basses
Pitbull had some zebra basses, I have a jazz bass with zebra wood, I just put a double j pickup in it
Welp, 3 months later, Fretwire no longer has these kits, looks like I was right
Personally, if I was going to do this kind of project I think I would prefer to just buy the neck and maybe a set of templates (so I could just build the whole body myself) rather than possibly end up with a blank that doesn't look good enough (and featuring holes / routes in the wrong place) or have the ability to chose a body blank separate from the neck. In terms of configuration, I would probably try to do something similar to Cliff Burton's Rickenbacker as that was in no way standard. That or just use mini-humbuckers because I hate electrical interference and I don't have a bass with mini-humbuckers.
If I had gotten a blank with good wood grain I would feel much better about this kit, but as it stands, I’m there with you, I could make a better looking body out of 2x4’s and buy a neck separate
I built a custom 4004LK Rickenbastard. The real ones are insanely rare and $$$. I used the Rickenbacker 4001 pickups and electronics. Sorry, But the facts are Lemmy's tone was the bass plus the Marshall dimed. I can get that tone very easily. Sorry, it's not Lemmmy's hands. Also, if it's not neck thru, then its not a Ric.
Let’s also remember, if it’s not made by Rickenbacker, it’s not a Ric 😂
@@GunsandGuitars Haha. True!
It disappeared due to your videos showing these build kits, next these kits will be gone
Most of Lemmy’s basses were so heavily modified, that they didn’t even sound like rickenbackers anymore. Same thing with Cliff Burton’s rick.
True, but Chris squire and Macca both had the stock pickups in theirs.
Went to buy the kit but they’ve stopped InternationalI delivery 💔
Next time you open a new bottle of Tru oil do not peel the foil tab off completely just poke a hole.
Good tip!
Paul McCartney bass tone though
Indeed, and his had flats on it!
nice
Lemmy's main Rickenbacker didn't even have the original pickups lmao. He put in Gibson Thunderbird pickups
Needs some yellow in that stain. That would make my eyes happy
Oh hey, you did get some yellow on there