1966 Rickenbacker 4005 Fireglo Vintage Bass

The 1966 Rickenbacker 4005 Fireglo is a distinctive vintage hollow-body electric bass with a specification unlike almost any other bass from the mid-1960s. Combining Rickenbacker's instantly recognisable styling with a full-scale hollow-body construction, it offers a unique alternative to the solid-body basses that have dominated the market for generations.

Finished in Rickenbacker's iconic Fireglo burst, this 1966 4005 features a maple body with an offset double-cutaway design, bound top and back, distinctive cat's-eye soundhole and white slash-style pickguard. Its maple/walnut/maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and triangular pearl inlays continue the period-correct visual language, while the pair of Rickenbacker "toaster" single-coil pickups provide the bright, articulate and full-bodied character associated with the brand.

At A Glance

Key Detail Information
Brand	Rickenbacker
Model	4005
Year	1966
Finish	Fireglo
Product Type	Vintage Hollow-Body Electric Bass
Body Construction	Hollow Body
Body Material	Maple
Body Shape	Offset Double Cutaway
Soundhole	Cat's-Eye
Neck Construction	Maple / Walnut / Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	33.5"
Fingerboard Inlays	Triangular Pearl
Neck Binding	Bound
Pickups	2 x Rickenbacker "Toaster" Single-Coils
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone, Blend
Switching	3-Way Selector
Tailpiece	Rickenbacker "R"
Tuners	Chrome-Plated
Pickguard	White Slash-Style
Hardware	Chrome
Main Appeal	Rare vintage hollow-body Rickenbacker bass with Fireglo finish
Best For	Rock, pop, studio recording, vintage bass enthusiasts and collectors

What Makes The 1966 Rickenbacker 4005 Special?

The Rickenbacker 4005 is a particularly distinctive instrument within the company's bass history. While Rickenbacker is perhaps best known for its solid-body 4001 and 4003 basses, the 4005 takes a different approach, combining the company's recognisable design language with a hollow-body construction.

This gives the instrument a visual and tonal identity of its own. The offset double-cutaway body, cat's-eye soundhole, Fireglo finish and slash-style pickguard create a striking vintage appearance, while the dual "toaster" pickups provide the distinctive Rickenbacker voice.

A genuine 1966 Rickenbacker 4005 is therefore much more than an alternative to a conventional bass guitar. It represents a particularly unusual chapter in Rickenbacker's instrument history.

Key Features & Benefits

Hollow Maple Body

The 4005 features a hollow maple body with an offset double-cutaway design.

The hollow construction contributes to the bass's distinctive acoustic response and differentiates it fundamentally from the solid-body Rickenbacker basses more commonly associated with the brand.

Fireglo Finish

The iconic Fireglo finish transitions from a rich red around the outer areas of the body towards a warmer amber centre, highlighting the curves of the instrument.

Fireglo is one of Rickenbacker's most recognisable finishes and works particularly well with the 4005's unusual body shape.

Cat's-Eye Soundhole

The cat's-eye soundhole is one of the defining visual features of the 4005.

Combined with the bound body and distinctive pickguard, it immediately identifies the instrument as one of Rickenbacker's more unusual vintage designs.

Maple / Walnut / Maple Neck

The neck uses a maple/walnut/maple construction, providing a strong and visually distinctive foundation for the instrument.

The 33.5" scale length gives the 4005 a substantial full-scale bass playing feel.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard features triangular pearl inlays and a bound neck, combining practical playability with the detailed visual appointments expected from a premium instrument of this period.

Rickenbacker "Toaster" Pickups

A pair of Rickenbacker's distinctive "toaster" single-coil pickups provides the core of the 4005's amplified voice.

These pickups are closely associated with Rickenbacker's classic sound, offering a bright and articulate character while retaining enough fullness for bass applications.

The two-pickup arrangement also provides useful tonal flexibility, allowing the player to move between different pickup combinations and settings.

Traditional Rickenbacker Controls

The controls include individual volume and tone controls, a blend control and a three-way selector switch.

This provides considerably more tonal flexibility than the appearance of the instrument might initially suggest, allowing the two pickups to be balanced and selected according to the requirements of the performance.

Rickenbacker "R" Tailpiece

The iconic R tailpiece is another unmistakable Rickenbacker detail.

Its distinctive design complements the rest of the instrument's period styling while providing the string termination expected from a traditional Rickenbacker bass.

Chrome Hardware & Tuners

The chrome-plated hardware and tuners provide a bright contrast against the Fireglo finish and reinforce the unmistakable mid-1960s Rickenbacker aesthetic.

Tone & Playing Experience

The 4005's hollow-body maple construction and twin "toaster" single-coil pickups give it a very different personality from the solid-body basses for which Rickenbacker is more widely known.

The instrument is capable of producing a clear, bright and articulate bass response, while its hollow construction contributes to the distinctive resonance that separates it from more conventional solid-body designs.

The two-pickup configuration and blend control allow the player to shape the balance between the neck and bridge pickups, making the 4005 useful for both supportive bass lines and more prominent melodic parts.

For players who want something sonically and visually different from a conventional modern bass, the 4005 offers a genuinely individual alternative.

Suitable Genres & Applications

The 1966 Rickenbacker 4005 is particularly well suited to:

• Rock

• Classic rock

• Pop

• Beat music

• Indie

• Alternative

• Psychedelic rock

• Vintage-inspired music

• Studio recording

• Live performance

• Bass-led arrangements

• Vintage amplifier rigs

Its distinctive appearance also makes it particularly appealing for stage and studio work where the instrument itself forms part of the visual presentation.

Who Is It For?

Vintage Rickenbacker enthusiasts – A genuine mid-1960s example of one of the company's most unusual bass designs.

Collectors of vintage bass guitars – The 4005's hollow-body construction makes it fundamentally different from the more familiar Rickenbacker 4001 and 4003 family.

Rock and pop players – The bright character of the "toaster" pickups provides a strong platform for classic amplified bass sounds.

Studio musicians – Its unusual tonal response can provide an alternative bass voice when a conventional solid-body instrument isn't quite right.

Players seeking something genuinely distinctive – The Fireglo finish, cat's-eye soundhole and hollow construction make the 4005 difficult to confuse with another bass.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

1966 Rickenbacker 4005 vs Rickenbacker 4001

The 4001 is a solid-body bass and is one of Rickenbacker's most recognisable instruments. The 4005, by contrast, uses a hollow-body construction and has a substantially different visual identity.

Players looking for the classic solid-body Rickenbacker bass format may prefer a 4001, while the 4005 is the more unusual choice for those specifically interested in hollow-body construction and vintage Rickenbacker history.

1966 Rickenbacker 4005 vs Rickenbacker 4003

The modern 4003 continues the classic Rickenbacker solid-body bass formula, whereas the 1966 4005 represents a much less conventional hollow-body approach.

The 4003 is therefore the more practical choice for someone wanting the familiar modern Rickenbacker bass experience, while the 4005 is particularly attractive to players and collectors seeking something historically distinctive.

Rickenbacker 4005 vs Gibson Hollow-Body Basses

Although both approaches use hollow-body construction, the 4005's maple body, Rickenbacker "toaster" pickups and distinctive offset styling give it a very different character from Gibson's more traditional hollow and semi-hollow bass designs.

The Rickenbacker is the natural choice for players wanting its brighter, more articulate tonal character and unmistakable 1960s styling.

Story & Context

The 1960s were a significant period for Rickenbacker, with the company developing a range of instruments that became closely associated with the sound and visual identity of the era.

The 4005 took the company's established design language and applied it to a hollow-body bass format. Its combination of an offset body, cat's-eye soundhole, Fireglo finish and distinctive hardware makes it one of the more unusual instruments in Rickenbacker's vintage catalogue.

The 1966 example represents this design in the mid-1960s, combining period construction and appointments with the unmistakable visual language that continues to define Rickenbacker instruments today.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Vintage Hollow-Body Electric Bass
Brand	Rickenbacker
Model	4005
Year	1966
Finish	Fireglo
Body Construction	Hollow Body
Body Material	Maple
Body Shape	Offset Double Cutaway
Top & Back	Bound
Soundhole	Cat's-Eye
Neck Material	Maple / Walnut / Maple
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Binding	Bound
Fingerboard Inlays	Triangular Pearl
Scale Length	33.5"
Pickup Configuration	2 x Single-Coil
Neck Pickup	Rickenbacker "Toaster"
Bridge Pickup	Rickenbacker "Toaster"
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone, Blend
Switching	3-Way Selector
Bridge / Tailpiece	Rickenbacker "R" Tailpiece
Tuners	Chrome-Plated
Pickguard	White Slash-Style
Hardware	Chrome
Headstock	Cresting Wave
Headstock Finish	Fireglo

Vintage Specification Note

The specifications above describe the instrument based on the information supplied for this individual 1966 Rickenbacker 4005.

With vintage instruments, individual components may have been changed or serviced during their lifetime. Claims regarding complete factory originality, replacement parts, refinishing or previous repairs should therefore only be made where they have been specifically inspected and verified.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The traditional Rickenbacker "toaster" pickups are passive and connect to a bass amplifier, effects system, modeller or recording interface using a standard instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 1966 Rickenbacker 4005 Fireglo is a genuinely distinctive vintage bass and an exceptional choice for anyone looking beyond the familiar solid-body designs of the period.

Its hollow maple body, maple/walnut/maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and twin Rickenbacker "toaster" pickups create a specification with both strong historical interest and a distinctive playing character. Add the Fireglo finish, cat's-eye soundhole, slash-style pickguard and iconic R tailpiece, and this is an instrument with an unmistakable visual identity.

For vintage Rickenbacker enthusiasts, collectors and players looking for a bass with a sound and appearance that stands apart, the 1966 4005 is a particularly compelling instrument.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Vintage basses are individual instruments, and their condition, functionality and component history can be just as important as their original specification.

Every pre-owned instrument at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed before sale, helping customers make informed purchasing decisions and understand the instrument they are buying.

For vintage instruments in particular, our aim is to provide clear and honest information rather than make assumptions about originality or historical details that cannot be verified.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family-run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new, pre-owned and vintage musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Expert musician-led advice

• Experience with Rickenbacker instruments

• Experience with vintage and pre-owned equipment

• Clear product information

• Secure ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing gear could help towards the cost of this vintage Rickenbacker.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges basses, guitars, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current gear could be worth towards this 1966 Rickenbacker 4005 Fireglo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is this Rickenbacker 4005?

This is a 1966 Rickenbacker 4005, making it a genuine mid-1960s vintage bass.

Is the Rickenbacker 4005 a hollow-body bass?

Yes. The 4005 uses a hollow-body construction, making it fundamentally different from Rickenbacker's more familiar solid-body 4001 and 4003 basses.

What is the body made from?

The body is constructed from maple.

What finish does this 4005 have?

This example has Rickenbacker's iconic Fireglo finish, featuring a red-to-amber burst.

What pickups does the 1966 4005 have?

It features a pair of Rickenbacker "toaster" single-coil pickups.

What is the scale length?

The bass has a 33.5" scale length.

What neck does the 4005 have?

The neck uses a maple/walnut/maple construction.

What fingerboard does it have?

The fingerboard is made from rosewood and features triangular pearl inlays.

What controls does the Rickenbacker 4005 have?

The control layout includes two volume controls, two tone controls, a blend control and a three-way selector switch.

What tailpiece does it use?

It features Rickenbacker's distinctive "R" tailpiece.

What makes the 4005 different from a 4001 or 4003?

The most obvious difference is the hollow-body construction. The 4001 and 4003 are solid-body basses, while the 4005 combines Rickenbacker's design language with a hollow-body format.

What is the Rickenbacker 4005 best suited to?

It is particularly suited to rock, pop, vintage-inspired music, studio recording and players looking for an unusual bass voice.

Does the Rickenbacker 4005 require a battery?

No. Its traditional "toaster" pickups are passive and do not require a battery.

Is the 4005 suitable for studio recording?

Yes. Its distinctive hollow-body construction and "toaster" pickups provide a bass sound that can add a notably different character to recordings.

Is the 4005 suitable for live performance?

Yes. Its full-scale neck and traditional passive pickup configuration make it suitable for live bass performance when paired with an appropriate bass amplification system.

Can I part-exchange another bass against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges basses, guitars, amplifiers, effects and other musical equipment. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.