Here's a particularly lovely bass to share with you all.

An original 1968 Rickenbacker 4005 in a Fireglo finish.

Introduced in 1965, the 4005 was essentially Rickenbacker's answer to the hollowbody basses popular at the time, borrowing much of its design from the 360 guitar.

Production remained comparatively limited and intermittent, with several lengthy gaps before the model was finally discontinued in the early '80s.

Original '60s examples are particularly scarce.

Despite its relative obscurity, the 4005 is a cult favourite and has found its way into the hands of some fairly notable players, including John Entwistle, Jack Casady, Colin Moulding and, perhaps most famously, Mani of The Stone Roses, whose customised 4005 became something of a fixture of the band's early years.

This example has all the neat early features, including checkerboard back binding, full-width crushed pearl triangle inlays, a bound slash soundhole and a pair of widely spaced toaster pickups.

The Fireglo finish is particularly beautiful on this one.

Tonally, the 4005 is quite a different proposition to the 4001. The semi-hollow maple body and unusually wide pickup spacing give it a wonderfully woody, resonant character, with plenty of low-end thump and a surprisingly articulate top end.

Currently strung with flatwounds, this one is an absolute joy to play.

Another interesting feature is the full 33½-inch scale length, unusually long for a hollowbody bass of the period, when most competitors were using scales around 30 inches. It's much closer to the familiar 33¼-inch scale of the 4001, making for a rather different playing experience to most vintage hollowbody basses.

Some playwear throughout, most notably a handful of dings to the rear of the neck.

The pots date to 1967, consistent with the bass's 1968 manufacture.

Includes the original silver Rickenbacker hardcase with blue lining.

 Serial #HC641.

Made in USA.

Weight: 3.9kg.