I see that Graham has the same philosophy that I do, when you see something that really turns you on you must have three of them, one isn't going to cut it. When I discovered that I really love early 73 4001's....yup, had to have three. Now that I've found out how nice the 4004's are converted to five strings...working on a trinity but it will be in progress for a while.
73 Feb 4001, 73 March 4001, 73 April 4001, 73 May 4001, 73 June 4001, 73 July 4001 04 MM Bongo 5HSp, 07 MM Bongo 5HS, 09 MM Bongo 5HS, 09 MM Bongo 5Hp, 11 MM Bongo 5H
It seems like it would be pretty easy to replicate one of those basses using a 4001V63. It's really just a matter of acrylic fabrication and deletion of one pickup....along with a savings of around $8000.00.
The body shape is different different from a V63. The upper horn is about an inch shorter and the rest is much less refined. Also, headstock is larger. It would be easier to start from scratch as John Fay did with his.
Oh I can see the physical differences in the old 4000's. I think the upper horn is a little funky looking anyway. That part I would not want to replicate, but you know me Ted, I take what I like and work from there...kinda like my 4008 with the potato headstock. I know it's not the same but I think it looks better than the original.