4001 v63 Timeline

bear · Post by **bear** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 2:40 am

Thought it might be fun to try and assemble the pertinent information from introduction to final run of the v63 series under one thread. Since they are starting to show up in the "For Sale" category more often these days it would also be helpful for possible buyer reference.
Horse Shoe changes, thin neck years, neck profile changes, special year colors and numbers. All of the fun, would like to know, info that someone may even compile and have Peter add to the Website.

turlu · Post by **turlu** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 4:23 am

I had the chance to own and play a 1988 and a 1999 version of the V63 Bass.

The model year 1988 Bass had a great feel, with an awesome neck, which was slim and perfect. The Tone was more "mellowish" in my opinion. The design and finition of the Bass were absolutely top notch.

The model year 1999 had a totally different neck shape, comparing more to a 4003, the nut was different with harder plastic, the headstock was shorter, the pickguard was not made of the same plastic material. But, the Tone was more aggressive and punchy. The overall design and finition of the Bass was less perfect than the model year 1988. But, both Basses were excellent.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:20 am

This information would be extremely interesting since I'm in the process of acquiring a 1998 4001V63MG. I believe it was Andy O'Connor who recommended trying to locate a mid- to late '80s model if at all possible. He specifically mentioned the superior feel of the neck compared to the later models, as Jean Lancon indicated in his post. The problem is that I've never seen an earlier model up for sale *anywhere*. Owners of those seem unwilling to part with them.

In my case, it's not going to matter. I'm already used to the neck of my 1992 4003 and the 4001V63 is probably going to be similar. Tone is more of a concern here and going by Jean's post, the newer model seems more suited to my tastes.

My preference was for a Jetglo but they appear to be pretty scarce right now. I had thought about contacting Kenny Howes to see if he has access to production totals of the various finishes; the numbers would be informative. Anyway, Steve Berndt has come with up an excellent idea and I'm looking forward to contributions by 4001V63 owners and others in the know.

bear · Post by **bear** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 11:25 am

Thanks for the nod of support Jeff.
While waiting for the 4001c64s models to start shipping I have been wondering about the early first years of the v63 models since my current v63, November 97 in FG, has to me what I consider one of the baseball bat necks, much rounder, Hofner like, and thicker than any of my previous Ric basses. The tone of the PUPS is marvelous with the Horseshoe having more "grunt" and "cut" than any other post '90 v63 I have tried.
I have also heard that there are "longhead" and "shorthead" versions as well. Mine would be a "shorthead" version.
Looks like it is time then to compile the stats list/check list of features for comparison.
I would be willing to make an Excel spreadsheet version of specs features likes and dislikes by Member name that I could post on a personal Website until finished.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 11:50 am

Good idea, Steve.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 3:22 pm

Bear, IMHO the thicker neck on your '97 is at least partly responsible for the bass having more grunt and cut.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 3:29 pm

Yes I agree with Dave.
IMHO, it's all in the wood...

dano · Post by **dano** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 5:26 pm

My '98 V63JG has a thin neck, just like my '79 4001.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 6:13 pm

Hey Dan!-- Wanna find a new home for that raggedy ol' V63JG? You know you're embarrassed havin' that thing just lyin' around and taking up closet space. I'll pay you a very fair price for it and promise not to tell anyone who I bought it from.

~LOL~

dano · Post by **dano** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 12:40 am

LOL @ Jeffery, I think the shock of being taken out of the closet would probably be the end of the old girl. Just kidding, all my RICs get about the same amount of use. How rare is the JG finish on a V63? I know the C64 is only supposed to be available in FG and MG but once in a while a JG (or another finish) will be produced. Did the same apply to the V63?

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 1:37 am

Sure does, Dan.
You've got yourself a rare V63, finish wise.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 2:07 am

Hey Dan...

Once in a while is right now:

http://www.pickofthericks.com/4000_Series_split1.htm

dano · Post by **dano** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 2:20 am

Exactly, Mike Parks had one a while back (C64JG). I have only seen two other V63JG's but I'm certain there are more out there.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 10:09 am

Dan-- I don't think Jetglo versions of the 4001V63 are *super* rare, but I tend to think they are the fewest in number of the "Big 3" standard Ric finishes, the majority in Mapleglo. A few Jetglo models were recently available about the time I became seriously interested in acquiring one. However, one came up on eBay which was quickly snapped up by Melissa Breitsprecher's husband just a few minutes after it was listed. The seller mistakenly described it as a 4003 and apparently didn't realize what he had. Chris Clayton had a Jetglo still listed on his website when I e-mailed an inquiry. Turned out he had sold it a few days prior but just hadn't had time to update his website. I called Chris at his new store about a week ago to ask if he thought he might run into another Jetglo model fairly soon. His response was that he had no way of knowing but that he had seen extremely few Jetglo 4001V63s during his time as a Ric seller.

The 4001V63 will become more collectible with time. Part of the reason, of course, is that it's been discontinued. But the other reason is the high MSRP of the recently introduced 4001C64 series. My guess is that this will only serve to drive up the selling price of the 4001V63. And an uncommon finish will command an even higher premium. For example, Tim Sarter just sold his 1998 Sea Green bass for $2,200 to a friend of his in Canada, and it sold pretty quickly. I wasn't sure Tim would be able to get that much for it, even with it being in the rare Sea Green finish. But obviously there was a ready buyer for it. I doubt that a Jetglo will ever go for that much, but very likely it could (all other things being equal) sell for more than a Mapleglo.

I'm still hoping Kenny Howes can post the official production numbers of the 4001V63 as far as how many were produced in the various finishes.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 12:58 pm

Here's the differences I noticed about V63s, and I have two to compare, A fireglo model from 1997, and an early '93 model. The '93 has a slimmer, longer headstock, and slimmer neck, so it seems to me. But looking at v63s on E*Bay and such, I can tell by looking at a pic if they were an '80s or early '90s, because of the slimmer headstock.... Same thing with the 4001CS series...