Model of the Week Ten: The 4001V63

[1965]

1987 MG & 1998 FG (pretty much unplayed w/ all the case candy).

That '87 has crazy horns

[teeder]

I definitely have a soft spot for the V63. A bad experience with my ex '86 4003S turned me off Ricks for 15 years, but the MG V63 that John A. now owns brought me back from $enderland.

I HATE TI FLATS!

Jeff,

What don't you like about them? I've been considering putting them on my 4001S as a little Macca tribute, but you got me second guessing now.

[woodyng]

excuse me for jumpin' in on this,but.......ti flats are 1. very small,light gauge, and 2. round-core based strings. the string actually has a tendency to "roll" under your fretting finger. this combined with a very low tension feel,means reviewing the way you play,on both hands. it's not impossible by any means,but a lot of folks,myself included,just can't make the adjustment. i am not a heavy handed player,and i use a fairly light gauge rw roundcore string on my 4000 (dr sunbeams 40-100),but just could never warm up to ti flats. i wish ti and pyramid would offer more than 1 gauge bass string,as each company needs to go in the opposite direction-a lighter set of pyramids would be awesome (for ric basses),as would a heavier set of ti's.....

[jps]

.....the string actually has a tendency to "roll" under your fretting finger. this combined with a very low tension feel,means reviewing the way you play,on both hands.

You should try the TI Acousticore strings; those really roll around like classical guitar strings as they are bronze with a nylon core. I use them on my Rick Turner RB4FL.

[woodyng]

hiya jeffrey! yes i did try those on an ABG i used to have. same argument,they sound great,but i just did not like the feel,replaced them with a set of fender 9120's (nylon coated rw's) in a 40/60/80/100 gauge. i understand turner uses them as standard issue on that model---man,that's another bass i would love to try out! life's too short,innit?

[jps]

The Turner I have is my second one, I used to have the 5 string version but the baseball bat neck had to go; the 4 string feels like a Jazz Bass neck, so much nicer. The sound and tonality is unique to this instrument, and I think a big part of it is those TI strings.

[rickaddict]

I definitely have a soft spot for the V63. A bad experience with my ex '86 4003S turned me off Ricks for 15 years, but the MG V63 that John A. now owns brought me back from $enderland.

I HATE TI FLATS!

Jeff,

What don't you like about them? I've been considering putting them on my 4001S as a little Macca tribute, but you got me second guessing now.

Basically...What Woody said! They're too loose and floppy and roll around under my fingers. A lot of people here like them, so YMMV but I just can't get used to them and don't see much point in trying. I'm not a big flat wound fan, but the next set I put on a Rick will be Pyramids. You need a strong neck for Pyramids, so you probably don't wanna try 'em on your '69 (unless it has a really strong neck, of course).

[rickfan60]

String choice is driven mostly by playing style. Players with a light touch tend to like TIs. I have a heavy touch but when I play my '63 I lighten up out of deference to the old girl. TIs work fine on her. My '80 4001 has DR stainless Low Riders 45-105.

[rickfan60]

Here is my '94 JG 4001V63. I did not know there were so many other JGs out there.

[wints]

1987 MG & 1998 FG (pretty much unplayed w/ all the case candy).

That '87 has crazy horns

Kinda similar to my green RM! Bet the neck is great on that one too...

[bottom4]

Here’s my V63. She was born in May 1985 and I’m the original owner – been with me all this time. It’s probably the oldest known to the active forum – I believe there’s one, maybe two older in the registry. All original – note the horseshoe…

[bottom4]

I love my V63 - my fav of all

[johnallg]

Beautiful Andy! Jeez, ya gotta rub the HS in on us?! A question - do you know the winding readings on both pickups? You've got me really curious. My '93 has 14k toaster and RIHS.

I was so inspired reading this thread over, I pulled out my V and had a go at it again for an hour. Very nice, comfortable, and great sounding - pretty aggressive.

[sloop_john_b]

So what's the deal, Andy? Is that a true magnetic horseshoe? I seem to remember discussion about it but I don't recall the answer.

Birth-year bass for me. If it was September I'd have no choice but to throw crazy money at you to get it.

[rickfan60]

Beautiful Andy! Jeez, ya gotta rub the HS in on us?! A question - do you know the winding readings on both pickups? You've got me really curious. My '93 has 14k toaster and RIHS.

I was so inspired reading this thread over, I pulled out my V and had a go at it again for an hour. Very nice, comfortable, and great sounding - pretty aggressive.

Me too! It is in the stand next to me as I type this.