4001C64 1 or 2 piece neck/ historical accuracy

[krismiller]

I recently bought a minty 4001C64 (2005) It hasn't shipped yet, but I've seen photos of it & it looks as though the neck is made from one solid piece of wood. I also came across another mint 4001C64 made earlier this year on Ebay, but the neck looks as though it was made from 2 pieces of wood. As you all probably figured, yes I'm a Beatles nut. And owning a historically accurate 4001 closest to Macca's Rickenbacker's specs is paramount.

Does anybody know if Paul's bass had a one piece neck? Also, does anybody know the history (changes made throughout the years) of the 4001C64 reissues?

Going from a 1 piece neck to a 2 piece neck for standard factory production is a pretty big change IMO. Now I'm all worried I have a less than accurate reissue... Any rate, hope somebody can help me out. Thanks in advance.

[sloop_john_b]

Paul's bass would have had a one piece neck.

[krismiller]

Paul's bass would have had a one piece neck.

Do you have any idea why Rickenbacker would switch the reissues to 2 piece necks? Dropping 3K on an instrument that's not up to original spec would really burn me....

PS/ Thanks for the quick reply.

[sloop_john_b]

Do you have any idea why Rickenbacker would switch the reissues to 2 piece necks? Dropping 3K on an instrument that's not up to original spec would really burn me....

They did this across the board on all their basses, and the c64 would have been included in that in order to streamline the entire process. It is really a very small change that makes the neck stronger without sacrificing much.

You do realize that your horseshoe and truss rod adjustment system are "not up to original spec" either, right?

[krismiller]

No, I didt know that... Whats the difference?

[sloop_john_b]

No, I didt know that... Whats the difference?

The original horseshoe pickup of 1931 (and the same one used on Rickenbacker basses up until 1968) required the metal horseshoe surround to create sound. The one on your reissue bass is 99.9% there for looks - it does provide some shielding, but you can take the horseshoes off and still get the same tone, or very, very close (I don't hear the difference personally). Some of our resident pickup gurus here can explain this better.

The truss rod system used today on Rickenbackers - your reissue bass included - was a design that saw use from about 1986 to the present. The means of adjusting them are different - and much easier - then on the original 4001 basses. Again, one of our technical guys can explain this in further detail for you.

If you want one just like the original in every way, then you need to BUY an original. Step one: FIND ONE. Step two: CONVINCE THE OWNER TO PART WITH IT. Step three: PONY UP BIGTIME.

Since I do NOT have the money for one of the originals, I am very happy with my reproduction, as are many other 4001v63 and 4001c64 owners. In fact, I vastly prefer my modern pickup over the finicky old horseshoe and my modern truss rod adjustment system over the old system.

[krismiller]

Thanks again.. Really the biggest thing to me is the tone. If it can sound like the vintage ones I'm good.

[tmossman]

No matter how you parse the mechanical details (accurate or inaccurate) there is nothing "historical" about the headstock. The basses are great, with some excellent modern improvements. Play it, love it.

[sloop_john_b]

Thanks again.. Really the biggest thing to me is the tone. If it can sound like the vintage ones I'm good.

It certainly can - and does!

[Ric N. Backer]

I love the 4001 C64 It's my very favorite bass. It doesn't really matter to me if it's an exact copy or rendering. It's great on its own merits. Plus, I'm not sure it's possible to fully capture the past.

I was looking in the archives and found a thread that discusses the body shape and some other things regarding how accurate the C64 is to the original. It was an interesting read. It had pictures of a 1964 original and a picture of the C64. It also had one body shape superimposed on the other. Wish I could direct you to it, but can't. I think it was a 2009 post if I remember correctly.

It was a little controversial so it got locked.

Perhaps one of the old-timers could direct you to it.

[RobRick]

I love my 4001C64. I am not concerened that it be EXACTLY the same as McCartney's. Guess what? I'm not exactly the same as McCartney!

Vintage basses have their "mojo" but can have problems as well. 60s 4001 Rick basses are known to have neck issues, especially when most players turned to using roundwound strings and those basses were not built for the stresses such strings can produce.

My C64 has the two pice neck and I am guite pleased with it. And has already been pointed out, ALL reissues have some modern adjustments that will automoatically make your bass "not exactly like Paul's."

I mainly love the tone, looks, and feel of the bass. I have a soft spot for Ricks that have unbound bodies and dot martkers, so the fastest and easiest way to get that was the C64.

[Ric N. Backer]

I recently bought a minty 4001C64 (2005) It hasn't shipped yet, but I've seen photos of it & it looks as though the neck is made from one solid piece of wood. I also came across another mint 4001C64 made earlier this year on Ebay, but the neck looks as though it was made from 2 pieces of wood. As you all probably figured, yes I'm a Beatles nut. And owning a historically accurate 4001 closest to Macca's Rickenbacker's specs is paramount.

Does anybody know if Paul's bass had a one piece neck? Also, does anybody know the history (changes made throughout the years) of the 4001C64 reissues?

Going from a 1 piece neck to a 2 piece neck for standard factory production is a pretty big change IMO. Now I'm all worried I have a less than accurate reissue... Any rate, hope somebody can help me out. Thanks in advance.

Here's that tread I was talking about...

An interesting read.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=386341

[weemac]

If I ever got another "RM" reissue style bass I would prefer to have a two piece neck model. That one thing will not change the tone a lot but it would add so much strength to the neck and perhaps get rid of a few dead spots...
An RM1999 is what it is as the V63, C64, and 1999 basses their own thing..

Eden.

[Ric N. Backer]

If I ever got another "RM" reissue style bass I would prefer to have a two piece neck model. That one thing will not change the tone a lot but it would add so much strength to the neck and perhaps get rid of a few dead spots...
An RM1999 is what it is as the V63, C64, and 1999 basses their own thing..

Eden.

How does a two-piece laminated neck help reduce or eliminate dead spots?

[deaconblues]

Does a two-piece neck significantly strengthen the neck? Were there problems with neck strength before this? I had thought it was just a cost-cutting measure.