Tonal Difference Between of 4001v63 and 4001c64

[400darbe]

Hi All Rick Lovers,
im looking into buying a rickenbacker but im not sure what is the tonal difference between of the v63 and the c64.
can someone help me ?

Thanks in advance.

[rickomania1970]

welcome home 400darbe

[ricmic]

Well 400darbe, I have never played C64 which has a 0047mfd capacitor in the bridge pickup "tone" loop. I have played the V63 which does not have the 0047mfd capacitor. I have heard that the C64s are very warm in tone. My V63 on the other hand needs the pickups lowered a bit to take out some of the harshness from the sound. I like the drive of the V63 pickup configuration, but it isn't like the other Ric basses I have owned. I am still growing used to the tone of the V63, but I like it. I really like it. Mark

[coolingitdown]

Conversely, i own a c64 and have never played a v63.

My c64 responds quite a bit to how you play it. If I really dig in, it is a growling, snarling beast! Dial up the mute and take a softer approach, up by the fingerboard, and it'll give you a nice, warm, uprightesque thump.

Mine also has a push/pull pot installed to take the cap out of the circuit (thanks again, Joey!). With the cap disengaged, you get a whole lot more bottom end and a more modern sounding tone.

[s4001]

IIRC, a C64 is snarlier than a V63.

[bluewhale]

I prefer the sound of the C64. For me, the toaster is the source of a lot of the magic, and I think it speaks with more authority on the C64.

I think all C64 necks were very thin, and maybe (?) that affects the sound a little, while the V63 necks seem to have varied quite a bit over time. If you're buying, it's something you might also consider.


Welcome to the forum,
bluewhale

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, Burak!

[400darbe]

Thanks for your warm welcome Rick Lovers,

Your replies tend to make me feel that the c64 would a very good choice for me. also i want to ask one more question about the horseshoe pickup in the bridge position.

many players choose to remove the pickup cover to play right over the bridge pickup, but i have read something about the cover that increases in magnetic field draws extra tone out of the pickup.

if i remove the horseshoe cover on my c64 do i hear a drop in volume or my sound would be going to the negative?

[rickomania1970]

i played v63 and c64s before.i prefer C series.much closer than classic sound with easy playing neck i think but v63 is a perfect bass -like all ricks- too.

[coolingitdown]

Thanks for your warm welcome Rick Lovers,

Your replies tend to make me feel that the c64 would a very good choice for me. also i want to ask one more question about the horseshoe pickup in the bridge position.

many players choose to remove the pickup cover to play right over the bridge pickup, but i have read something about the cover that increases in magnetic field draws extra tone out of the pickup.

if i remove the horseshoe cover on my c64 do i hear a drop in volume or my sound would be going to the negative?

That is true of the original horseshoe pickups

The reissue horseshoe, which the c64 has, does not have magnetic shoes. They could be removed with no change in tone.

[henry5]

My V63 had an issue where I couldn't raise the toaster high enough (I like my pickups high as I play very lightly), soemthing I've heard was a problem on Vs. Does the C Series ever suffer from this?

FWIW I really like Vs, but a C Series I played recently was possibly even nicer.

[turlu]

To be really honest, I have not played my Ric basses much within the last four years, most exclusively played my faithful Lakland Daryl Jones..... I decided to bring the V63 yesterday at my rehearsal.... and wow !!!! I am ashamed I did not bring her out more often !!!! Really, it shined really well within the mix and I could feel that 'growl' tone that only a Ric can give you !!!! That V63 is simply amazing !

[coolingitdown]

Thanks for your warm welcome Rick Lovers,

Your replies tend to make me feel that the c64 would a very good choice for me. also i want to ask one more question about the horseshoe pickup in the bridge position.

many players choose to remove the pickup cover to play right over the bridge pickup, but i have read something about the cover that increases in magnetic field draws extra tone out of the pickup.

if i remove the horseshoe cover on my c64 do i hear a drop in volume or my sound would be going to the negative?

That is true of the original horseshoe pickups

The reissue horseshoe, which the c64 has, does not have magnetic shoes. They could be removed with no change in tone.

It appears i stand corrected:

The modern horseshoes are not magnetized- this is true- but they do act as pole pieces, concentrating the field from the magnets placed internal to the coil. Essentially they complete the magnetic circuit, making it a full wrap-around, 3-D sensing pickup like the vintage originals. Removing them makes them a 2-D sensor with an unfocused field.

They also provide both electromagnetic and electrostatic shielding.

They will continue to work but not as intended. But as said above, you can certainly try it and see if it works for you in your situation.

Source: http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum/viewt ... ec133c0f5f

[Droog61]

Is there really a difference?

I would think they are both the built from the same template?
Did the neck profile change on the c64 in certain years as the v63?

Never played the C64, but I did try out a 1991 v63 in NYC and it was comparable to my 1991 4001cs and was way different then my 1999 v63?
even the horseshoe sounded different between the 1991 v63 and the 1999 v63, but not so much between the 1991 v63 and the 1991 4001cs.

Shouldn't, for example a 1996 v63 sound pretty much the same as a 1996 c64?

or are there certain differences in the same year models? cap wise etc?

cheers

[coolingitdown]

The c64 replaced the v63. I don't they were ever manufactured simultaneously. Had they been, I think the only difference would have been the headstock.

I could be wrong?