C64S versus standard 4001 & stock 4003

[Lycanthrope]

Hi folks, my first post

Back in the mid 80's I had a black '77 4001. Can you believe that I swapped it in '89 for a Hohner Steinberger copy? Basically I needed a guitar I could carry on my back on my motorcycle - which I did, but it essentially meant I sold it for around £180. Of course, Ric's were neither fashionable nor in demand then, but time and hindsight can be unpleasant acquaintances as we now see such basses selling for ten times that amount... Hey ho!

Now I've got it in my mind to return to Ric, I'm currently playing a MM Bongo, which is a damn fine bass, but doesn't satisfy me. I'm a big Prog fan, Squire and Lee being high in my list, plus I like to play Rush a lot.

So, to the meat of it... I can get myself a brand-new 4001 C64SMG for €2500 - this is a very good price in Europe as I've seem them listed as high as €4500. I'm not at all a fan of Paul M, but I'm figuring this is going to be a pretty sweet bass regardless (would love a Squire model, but no chance if hat I guess).

I'm just wondering on two points: firstly, how would this 64 compare to my '77 in terms of sound and p,any ability? I've quite small hands, so a thin neck and low action are critical (MM's neck is pretty fat). The guitar is an internet purchase, so i cant try it first. Secondly, I'm wondering about future resale values. What if I don't like it or find a Squire model for sale, am I likely to lose a lot of money on it?

Other option would be to buy a standard 4003 - how would this compare to the '77 and the 64?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom folks!

[coolingitdown]

As the owner of both a 4003 and a 4001c64 (both 2010 manufacture dates), I will say that if you must choose between the two, save yourself some coin and get a 4003. The vintage tone selector will get you some great Prog growl, and if you decide the hi-gain pickups aren't quite nailing the tone, you can swap them out for horseshoe and toaster pickups (and switching back is always an option if you don't like it or want something different).

Re: neck. Both of my basses have incredibly playable necks. I'd say the c64 is marginally thinner, but that could just be due to how they were being shaped that day.

I love both of those models, but if I had to choose, I'd probably keep my 4003.

[Lycanthrope]

Thanks coolingitdown - you've put sufficient doubt into my mind now that I'll go and seek the models in a shop to compare.

Cheers

[coolingitdown]

Thanks coolingitdown - you've put sufficient doubt into my mind now that I'll go and seek the models in a shop to compare.

Cheers

And that's always the best thing to do if possible. Only last weekend did I finally see a brand new Rick bass in a brick and mortar shop (Haight Ashbury Music in San Francisco has two). I bought my 4003 sight unseen. My C64 was sampled by a very kind forum member who lives near the shop i bought it from and offered feedback.

[Lycanthrope]

Me again

Hmmmm, I didn't get the chance to visit any stores, but I do have a brand-new 4001C64S on offer to me for €2200 (and I will haggle a bit lower yet). This is a pretty good price and I guess I'm not likely to lose money on that should I decide to sell in the future...

4003 is €1600 - I think for the extra €600 the C64S is a good deal.

Decisions, decisions...

[cassius987]

4003 is €1600 - I think for the extra €600 the C64S is a good deal.

Well, from my perspective not really, but it's all about how you value the different features and your plans for the instrument. I think the 4003 is pretty hard to beat. The C Series is just as good but not better in any way, more like different. Coming from a person who sees himself nearly 100% on the player side of the player-collector spectrum, and having played a half-dozen or so C Series 4001s, I can't find a good reason (for myself) to buy a C Series over a 4003. But for others it is very obviously worth it--I had the pleasure of helping coolingitdown acquire his C64 by playing it in the store it originated from and reporting back. If I recall there were a couple and it was the one I thought was the better player. I wish I could help you like that but you're not in the US, so anything for sale here is off limits to you without an intermediate buyer.

[woodyng]

It depends on how you feel about neck and body binding and hotter pickups....i would prefer the c series,a v63,or even a 4003s that i could swap out pickups myself,but i am in the minority on that opinion. The one c64 i got to play was a very very nice instrument,even though i personally do not care for the look of the reversed headstock,it felt great and sounded really fantastic amped.

[Lycanthrope]

Well I want as thin a neck as possible - on the Musicman Bongo I have now, the neck is too fat, I've only little fingers...

And I also don't like the upside-down headstock, but otherwise I think it's beautiful. The matt finish, the dot markers, I assume the fretboard is oiled and not varnished.

Regarding tone, well it's the closest I can get to Chris Squire I think.

[cassius987]

Well it sounds like you already know what you want--a C Series. So I would go for that.

[8mileshigher]

Jonathan -- as your basses were the same year of manufacture, what is the difference in "feel" and playability of the the 4003 two-piece neck vrs. the C64 one piece neck ?

Is this a matter of wood-strengthening engineering design and visual aesthetics or can you feel a difference ? Or different sustain ?

[cassius987]

Can't remember for sure but I think his C64 is a two-piece as well. If I may though, my 2010 4003 with two-piece neck is noticeably more temperature/humidity resistant (I just used it in the studio after a full day in a hot car--I know, I know... Ric abuse --and its setup had not changed a bit) and sustains longer, having no audible "dead spots" that can be heard on some Rics to lesser or greater extents, including a couple of mine if I really listen close.

[coolingitdown]

Well it sounds like you already know what you want--a C Series. So I would go for that.

Agreed. It sounds like the C64 is what you're after!

Jonathan -- as your basses were the same year of manufacture, what is the difference in "feel" and playability of the the 4003 two-piece neck vrs. the C64 one piece neck ?

Is this a matter of wood-strengthening engineering design and visual aesthetics or can you feel a difference ? Or different sustain ?

As Cassius987 said, both basses have the 2-piece neck. The C64's neck has a shallower profile than the 4003's. While I actually prefer the neck on the C64, that preference is marginal at best. The 4003 has a very playable neck on it, and with its tonal versatility, it's a hard bass to beat.

One other thing that makes the C64 valuable to me is its ability to nail that thumpy Macca tone. However, due to the scarcity of need for that tone, I find myself reaching for my 4003 far more often.

[Lycanthrope]

Well strangely enough I have no interest in Paul Mcartney at all, so it's perhaps a bit weird to buy such a bass

I don't now, I'm no wiser after sleeping on it... Do you guys think I can get the same tone from a 4003 that I would get out of a C64?

[Colonel Sanders]

Well strangely enough I have no interest in Paul Mcartney at all, so it's perhaps a bit weird to buy such a bass

I don't now, I'm no wiser after sleeping on it... Do you guys think I can get the same tone from a 4003 that I would get out of a C64?

I would suggest you go for a new 4003. It will give you plenty of that Squire tone.

[coolingitdown]

Well strangely enough I have no interest in Paul Mcartney at all, so it's perhaps a bit weird to buy such a bass

I don't now, I'm no wiser after sleeping on it... Do you guys think I can get the same tone from a 4003 that I would get out of a C64?

If it's the Chris Squire tone you want, you'll get it in spades from a C64, so it's not weird at all!

And while I don't know if it'll be identical to that tone, you can get a pretty close approximation from a 4003.

In addition, given your preference for some of the C64's aesthetic features, you may want to go with your first instinct on this one.