Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Initially I did not care for the reversed head. I often wondered why PM didn't just flush his goofy bass and have a proper one built.

What's proper? With Paul's bass likely being the first Rickenbacker lefty bass ever made(YES a lefty, thank you...LOL), it's kind of peculiar to say it's 'improper'...and they were all made like that for 24 years.

I think you mean the first LEFTY bass ...

How is the V63 not an RM1999 reissue? The V63 is a reissue of an early 60's 4001S therefore it is also an RM1999.

(Hey, I know the whole RM1999 reissue is moot.. you don't have to remind me. Just keeping the dream alive. )

Hi Ronn, are you one of those "lefty's".

I was yakking that my first impression of the reverse headstock was "ewe, yuck!". It occurred to me that Sir Paul, being a Knight, a Beatle, stupid rich, might have enough wherewith-all to ante up for a true lefty. Same goes for that Hendricks fella. I'm thinking, hey!, surely someone will spot you the cash for a proper lefty.

Then I sadly realized that these folks, that would be the gifted, care little about the vehicle, and more about the ride. I was sure hoping that I could simply buy the right Rick and apply to be a Beatle or a Yes man. ****!

Maybe if I have a bunch of Ricks, that will help? That would be, aw no!

Paul obviously cared somewhat about how his guitars looked or would not have chosen the Hofner because it looked the same left-handed as right-handed. That said, however, he doesn't care enough to stop him from putting a Detroit Redwings sticker on the top of his Epiphone Texan (still there the last I knew). And there's the age factor -- Speaking as one who started playing "back then," we were more content to settle for what was available. There wasn't so much of a "designer" market as there is now, what with with 15-year-olds having much more disposable income that I ever did. I know guys my age today (57) who are still playing the guitar they had when we were 16. Some guys just aren't gear heads.

Anyone here have a LH C64?

Here's a 4001V63PMC in Mapleglo...the C64LH peghead is basically the same in concept..


...and the peghead from my Oct. 72 4001LH...


They look right to me, LOL...

"...Hofner because it looked the same left-handed as right-handed. "

OK, here's where I've been confused for many years: He always says he got the Hofner 'cause it was symmetrical(and cheap) and didn't look silly upside-down, has anyone ever seen a photo of him with an upside-down righty Hofner? I haven't.
I totally understand what he's talking about, I've got plenty of righty basses that I play upside-down, but I've never seen or heard anything about him actually playing a righty Hofner.

I'm one of those folks who first became aware of Rick basses via Macca. To me, the regular headstock always looked backwards! It was always one of those seemingly unattainable fantasy instruments. "I'd want a V63 but with a reverse headstock just like Paul's." I initially resisted because of price, but really the C series bass was a dream come true for me (and many others I suspect). I LOVE my C64S. It's my main bass now, with my 4001CS as backup. I only wish I could afford a fireglo 4001C64 too.

'82 4001S

'80 4003

'91 4001CS

The difference between a v63 and a hypothetical RM1999
re-issue is that through out the v63s production span, it
was not an exact replica. The shapes were off. The c64
is much closer.
To me the reverse head doesn't work with the body; the hook should echo the bass side horn...
IM not so HO

I'm thoroughly convinced that Paul McCartney, as great a singer/songwriter/performer that he is, is nowhere close to being a gearhead. His recollection of the Hofner as he first got one (likely a 60 or 61 leftie with the close-coupled pickups) certainly did look the same as a rightie (in overall symmetrical shape). I think what he was trying to say was that an asymmetrical right-handed instrument would look "daft" turned upside down, with the cutout on top instead of bottom, as would a righty Rick 4001 or a Strat, or a Les Paul. Yes, the position of the controls and pickguard would be backward, but I'll bet Paul never considered that would be a problem. Isn't his Casino upside down? So he was supplied with a leftie Hofner, but he may never have been concerned.

I think if Paul was a true gearhead, he would have replaced his rather beat Hofner with a new one every year or so (he certainly has the ££) and even replace the Rick with newer/better ones after butchering it so. I think he's kept them because they work and it doesn't matter. Like a good craftsman, he would not blame (or credit) the tools for the quality of the work.

Left-handed Hofners have flipped right-handed necks, always have. The only difference (a subtle one at that) is the headstock. Plus most people see McCartneys than anyone else's, so his looks natural.

Paul,

His Casino and Esquire are righty's.

McC's Rick was the first one I had ever seen, so the upside down peghead looks perfectly fine to me.

The best musician, that I personally know, is only vaguely aware of the type of instrument that he's using. As long as it sounds right. He can barely change strings! Guitars are just tools to him. That's close to how I picture McCartney and Lennon.

Cool one....