Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I must have had a lemon. Mine was a 2000 as I recall; had a thick uncomfortable neck, what seemed like a huge headstock, a thick body and very weak neck pickup. Couldn't wait to get rid of it and go back to a '70's 4001.

I had two V63's: a Fireglo 2000 that sounded and played great, neck was a little thick, and a 2001 (?) Mapleglo with a very weak neck pickup, and the neck was pretty thick.
I've asked this before and don't know if it is true. I read somewhere in the archives that the real early ones had real functional horseshoes with the magnetic part being the horseshoe itself as opposed to the later ones with the big magnetic pole pieces. This was supposed to have been the 84 - early 85 ones. does any one know anything about this?
As far as the necks go I think they are different all the time, I have 3 4003's 96 to 2000, with the 96 being the thinnest it is almost like a late 70's 4001 neck and the 2000 being the thickest, but all three are comfortable and sound good. The 96 headstock and cutaways are just like the late 70's 4001's also. The other later ones have a longer headstock and thinner cutaways.

I have a Fireglo v63(year is 1997) and it seems to have the flatest fretboard, and is rather thick in the neck compared to my others, but it still plays so fine, it sings sweetly with flatrounds on it, and it is kinda my "McCartney" bass. It gets pretty heavy playing/gigging time. But it is my other v63 that I play the most, a Mapleglo made in '93, and its neck is most like those old late '60s - early '70s models - wide thin neck with a neck radius sorta like those early '60s C-necked Strats. I love that bass and my '71 so much becuase their necks are so alike(except for number of frets!) Those are definitely my "Squire" basses!
By the way, I saw somewhere above someone asked the question if there were v63s out there in other colors and the answer is YES!! I remember seeing Mike Parks site loaded with them in every color,back around '97-'98 and you could order whatever RIC standard finish they offered. I've seen Red, Black, Turq, Midnight Blue, and I think even Desert Gold...
I guess there could be some in White and other colors too...

My V which you could find under “Pictures of your Rick bass” has a birth date of March 1985. I’m the original owner. I bought it from Sam Ash or Manny’s (can’t remember) in NYC. The neck is ultra thin which somewhat ruins it for my 4003 which also has a nice neck but nothing compared to my V63.

And by the way, the horseshoe is magnetized.

The pick-guard is not like (what I would call) a small one on the C64’s. It actually comes down to the edge of the bass (by the jack plate) The sound is quite versatile. Based on the EQ settings I could range from Macca to Squire. Regarding the headstock; I’m too use to it, I couldn’t tell you if it’s oversized or not – you tell me. Oh yeah it's a MG. I love it and actually almost parted with it a couple of years ago. Don’t know what I was thinking about. It will never leave my side.

Andy

Hi Andy, is the sound any different from the later V63's with the non-magnetic horseshoes?

Hope I got this right while taking notes from The Rickenbacker Page (Thanks Mike).
In 1984 the colors offered were:
FG JG MG BURGUNDY AZUREGLO WHITE WALNUT RUBY SILVER

In 1985 BG RUBY SILVER drop out and RED and MID BLUE are added.

1991 sees Turquoise added.

1999 sees BURGUNDY 2 for a special edition color.

2000 sees WHITE, RED drop out and SEA GREEN and BURGUNDY as special edition color - both end that year

2001? any DESERT GOLD v63's go out?

Now about that Montezuma Brown 4001 C64..... well at least it is a current production model and the current limited color. Not that I wouldn't mind a Montezuma Brown 4005 and a V63 limited re-issue.

Cheers

Hey Bob, I really don't know - it's the only V I've played. To tell you the truth, I only recently realized (about a year ago) that they are magnetized. I think Sergio tipped me off. I can compare it to my 4003 which obviously is much hotter. But I like the V much better - neck, weight and sound.

Andy

Here is what is being called a Shorthead V63 from November of '97:




Yes that is a "drummer's Kiss" from an errant crash cymbal in the upper left.

TRC is 6 11/16" long
Headstock (from the headstock side of the nut) to the tip is 8 1/8".
Width (crest to crest) is 4 1/8".

So who has a LongHead and can share the vital stats for comparison?

Doh! My other left. I meant upper right or course for those without sharp eyes (o;}
Crushed wood and finish but has yet to chip.

Steve, My 85 measures out at 8 5/8 from the headstock side of the nut to the top of the crest and the width is 4 1/4

Andy

Thanks Andy,

Okay longer and wider for the headstock itself but, if I may ask, what is the length on the TRC?
Just in case one is encountering the old "optical conclusion" and there are varying TRC sizes as well.

Steve - TRC = 6 13/16

Andy

just for informations sake, my '00 V63 measures the same as yours Steve, however,,, my 4004 II is 8 5/8" long, and a mere 4" wide, with a 6" TRC.

damn drummers

LOL! Yeah; there's something wrong with musicians having to beat their instrument to play it!