4001 CS re-finish

[rickaddict]

I say, go for it. Especially if it's an early CS with a small neck. I'd even try to put the nickel-plated reverse tuners with the small bushings on it if you could.

And my vote is for no exposed wings. Sure, it looks cool on CS's bass and its re-issue clones...but that's his thing. If you're not trying to re-make CS's bass, then why steal his exposed-wings-on-a-painted-bass thing.

[jps]

...this type of headstock looks fantastic all in white when onstage.

So does all JG.

[aceonbass]

I would think that, being an actual 4001CS, you could sell it, buy a V63 to refinish(sanding the back of the neck to thin it down as needed) and STILL have money left over. Changing the color and painting over the vermillion headstock wings to have a white V63 just seems like a waste as the things that differentiate it from a V63 are the things that will be changed to make it indestinguishable from one. I'm assuming that in good condition, any 4001CS is worth about twice as much as a similar condition V63.

[anoukane]

I'm thinking of having my v63 refinished in white aswel. Unfortunately there aren't any specialized Ric refinishers in Holland. What kind information do I need to give the "refinish guy"?

[jps]

I'm thinking of having my v63 refinished in white aswel. Unfortunately there aren't any specialized Ric refinishers in Holland. What kind information do I need to give the "refinish guy"?

Krylon spray cans should do the trick!

[seyesbass]

Hi Dane,
I have a FG V63 and I was almost going to do what you just described but I didnt want to wreck the finish on that one because it looks so good.
In fact the V63 is going to pay for the CS when I eventually sell it.
However,the CS that I just bought isnt in good condition finish wise and needs re-finishing anyway.
I know where you are coming from about the headstock wings and I was actually going to do that to the white RM back in 1979!
The wings on Wints RM are very dark and would look good stripped but it would have been looked upon as a white version of Squires bass if you get what I mean.
The headstock shape is so good on these "vintage" style basses that when painted white the lines of the guitar will stand out on stage.
Which brings me to the point of why I bought the bass in the first place.
Its for playing on stage rather than an investment and if you knew how much I regretted selling the white RM all those years ago then it would be easy to see why I want to re-create that bass.The fretboard on this CS is spookily similar to Wints and as soon as I felt the neck when I picked it up at Grahams house I knew what this bass was destined for.
If I was just collecting I would have found a mint condition CS to keep locked away but as investments go I think I am doing ok with the 1990 CS that Chris was photographed with not that I ever want to sell it.I have hardly used the V63 and keep it in its case near my stack on stage as a spare for emergencies but its in near mint condition and will be a great investment for Shawn (lucky) (who has first refusal on it) if he goes ahead and buys it which I hope he does. I can apply for visiting rights then!
At the end of the day its only a paint job and if the feeling came over me to return the bass into the CS family then its easily done.
Thanks for the input Dane.

[aceonbass]

Good enough Pete. Now that I've said my peace, I look forward to seeing pics of the transformation. Yes, I've read about your RM1999 aquisitions that have come and gone. Wasn't one of your basses one serial number away from McCartney's?

[chucksimms]

Well, I refinished mine last year. I had gigged with it nonstop for nearly 6 years and it was dark brown wherever my body made contact- back of the neck, by the tailpiece, most of the back. I had it done the same colour; slightly more yellow in the finish. It looks great and I don't regret it at all.

[henry5]

Given that so many CSs seem to suffer finish problems, but given that they're pretty collectible, how much is a decent refin going to damage the resale value? I've considered having mine done in the past but haven't bothered so far because it gets played a lot.

[aceonbass]

I tend to think that if it's a high quality refin in the original color, it won't hurt the value at all. If it's a different color, I'm guessing it would drop the value by at least the cost of another refin, if not more. I personally don't care for the color myself that much as it usually looks a bit too yellow to me. When I did my Squire inspired 4008, I chose more of a creamy antique white color.

[bassduke49]

Then there's this one, refinished V63 in non-yellowing snow white by Dale Fortune for Sean Kelly. Sean sold it to me in December:

[rickfan63]

Now that's what a all white Rickenbacker bass should look like!!! Those headwings really make it stand out. Beautiful bass!!!!!

[wints]

Yeah...I'm real fond of that one also...

[doctorwho]

Now that's what a all white Rickenbacker bass should look like!!!...

Hey, my 4003 WHT WT resents that!

1998 4003 WHT WT (white binding)

[alanz]

What good is white if it doesn't eventually turn to SnotGlo, I ask?