Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Welcome, Julien!

PM sent!

Ommadawn wrote:What about a V63? I'd get closer to a vintage 4001 than a 4003, don't you think?

Well, the V63 has a hot toaster (around 12K) in the neck. Shouldn’t be hard to sell the hot toaster and get a 7.4K scatter wound toaster instead. Or someone might want to trade a 7.4K toaster for a hot one. The C64(S) on the other hand has a 7.4K toaster.

Also, the reissue horseshoe pickup is quite hot (about 10.5K or more). Unwinding it to about 8.2K-8.5K it will have approximately the same number of windings as a 7.4K toaster, the sound opens up more, and output strength more on level with a 7.4K toaster. Haven’t seen any reports of others unwinding the horseshoe though.

Thanks for all the replies. As I don't have the whole budget yet I can take the time to think about it. I admit I'm still a bit lost about my choie. I must find the Rick of my dreams

I actually called Rickenbacker in the 90's to ask if I could pit piccolo strings on an old 4001. They said it was ok. But they said NOT to put roundwounds on. I have always and still do to this day have GHS bass Boomers on my 1970's 4001's without incident.

As for which bass? I agree with the new 4003 choice. They make one fine bass and the quality is every bit as good as you would expect from Rickenbacker.

jps wrote:Welcome, Julien!

PM sent!

Hm, I can guess what that PM was about That V63 looks lovely, and it has the right vintage pickups - 7.4K toaster and a real horseshoe, if I got it right
And the price, it’s not much more than an ordinary 4003 in Europe.

Wiker wrote:

Ommadawn wrote:What about a V63? I'd get closer to a vintage 4001 than a 4003, don't you think?

Well, the V63 has a hot toaster (around 12K) in the neck. Shouldn’t be hard to sell the hot toaster and get a 7.4K scatter wound toaster instead. Or someone might want to trade a 7.4K toaster for a hot one. The C64(S) on the other hand has a 7.4K toaster.

Also, the reissue horseshoe pickup is quite hot (about 10.5K or more). Unwinding it to about 8.2K-8.5K it will have approximately the same number of windings as a 7.4K toaster, the sound opens up more, and output strength more on level with a 7.4K toaster. Haven’t seen any reports of others unwinding the horseshoe though.

This one has a 7.4K toaster along with a magnetic horseshoe pickup (built from '60s parts) that has the .0047µf cap in line; sounds great and vintagy.

If I had the money for Jeff's bass, that instrument would be in my house right now.

Besides having all the features, I know Jeff takes care of his instruments.

Love the V63

What a beauty! I love it!!

How much is a good used V63? I've seen one which is cheaper than a used 4003 or vintage 4001...

I'm partial to 4004's

How much is a good used V63? I've seen one which is cheaper than a used 4003 or vintage 4001...

You found a V63 cheaper than a new 4003 or a vintage 4001. That might be a good bet. I've seen them go for $1100 to about $2500. V63's are fantastic bases. That's my main player for the past year or so.

The more I read about them, the most I want a 4001 V63. And the fact that it's the most similar to the Chris Squire's model is a good point as well, regarding my musical tastes. I'm still opened to your suggestions though, as I'm still "gathering the budget" but it's getting slowly a bit clearer for me thanks to all the replies here, thank you!!

Glad we can help!

Sure, thank you very much! I didn't know the similarities between a V63 and Chris Squire's one.

But I'd like to know more about the V63, the history of this model, I should rather the official website I guess, I check it right now

Thanks Jps for your pm by the way

I know I'm late to the game but I really believe a new 4003 is one of the best Rics you can get right now. Overlooked in the enthusiast community sometimes because of their modern features, but they do lots of our favorite sounds with aplomb, and the pickups are very versatile depending on how you set them up.

Look for a V63, as they are sure to be great in most cases, but if that fails, don't rule out a 4003. If you really want a Toaster and so on that can be done by modification for not too much money in the grand scheme.

Actually, I'm keeping every models in mind, I'm not 100% totally decided

I'm just realizing that 4001 and 4003 models have the same kind of pickups but the V63 has different pickups, like the Chris Squire model (as some of you said in the replies but I'm not really familiar with the different kind of pickups). Are they so different sonically compared to 4001/4003 models?

Thanks