Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Wouldn't the 4001C64 be more accurate if the headstock wasn't reversed? If this "C" series bass is to replicate McCartney's, then it should look like his as a lefty. But as a righty it should be the correct headstock design, unreversed. Or am I just looking at this the wrong way. I love RIC's basses, but that headstock just doesn't look right to me.

It is all about right-handed McCartney fantasies. I don't get it either. It is a wonderful bass but the headstock is pure gimmick. IMHO

I'm not crazy about it either. That if C64 that was on Ebay had a straight headstock, I would've busted my keyboard hitting BIN.

Back when McCartney got his 4001s, lefties used the same neck-through and headstock as the right-handed ones. This made manufacture easier, as there were many more right-handed ones than left. So basically, the same middle was used on all, just with different body wings. Later on, RIC flipped the headstock on lefties to have the cresting wave on the top side.

The idea of the C series is to replicate the Beatles instruments, so the lefty basses look correct, and the righties are mirror images, with the wave on the bottom. While I don't particularly care for the "upside down" design, the instruments I've handled are terrific. I ended up buying a used V63 which is nearly the same, but with the "right-side-up" headstock.

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.

After a while it began to grow on me to the point that I HAD to get one of the dang things. It's so different that it's almost rude. It's as though they were sitting around one night, having a few pops, and decided, screw it, lets put the wrong neck on a bunch of them and watch em dance.

There is something about Rickenbacker, and JH in particular, that I find fascinating and infectious.
It seems like every now and then they just give the finger to all and say, "here it is, if you don't like it, keep it in your pants".

Some of the crazy things that come out of them, Lightshow, Lemmy, 6/12, C64, Redneck, Tuxedo. At first I thought, what? Then before I knew it, it was love.

This type of behavior can wrinkle some feathers, but for some reason I find it endearing. It tells me we are dealing with not just builders of great instruments, but also artists that can be creative and risk takers.

I don't care for the lefty head on a righty...

I wish Rick would just do a RM1999.....
Sigh....

I like the C64 peghead! I prefer the V63's though.
The configuration that looks the best to be is a lefty neck with upside down, full length inlays and peghead! There is something about them. Too bad I couldn't play one!

Wouldn't the V63 be a reissue RM1999?

J. Gary, great point, and you forgot the 4080 and the 8-strings in your list...the big one!
Did they ever make a 4080 with an 8-string neck? That would be boss!

"I often wondered why PM didn't just flush his goofy bass and have a proper one built."

I get the sense that PM is a kind of frugal guy.

Honestly, the whole reverse headstock on a right handed bass makes no sense at all. It wasn't how right handers where made back in the day.

Wouldn't the V63 be a reissue RM1999?

No.

Imagine a V63 in a nice, deep Fireglo with a finger rest.

And the all-important Rickenbacker certificate: "... this is an authentic reproduction of one of a few hundred Model 4001S basses which..." etc etc.

And no doubt JPS will post his V63 after this.

"I often wondered why PM didn't just flush his goofy bass and have a proper one built."

What does THAT mean?

BTW the headstock looks "right" to me.

I actually like the upside down headstock. I think it complements the body. It counters the the top horn. Well, at least I think so.

"I wish Rick would just do a RM1999.....
Sigh...."

Me too. For a long time.

Mark: Can't help you with the cert but the thumb rest/tug bar is easily had through Pickguardian. 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. The only difference was the distributor.