Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What are the chances of Rickenbacker doing a "righty" 4001C64 with a non-reversed headstock and non-shaved horns for those who missed the 4001V63? Does Rickenbacker offer this as an option? Sounds like a lot of people have the same aesthetic issues I do when it comes to the C64.

I would rather not have to buy used, and would greatly appreciate having a wider choice of colors than seems available currently (like Jetglo).

If this option should become available, I would place an order with my local dealer immediately.

Sorry if this has been brought up in the past. I searched and didn't see any difinitive answers. Please post a link if it has been discussed and answered be Mr. Hall.

-Peter

Slacker: Welcome to The Rickenbacker Forum. This is a very good question and, as you might expect, the topic has come up before. You can see some of the comments by typing in "4001C64" into the seach utility function available in under Utilities in the menu to the left of this message.

For the time being, based on what I have read, I would think that the answer to your question is no. John Hall may be able to give us the very latest should he read this post.

Comparatively few have such issues- those few just like to mouth off. Go buy one and deal with it. Paul did.

Garry
A C64 Owner and **** proud of it!

Sorry, Garry, the reverse headstock is too much for me to deal with. It is a matter of personal taste. No offence intended.

I would rather buy used or "make" my own 4001V63 from parts than purchase a bass I was less than happy with. Perhaps I will make a direct inquiry, and contact Rickenbacker directly.

Had I known the 4001V63 was to be discontinued, and no "righty" model would take its place, I would have purchased one while I had the chance.

Back to Ebay I go...

I asked this very question of my local dealer. He said "not a chance." He gave me the impression that he had already asked and been told to forget about it.

The reasoning behind the C-Series basses having the reversed headstock is to replicate the specs of McCartney's Rickenbacker, whether it's for right or left-handed players. Paul's had a reversed headstock, and so does the 4001C64.

Back in the day, all the factory did was take a right-handed neck blank and flip it--add some some small changes(side markers and nameplate etc...) and install it to a left-handed body. Voila, a left-handed Rickenbacker was born.

Personally I am not a fan of the 'mirror image' left-handed Rickenbackers that started to appear in the late '80's..I like 'em the old way, guitars AND basses both.

John: And then there are the "lefty players" who just take a right-handed bass and turn it upside down. Did you start that way? I am left handed and forced myself to play right-handed. While I will probably never be as good as I might have (LOL)the advantage was that there were always plenty of guitars from which to choose. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for ball gloves.

Peter, my first ever bass guitar was a Sivertone violin bass that I bought at a yard sale($35), and I changed the nut on it so I could play it left-handed. I was paranoid about leaving my 4001 at school in the band room, so out of nesessity I learned to play the school's right-handed bass upside down, so early on I could play two different ways. I have had a bunch of righty Hofners, they're no biggy to play upside down but other than that all of the basses I have had over the years are custom left-handed.

And of course Rickenbacker offered left-handed guitars with RIGHT handed stringing, to do just what you describe.(maybe they still do...!)

Trisha Yearwood's bassist (Keith Horne) is a lefty who plays in this manner, upside down with lefty bodies/necks.

I'm a lefty who's a natural right handed guitar/bass player. I tried playing my Rics upside down, but WOW, that did not go well

Peter Newell-- Be sure to check with Chris Clayton at PickoftheRicks and Mike Parks at the music connection. Either one can probably locate a 4001V63 in near mint condition fairly soon, and at a reasonable price. I would certainly trust both of these guys over eBay.

Peter-- Just wanted to notify you of a 4001V63 sighting. Stephane Turgeon, a member here at the forum, has a nice looking Mapleglo model for sale. It's listed at eBay, and I think he's also got it listed here over at the "Rickenbackers for Sale" area.