Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've been digging in the Bass Forum archives and ran across this message referring to the end of the V63 series and the PMC leftie version of the V63. Don't know who "anonymous" was:

Anonymous
Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - 03:58 pm:
Would Rickenbacker do a righty 4001v63 custom to include the nameplate upside down-but with the letters rightside? Sort of like a PMC model but for a righty. With the head "knot" on the headstock upside down.


Sure enough, the C64 series came shortly thereafter. I wonder if this was parallel thinking? Or did RIC run with this suggestion? Or maybe "anonymous" was "in the know"?

Thanks for digging in Paul. I am never sure if anyone looks at this files gathering dust.

Cool find. Regardless, I wonder how well it has been recieved? Of course it sells because it's the only vintage offering. Most of the comments here lament the end of the V63 and the "goofy" upside down C64. A 4001V68 would be the best vintage replacement now that all the Beatles collectors have been satisfied. The 4003JGCBVP that Dave Pascoe just got proves that it can still be done and is awesome looking!

Peter,

Those "files gathering dust" have been downloaded and saved to disc. There is a wealth of information there.

I know some old archives are still out there, and a few of us from back in the day would love to see them too, if time and cost permits.

Thanks once again for the opportunity to go back to the past!

When the V63 came out I tried one (its the mapleglo one in the UK catalogue from that time)and didnt like the non matching headstock wings. I then wrote to Mr.Hall about it and also mentioned that it would be a great idea to produce a Chris Squire bass as the Roger McGuinn and Tom Petty guitars catered for guitarists so why not a ltd edition bass? Lo and behold a couple of years later out comes the CS. Probably some coincidence but I think suggestions from the players out in the field do make a difference. Now, about the re-issue 8 string with curly headstock......and the definitive in detail re-make of the 1963 4001 and RM 1999....

If subliminal suggestions work...4001V68!

Definitely worth a try ....

I'm sure a lot of the ideas that we've posted here and in other places has been influential to RIC. Its great that JH reads this forum and pays attention to his customer base.

They obviously can't follow every suggestion, but listening to the feedback and acting on some of the more feasible ones is a good thing.

V86 I V68 have V68 no V68 comment. V68







V68

"Curley headstock". You mean like this Pete?

"I wonder how well it has been recieved?" At the time of announcement, not very well.
You may have a valid point about, "now that all the Beatles collectors have been satisfied" Wes but JH has indicated in the past that he is immovable on this.
The overwhelming consensus on most forums seems to be in favour of a 4001S/RM1999 which is the grail bass for most people.
In fact I'll go out on a limb and suggest if I were running the show I'd drop the C64, C64S AND the 4003 an replace them with a 4001S and checkerbound 4001. If anyone ordered a lefty 4001S they could be made with the righty headstock (like they were in the 60's) thus satisfying the tribute bands....He says raising the flame shield...

It theorized a couple of years ago that the 4003 seemed like it would morph into a vintage instrument to that might well supercede the 4003 and 4001 reissues with one instrument. That was before the push/pull tone pot and slimmer profile neck with walnut headstock wings came back

I still hope to one day have a 4001C64S!

I think you've got a good point, Gerry.

I've got my 4001S (and 4003) and when I mull over what *I'd* be interested in it would be those two models.

Of course I bought my 4001S in 1984 when it was much less popular - but maybe I was ahead of my time??