Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Okay

I've recently owned four 4001/4003's (not at the same time).Unfortunately I had to sell my last 4001 to finance a new rig for my chapman stick (my primary instrument) after a devistating flood. ($10,000 of music equiptment lost).
I plan on getting another rick again(it may take a year) and have always loved the look of the v63 and C64. I prefer the v63 because of the headstock

So what are the differences and how uniform is the finish on the fireglo c64's? I hate alot of the new 4003 fireglos and I'd hate to buy one from Musicians friend and get a bland finish.

I'm mainly concerned about the differences though in the two basses

thanks
jazzstick

This aint much help but......I've never played a C64....I Love my V63FG !!!!

I've now owned both, and my preference is for my v63.

My c64 is a fine instrument, I just prefer the feel and sound of the v63. If anyone would be interested in a swap, long as it's Fireglo, let me know. This one is a really nice Fireglo finish.

David,
I meant to say, that is indeed a lovely Fireglo finish on yours.

I have owned two V63's and a C64S in the past and am quite happy with my MG 4003 with toaster on it now (my only Rick). Both my V63's were Fireglo and the finish was outstanding. The plain sanded finish on the C64S was, well, plain. The horshoes are great and have a lot of output but many people complain the horshoes get in the way when they are playing. I have only played a C64S but could not get used to the reversed headstock. A visual thing that to me that belongs to Paul I guess. The neck on the C64S was SUPER slim. Slimmer than my 72 4001 (wish I still had it). I have read on these forums that there is a difference in the sound of the pickups. Perhaps the v63's are hotter? I'm also pretty sure the C64 has the .0047 cap on it which means you'll want to consider getting the vintage tone control installed or just bypassing the cap if you want any serious bass out of the horshoe. Here's a pic of my old bass. Good luck and whichever way you go you've still got an incredible sounding Rick bass!

Just a question.
I recently scored a v63, is it normal that the horseshoe has 300% more output than the toaster?

I think the V will always be more popular than the C, simply because of the headstock. It was a factor in the beginning and it's one of the reasons the V's are such big $$$ these days.

The C necks are nice, but so are the early V's too. The NOS V MG '87 that sold this week was probably a killer bass.

Philip, yes, the horseshoe bobbin on the V's are huge, and are probably one the best P/Ups ever made by RIC. Even better, you can take those "aesthetic only" shoes off, and play the bass properly, really get the full range of bite from that treble position.

Hey Mike...thanks for posting a photo of my new V63

anoukane wrote:Just a question.
I recently scored a v63, is it normal that the horseshoe has 300% more output than the toaster?

Mine is too. I added the vtc, it's much more versitile.

Sam

The RI horseshoe pickups in both of my basses with them ('98 V63 and July '73 4001) are considerably hotter than the toaster. I am contemplating having them unwound to better match the toasters or I may put the original hi-gain back in the 4001; the hi-gain in my March '73 4001 matches quite well with it's toaster.

I replaced the horseshoe with a new adjustable high gain and the balance is great with the neck toaster .

The h/shoe overpowered the toaster somewhat on my V63, but that mainly seemed to be because I couldn't get the toaster close enough to the strings. The balance between the two is fine on my CS.

So, do people take out their horseshoes a lot, then? I would think it would be easier to compensate for it on the bass's EQ. I'm just curious, because I'd really like a V63 or C64. And what's this about the V63 horseshoes being "aesthetic only"? Is that a polite way of saying they're not really horsehoes?
Also, how do the toasters compare in these basses?

JPS- You have a July 73? I'm a July 73.

Sorry for all the questions.

Alien vs Predator.

Either one has its devotees, and since I don't have a C64 I'll go with the V63's.

Yo ME, the necks on the C64 have felt a tad more consistent in thickness and contour. I have 3 V63's and each one feels a lil different

YMMV

henry5 wrote:The h/shoe overpowered the toaster somewhat on my V63, but that mainly seemed to be because I couldn't get the toaster close enough to the strings. The balance between the two is fine on my CS.

Can you measure the DC resistance of those two HS pickups for comparison?