Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So I'm sitting on the couch last night playing my '01 V63 while watching "Caddyshack" for the upteenth time, when I look over at the headstock and realize that the D tuner's "cloverleaf" is missing! It has become detached from the tuner post and fallen out. I quickly locate it and re-insert it into the post. Its a snug fit and a suitable fix for couch gigs, but I think I need get a replacement tuner. Did RIC use the same tuner on the V63's that they currently use on the 4003?
I also started wondering what would have caused the cloverleaf to break off. This bass has been a "case-queen" and the tuner has never received any knocks that I'm aware of. I then thought to put the bass it its vintage case, and that's when I noticed that the case isn't properly supporting the bass when closed. The bass' headstock slides down when you have the case in the "carrying" position, which results in the D tuner being up against the hard bottom of the case. I checked the case of another V63 and it held the bass fine - the headstock tuners don't make contact with any of the outer walls. It appears that the fix would be to insert a small amount of support under the lower horn - this will keep the bass from shifting. I don't want to use anything that would harm the bass' finish, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas regarding what I should use.

Bummer, Steve!

Not sure what to do about your case, but about the tuners...I have some (on Rick basses--no spares though) from the 80's through to the current 4003. They all look identical to me, V63 or 4003. A new 4003 tuner will do the trick just fine.

Good luck!

Thanks Jeff - I had a feeling the tuners were the same.

Steve, my '94 V63 has the same looking tuners as my '04 4003 - both have the Rickenbacker name stamped in the back.