4001C64 Joins The Family

[superdick2112]

I went to Wildwood Guitars today to see and play the batch of 4001C64s thay just recieved, and after trying out a few of them, the stunning FireGlo bass has a new home.
I've never had the pleasure of playing a Ric with the horseshoe/toaster pickup combination, and all I can say is "Wow! I finally get it."
I was never too crazy about the reverse peghead, but I have to say it looks much cooler in person. The workmanship and set-up on this bass is typical Rickenbacker - that is to say flawless, and the FireGlo finish is especially deep and red on this one. The neck is the thinnest & fastest Ric neck I've ever played, and the sound is simply incredible - there is more jangle, clang and flat-out Rickenbacker tone in there than any other Rickenbacker bass I've ever played.

My sincerest thanks to the fine folks at Rickenbacker for a job well done, and I'll leave you with a few clickable photos of the beastie, with it's siblings, in it's new home.

[rickenbrother]

That's a fine looking trio of Ricks! Congrats and enjoy your 4001C64, Richard!

[RobRick]

Congrats on the C64! I have one and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Enjoy!

[cjj]

Nice! Congrats!

Love those guys at Wildwood too - great place!

[Ric N. Backer]

Congrats!!

Welcome to the fine world of the 4001C64. They are truly spectacular. I love the tone, balance, feel, look, and vib. RIC did a nice job with this one and I'm sure you'll enjoy its rewards for a long time.

You might want to give it a coat of Zymol in about a month or two. It'll help protect the finish, as well as make it glisten like gold!

[fretless]

Congrats !!! & HNBD !

[teeder]

Awesome! Congrats!

[rickaddict]

Congrats, Richard! Beautiful bass. Times have changed...

I bought my 4001C64S in 2003 off ebay from another forumite. But the interesting thing to me is that this forum seems to have come around on C64's. I bought mine for $1600 I think. Brand new, mint condition, perfect set-up, perfectly straight neck. At the time though, they weren't so popular around here. Many whined about the reverse peghead (and still do). Some whined about the pickups not being as hot as the 4001V63. I remember one guy even saying that his dealer told him that C64 quality wasn't as good as V63 quality! Since I had one of each, I remember comparing them closely one day and then posting that C64 quality was every bit as good as that of the V63. I was one of only a few people who had one, so it was a popular curiosity at Rickenbacker gatherings and many who picked it up were pleasantly surprised.

I also remember a brand new MG 4001C64 that had a cracked horseshoe pickup base (or a cracked pick guard I forget which). The damage had happened when the bass was shipped from RIC to the dealer. It would have cost $50 or less to get the thing perfect again, but it cycled through ebay about 4 or 5 times without anyone interested at it's opening bid price of $1350. That was in 2004 or so, but again...times sure have changed!

[superdick2112]

Thank you all for your congratutations - I sure appreciate it.

Having played the new bass for several hours last night & again this morning, I am simply in awe of it's tone and playability.
Every other Ric bass I've ever played required some type of EQ to achieve what I felt was "the classic Ric bass sound", but not this one. I've been playing it through my SWR Baby Blue Studio Reference combo with everything set flat, and the sound is just incredible! Classic Chris Squire & Geddy Lee tones are there in abundance, and it requires no effort to achieve them - simply play this bass, and the classic tones just come pouring on out!
I'm amazed at how my 4003, 4004Cii and 4001C64 can look so similar, yet sound so different, and I'm thankful to have such a diverse sonic palette to choose from.

I missed my chance to get a 4001V63 when they were available, so I figured I'd better grab one of these while I could - best decision I've made in a loooong time....

[jps]

Congrats, Richard!

I used to have a BB II that I played my 4001V63 through to great delight.

[superdick2112]

Thanks, Jeffrey. Nice V63 you have there, looks a little familiar... So does that amp!

Other than the reverse headstock and the clear thumb rest, can you tell me what the differences are between the C64 and the V63?

Thanks.

[SMR 78]

Richard, congratulations!

[shamustwin]

I do want one!

[bluewhale]

I've never had the pleasure of playing a Ric with the horseshoe/toaster pickup combination, and all I can say is "Wow! I finally get it."

It's a special thing. Congrats!

[Ric N. Backer]

I went to Wildwood Guitars today to see and play the batch of 4001C64s thay just recieved, and after trying out a few of them, the stunning FireGlo bass has a new home.
I've never had the pleasure of playing a Ric with the horseshoe/toaster pickup combination, and all I can say is "Wow! I finally get it."
I was never too crazy about the reverse peghead, but I have to say it looks much cooler in person. The workmanship and set-up on this bass is typical Rickenbacker - that is to say flawless, and the FireGlo finish is especially deep and red on this one. The neck is the thinnest & fastest Ric neck I've ever played, and the sound is simply incredible - there is more jangle, clang and flat-out Rickenbacker tone in there than any other Rickenbacker bass I've ever played.

My sincerest thanks to the fine folks at Rickenbacker for a job well done, and I'll leave you with a few clickable photos of the beastie, with it's siblings, in it's new home.

How's that bass treating you? Or should I inquire, how are you treating that fine bass?