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4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:53 pm
by Ric N. Backer
I appreciate much of what’s been posted on this forum. Many threads are informative, entertaining, and revealing. I’ve learned much and would like to return the favor. :D

This thread has some eye-candy I think you’ll enjoy, as well as some observations that might be enlightening. My goal is to contribute something of value. This is, after all, one of the forums many enthusiasts visit to learn about Rickenbacker products, and view pictures that never cease to tantalize the senses. I would also welcome your personal observations and input regarding my favorite bass, the 4001C64 & 4001C64S.

Where to begin? Well, let’s take a look at my C64 family portrait.

Like the boys from across the pond sang, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven; all good children go to heaven.”

Hence, my Heavenly Seven (click on pic to enlarge)…

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There are some pretty nice difference between the gals and fellows.

The Fireglo, for example, has changed over the years. Here’s my 2005 and 2010. Their difference is stunning.

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Next, I’d like to share something that not everyone might be aware of; headstock thickness. Not all C64 sweethearts are identical. That’s just one of the many aspects that differentiate and distinguish them. Let’s take a look.

You’ll notice that the thickness varies. I measured (using a micrometer) the thickness of all seven. Here are their measurements:

0.740”
0.733”
0.722”
0.645”
0.640”
0.619”
0.619”

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The ones with the heavier girt are males I suspect. :lol:

Another contrasting difference is how far the walnut wings extend down the neck.

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There is also some variation with respect to the distance between where the walnut wings mate with the maple neck and the inner curve of the headstock crest. Also, there is a difference regarding how much of the maple neck shows between the upper and lower curves of the truss rod cover and the walnut wings.

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Did you notice the stellar grain on the one headstock? Let’s look at the rear, shall we.

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Stunning, isn’t it! :shock:

And of course, there’s always the visual delight of the fingerboard. Sorry, these pics don’t do the grain justice.

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Neck thickness (back of neck to the top of the fingerboard) seems to be the same. At least by general feel.

They all sound and play…, well…, they’re magnificent. Better make that spectacular.

And my favorite part of their collective distinction, you guessed it, their reversed headstock.

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Hope you enjoyed viewing this as much as I had putting it together.

Oh, just one more thing. I read something in another thread that captured the essence of what we do. I hope ajish4 doesn’t mind me quoting him.

“Here in forumland, we tend to analyze every minute curve, horn, pickup placement etc. By in large I think the average player doesn't care for all the minute things we forumites obsess about. They just want to own & play the darn thing.” - Ajisk4; Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:50 am.

Cheers! :mrgreen:

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:57 pm
by sloop_john_b
While your observations of the minutæ are fascinating, and I certainly don't mean to be the wet blanket on what will be a good thread, I feel I must ask: why seven of the same bass?

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:12 pm
by libratune
Thanks for sharing, some interesting comparisons.

BTW, do you have any C64S basses?

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:13 pm
by cjj
sloop_john_b wrote:While your observations of the minutæ are fascinating, and I certainly don't mean to be the wet blanket on what will be a good thread, I feel I must ask: why seven of the same bass?
Why not?
:lol:

Nice collection there! 8) 8) 8)

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:27 pm
by superdick2112
cjj wrote:
sloop_john_b wrote:While your observations of the minutæ are fascinating, and I certainly don't mean to be the wet blanket on what will be a good thread, I feel I must ask: why seven of the same bass?
Why not?
:lol:

Nice collection there! 8) 8) 8)
+1 I can understand having more than one of the same model - I hope to eventually have a 4004Cii in each of the translucent colors.

You go, Robert!

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:36 pm
by aceonbass
sloop_john_b wrote:While your observations of the minutæ are fascinating, and I certainly don't mean to be the wet blanket on what will be a good thread, I feel I must ask: why seven of the same bass?
I was wondering the same thing myself. I mean, did you actually buy seven of the same bass because of the minute differences in headstock thickesses and colors? Does this make a difference when you take them to a gig to play them?

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:54 pm
by thisismusicinc
Nice 8)
What years are they? #1 and #3 are C64S's, right?


Off topic: How do I write plural 64esses?

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:01 pm
by Grey
I don't really understand it either. On some forums I visit you see guys who have 5,10, or more of the same Les Paul model in different finishes.

Maybe it's because getting the money together for one in the midst of other expenses is alot more difficult for me than others. If you've got the money to swing it then by all means.

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:15 pm
by johnhall
Ric N. Backer wrote: Image
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Uh oh, we put the dots in the wrong place on one of those!

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:19 pm
by johnallg
Nice post and basses. Very interesting about the headstock thicknesses. Any tonal differences you can attribute to this? Heft/authority of notes?

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:40 pm
by dricard
Nice collection.

I'm wondering if pointing out the different thicknesses of the headstocks somehow tarnishes Rickenbacker's quality control image- No doubt all of them are beautiful, but shouldn't they be consistent?

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:03 pm
by superdick2112
dricard wrote:Nice collection.

I'm wondering if pointing out the different thicknesses of the headstocks somehow tarnishes Rickenbacker's quality control image- No doubt all of them are beautiful, but shouldn't they be consistent?
I don't think the differences are due to any lack of quality control, but rather they are an indication of just how much hand-crafting goes into each bass. After all, these are not your typical mass-produced instruments, they are hand-made playable art - in other words, they are Rickenbackers. :D

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:13 pm
by libratune
thisismusicinc wrote:Nice 8)
What years are they? #1 and #3 are C64S's, right?

Off topic: How do I write plural 64esses?
Yeah, on a zoom view you can see the zero frets on #1 and #3, which would make them 64Ss.

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:28 pm
by sloopdog
Nice collection. Thanks for sharing the photos.

I can understand having more than one of the same bass. I have 2 4001C64's. One I have has the original strings, and the other I strung with nylon wound strings for a differrent sound.

The 4001C64S, I wanted because I really liked the color and for the simple fact that it was a little different than the other two I have.

Re: 4001C64 – Heavenly Seven

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:46 pm
by basmansam
Awesome collection. I've owned 2 - C64S's and 1 - C64. They're great basses, great comparisons too!!