Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello. New to the page but I've visited many times. My reason for posting is that like 90% of the worlds bass players I'm right handed. No offense to Sir McCartney, but I'm not much of a Beetles fan. What's with ALL the reissue basses having a backward headstock? I don't want to look like Paul. I've had a 4001CS and I'm a big Yes fan. But I don't want to look like Chris Squire either. I'm sure there are others out there who would like a really nice, regular right handed reissue 4001S with all the vintage apointments like three screw tailpiece and Kluson tuners. And, if I can get picky, less tilt-back in the headstock. The original headstocks on the 4001 basses were nearly straight. What are your thoughts?

Welcome, Mike.

I guess the RIC bass that's closest to what you have in mind would be the 4001 V63, though the tailpiece is the 5-screw type and the tuners are probably Schaller. They come up on ebay from time to time.



Or you can start your quest for an old '60s or '70s 4001S.

go for the oldies!

I'm still looking for mine.

Hello and welcome Homer!

Here's a link to one available right now on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2371370508&category=4713&rd=1

It's one of the V series models that Paul refers to in his post.

I don't know about the tilt back headstock angle that these basses may or may not have... maybe a V63 owner will chime in here with that info!

Have not noticed a tiltback angle on my V63.

If that headstock is tilting, could be interesting.

Both my '97 V63 and my '03 C64S MG have the angled back headstocks that are referred to above.
For whatever that may be worth to the discussion.
Welcome aboard Homer.

The tilt is not as extreme as a Gibson guitar or bass, but it's there. Problem with owning a 1960's 4001, which I do, is that I'm not that comfortable with taking it out live. I've owned the 4001V63 basses and a 4001CS. They're nice, but a far cry from an original. The 4001V63 basses after 1995 have a different headstock shape. I don't know why. Few notice it. I've talked to RIC about it, but they don't care. Anyone who's got an original will agree when I say that no reissue so far is REALLY a reissue of the 60's 4001. I just wish RIC would make a reissue bass that was identical in looks and feel to a nice '64 4001S. What do you guys think?

I'm with you Homer!... I mean, Mike. And I'll tell you another thing, if I could get either an original early-mid 60's 4001 or a *perfectly* reissued 4001, I may never get another bass again... Maybe that's why Rick gets close but not close enough.

I think a lot of us here have noticed details like headstock shapes etc. I know I have. Most of us here are pretty anal.

No argument from me about that!

Me either, haha!

However anal we are, we love Rickenbacker.
(Is there a so-called "anal lover" species who pay attention to minute details to the one(s) they love?)

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's too bad though. Fender makes some awesome reissues. As much as I love Ricks, I really dig a good ol' Jazz bass. I played a '63 Jazz in LA one time. My USA made '62 Reissue felt identicle to the vintage Jazz. I'd pay A LOT of cash for the right 4001 bass, hands down. Maybe we should make a request of RIC and wave some cash around, heh heh.

Again, I'm with you. I love my '62 Reissue Precision, hands down the best new Fender Bass I've ever played. A good early 60's Precision feels pretty much the same to me as well. But I never have and never would consider myself a Fender Bass-man. I have two Ricks and a Fender, and I would like the ratio to be more like 3:1. I would not pay $2000 for a Fender Custom Shop considering the quality of the US Reissues, but I would quickly drop that or more on a limited run *Perfect Cosmetic Reissue* '64 4001... Think about how happy you would make us, JH.

I too, agree that my AV '62 Jazz Bass is as good as they come for getting a "real" early '60s JB for a reasonable price.

I wouldn't mind an accurate early '60s 4001 also.

I like the way my MIJ J_zz bass sounds, but really dig the pearloid (not crushed:0) inlays, bound neck, elephant ear tuning pegs, swamp ash-glo finish.

Which leads me always back to RIC...