Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have been a HUGE fan of both Rickenbacker Basses, AND Chris Squire....for many years now. Would LOVE to own a 4001CS!!!!!

Since I play Lefty......the chances of my owning one are extremely limited. I know a couple Left-Handed models were produced.
I do however, own an earlier 4001V63--circa '91. Since there are ONLY two real differences between the 4001CS and the V63, I consider them to be the same bass.....really.

My question is....has anyone ever done an A/B comparison of the two??? If so, ARE there any major differences in the sound/tone??? WHAT are they????
I'm wondering how much difference the fingerboard wood makes in the sound.

Hoping someone can clue me in..........

I think the V and the CS would sound real similar, the only difference being fingerboard material and paint. I really doubt that either one of them would sound close to Chris's RM.

I think the pickups, strings, and wiring would make far more of an impact on the tone then the fingerboard wood.

And I'll beat the other members to the punch: hugely important is WHO is playing it. When you hear Chris Squire play a different Rick or his Fender he still sounds like Chris. More than most players, his technique is so important. (Miguel Falcao is another example of this concept.)

But of course the bass DOES matter. I do understand the subtle differences you are referring to and am not trying to underplay the significance of gear. After all, as my friend lovingly/jokingly says: "It is ALL about the gear.".

I too would love to have a CS Rick.

1. I do understand that neither model will sound like Squire's RM---Excellent point there!!!

2. I do understand that strings, amp. technique etc. matter....

What I'm asking is how close, if at all, does the V63 sound to the 4001CS. Has anyone compared the two????

I KNOW this doesn't matter--within the grand scheme of things --I would just like to know if there's any REAL difference between the two models
(With ALL the above factors accounted for).

But it really does matter. That is why most of the Threads on the Forum exist.

I am hoping some others will chime in about an A/B comparison.

Probably less than 1% difference, if that makes any sense.

jdogric12 wrote:Probably less than 1% difference, if that makes any sense.

agreed ^

Just sayin'..

You probably couldn't tell if the difference was just between basses or if there were actually any difference between models. I had two V63's set up exactly the same and they sounded different from each other. Not much, but there was a difference.
Now for a disclaimer, the only CS I've ever seen in person was the original.

iamthebassman wrote:Just sayin'..

Ronn......How much do you want for it?????

I have touched the original.

It definitely felt different than my 4003.

Billsbro wrote:I have touched the original.

It definitely felt different than my 4003.

You've touched Chris Squire's RM??? Wow!!!! How was/is it different from your bass???

Of course it did - it's a '64 RM1999! There is none better.

You've touched Chris Squire's RM??? Wow!!!! How was/is it different from your bass???[/quote]

At the Yes show in PHX last year. The Celebrity Theater is a "in the round" theater and all of Squire's and Howe's instruments were at the "back" of the stage area. The aisle was about 2' from them. When they first let us in I walked around looking at all of the gear; many of us were taking photos of the axes. Squire's bass was just right there...I very gently put one finger on the headstock. I suddenly started seeing paisley patterns and surging, pulsating colors...I was transported into another dimension and I could hear that crazy collage part of Relayer in my mind. Suddenly Chris appeared above me with a wry smile on his face...he downloaded the sum of his knowledge and musical ability directly into my cerebral cortex. I finally understood ALL of Yes' lyrics and was at one with the universe.

Well, I am joking about the paisley and the knowledge part but it really was a cool thing to touch!

(Sorry, Chris!)