Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I came across a late 90s V63 for a good price. I have also been looking at a new 4003 or 4003s. Whatever I buy will be played a lot. I currently own a 76 4001. As much as I love it, it does not like my constant abuse. I play 50-110 Stainless roundwounds. It needs truss rod work and has a small crack between the 5th and 7th frets on the treble side between the fretboard and neck. So I am looking for someone to repair the bass.
Now back to my original subject. I love the V63 looks but haven't played one. How will the truss rods hold up? Are they the type that adjust like a 4001 or do they adjust like the newer basses?
I need something that the neck will stay stable on with constant use. Thanks.

The v63's rods are conventional rods like modern 4003's. The gauge strings you use are slightly larger gauge than what come standard on new 4003's.

Here is the issue with v63's, I love them but they all have cavernous neck pup routes at the critical neck joint. I would stress that low tension strings be used on v63's. How is the instrument you played set up? How is the action? If it's high and the bridge is set low, it will only get worse with higher tension strings.

The new 4003'S basses are nice! The 2015 ones have more meat in the neck joint area. If I were you, I'd look into a new 2015 4003'S! If you want your bass to sound brighter, like your 4001, a forum member here, Dane Wilder, builds vintage spec harnesses that will make your 4003 come to life!

Sepp

Sepp, you mean 4003S, not 4005S!

bassduke49 wrote:Sepp, you mean 4003S, not 4005S!

Paul, oh ****! Yes, thanks. I fat fingered a 5 instead of the 3. That's what I get for trying to reply via "smart phone" while on vacation!

Correction made.

Sepp

Thanks for the information. I actually played a new 4003s a couple of weeks ago. I loved the way the neck felt.After I got the money for it,it had already sold.
They also have a new 4003 in stock but I didn't play it. Im thinking of going back this weekend and checking it out even though it's about $250 more than the S.
I wasn't really a fan of the bridge pickup in my 4001 until the .0047 cap was taken out.

The bridge pu in any of the new basses should be plenty strong sounding.

It's hard to beat the feel of a good "S" bass!

Good luck!

teeder wrote:The bridge pu in any of the new basses should be plenty strong sounding.

It's hard to beat the feel of a good "S" bass!

Good luck!

+1

I've two S's a February 91 and a March 15 both play great and sound lovely

I have owned both, and I've got to say, from a cosmetic point of view, the new 2015 4003s models are beyond compare! The horns are very slim as are the headstocks, and there's none of the pickguard "hump" that so many people object to. I just started a new job and I'm delinquent in posting pics of my brand spankin' new fireglo 4003s, but I Promise I will get to it soon! Toward the end of the 90s the headstocks on most v63s I've seen,plus one I owned, were very chunky. I really prefer the sculpted looks of the new S models, they record well(very quiet), and are priced very affordably.