4001C64 - I'm confused ?

jla,jr · Post by **jla,jr** » Sat May 12, 2001 8:45 am

The "C" model 4001 -1964 (non Macca style) originally was to have a "reversed headstock", I went to the Rick site and it is pictured that way. Yesterday I read two posts from reputable sources which claim this is not the case. They say it will NOT have the reversed headstock and it can only be ordered in FG ? Can someone clear this up for me, thanks !

Christopher_Bourke · Post by **Christopher_Bourke** » Sat May 12, 2001 12:56 pm

I think Rickenbacker posted the pictures the wrong way 'round. The 4001c64 will be much like the older v63 but with a more acurate bridge pickup plate to the way McCartneys was.
The Macca style one will have reverse headstock and shaved horns, like his looks today.

Nick_Thiel · Post by **Nick_Thiel** » Sun May 13, 2001 8:31 am

There is no error with the photo on the Ric website, that IS what the 4001C64 righty WILL look like. Both the 4001C64 and 4001C64S are intended to be reissues of the McCartney bass and the Ric website clearly states that the 4001C64 is available in fire-glo and maple-glo. At the moment there is only the intent to issue it with a reverse headstock (which is correct if you mirror the McCartney lefty), but Mr. Hall once told me that if enough concern were shown, they would consider issuing it with a regular headstock.

Nick_Thiel · Post by **Nick_Thiel** » Sun May 13, 2001 8:57 am

This is the price list that was forwarded to me before NAMM, this should help clear things up for you.

C Series Models

325C58 JG $3199
325C58 MG $3199
325C58 LH JG $3324
325C58 LH MG $3324
325C64 JG $2999
325C64 LH JG $3124
360/12C63 FG $3199
360/12C63 LH FG $3324
4001C64 FG $2999
4001C64 MG $2999
4001C64 LH FG $3124
4001C64S MG $3199
4001C64S LH MG $3324

Christopher_Bourke · Post by **Christopher_Bourke** » Sun May 13, 2001 5:37 pm

Well, I wont argue with those who have spoken directly with people at Rickenbacker, but dealers like North Coast Music are saying that the C64 will have only the normal headstock.. though their NAMM photos show otherwise... and that the C64s has that really rediculous looking reverse headstock. Now I'm truly sad to see the v63 go.
Rickenbacker screws up once again!
..sorry for the ranting....

Nick_Thiel · Post by **Nick_Thiel** » Mon May 14, 2001 3:20 am

I can understand your way of thinking on this, but as I said above both of the basses are being issued in McCartney specs so a mirror of the lefty would look like this as a righty.

Here is one for you, go look at this 360 lefty and tell me what looks odd about it: http://www.southpawguitars.com/360.jpg

If I were buying a lefty 360/12C63, I would want the inlay on the fingerboard to be turned around the right way, not upside down as seen on every other lefty Ric. It's the same philosophy.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon May 14, 2001 6:49 am

Nick: Are they going as far as to put the lucite finger rest on the 4001C64, as it was on Paul's when it was new??

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Mon May 14, 2001 7:39 am

If they don't, anyone wanting them contact me at:
[email protected] Made to order!!

Nick_Thiel · Post by **Nick_Thiel** » Mon May 14, 2001 11:53 am

I don't know if it will have it, I'm not really sure that McCartney's had one. I'm only going on the pics that I have from '65 and '66 showing it without any signs of screws or screwholes, but something would be nice to see if there was one on there at some point. I did noticed that the pick-guard was cracked in a few of the studio pics though.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Mon May 14, 2001 1:07 pm

I've never seen McCartney's bass with a finger rest. Or even holes where the screws would've fit.

C._Bourke · Post by **C._Bourke** » Mon May 14, 2001 1:32 pm

Nick-

The shark teeth are the wrong way round on that 360?

C._Bourke · Post by **C._Bourke** » Mon May 14, 2001 1:36 pm

oh ok... didnt finish your post as you already said the teeth are the wong way round. Looks funny. However if you look at the 4001c64s on the Rickenbacker site the headstock looks to be normal right handed. The photo doesnt enlarge but you can tell by the tuning machine placement. I think this is what lead to the original misunderstanding.

Nick_Thiel · Post by **Nick_Thiel** » Mon May 14, 2001 1:46 pm

The specs or photos of the 4001C64S haven't been released yet, the little tiny pic on the Ric site is of a 4001V63. Rickenbacker is still waiting to hear back from McCartney's tech before they make the final decision as to which variation of the bass will hit the streets.

C.Bourke · Post by **C.Bourke** » Mon May 14, 2001 6:59 pm

I just came accross a picture of a V63 left handed bass for sale and for the very first time noticed that the headstock is NOT like Macca's. Its a mirror of a right hander. I guess I always assumed all lefty 4001's had the upsidedown headstock. Well, now I'm a bit less annoyed by the whole issue, as they are just trying to make a more accurate copy on a technical level and not just reversing ANY lefty bass (which is dumb)...but McCartney's lefty bass (which is cool).
But I do take issue with the prices! Guitars are meant to be played and not hung on the wall with collectors worrying about fingerprints getting on the horseshoe pickup...

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue May 15, 2001 2:34 am

I know that near the end of 1972 that the finger rest was a hit-and-miss addition on a 4001..maybe this was the case with Paul's, due to the fact it was the first left-handed Rickenbacker bass made, kind of like a prototype...Since most of them you see from pictures 'back in the day' had them, I'm wondering in the interest of authenticity if the C64 will have a finger rest--and maybe leave it off of the C64S, which follows Paul's bass more closely...