Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Only $2500 starting bid
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3774942209&rd=1

Ah well, collectors hype and all that.

Got to admit, though - that's a bass which really is in MINT condition. Wow.

Henny, the 2 CSs I've had haven't been too much like the V63s I've played (or the one I owned). Very different neck and also somewhat different sound, even acoustically; not hugely different, but noticeably. The CSs have been harder and clearer sounding, which may or may not be your thing. I've preferred them to the V63s to be honest, and not just cause I'm a big Squire fan, although I do wish the finish wasn't so fragile. You're right about them not being much like Chris's though, as both Squire himself and Nick Beggs (who's played both)have stated. In fact my 4000 does a better Squire impersonation than my CS.

I,m still amazed at the prices these bring, what with the amount made in nearly a decade of production. Neck dimensions aside, (and I think from reading posts here over the years the majority of people have said they prefer the V63) it,s essentially the same bass with a more delicate finish.
I wish they were more 60,s basses about and more people had the opportunity to feel and play them. Squire,s original bass is probably very similar to my RM1999 and they are just about as thin as a neck can get. They feel very fragile and one can see how they have had all had their problems over the years. All are very acoustic and back in the day I used a lot of vibrato on mine. I,m a little less physical with it these days...

I agree you you 100% Andrew - My 85 V62 has one of those 60ish type necks - with modern truss rods (thank god). It has a neck on it just what I would expect to find on Chris' Ultra slim and fast!

cheers!

I've owned an '87' v63 and two CS 4001's. The v63 had one of the thinnest Rick necks I've ever played. The CS 4001's neck felt huge in comparison. I believe the first 5 or 6 years of V63 production the necks were extra thin and had become thicker over the years. It's no wonder V63's from the 80's are nowhere to be found for sale.

I tend to feel that most CS buyers probably fall into 3 main categories - "collectors" (I'm not sure why they suddenly became so collectable as in real terms they're not that rare; maybe Matt Malley was responsible for that);die hard Squire fanatics who want a bass like (?) their idol, and people like me who just love the aesthetics (cream and vermillion, yum!).

I make no bones about the fact that I bought both of my CSs because I love how they look, not for any sonic reason or artist association (although I do love Chris). Obviously anyone who doesn't fall into one of the above categories is likely to think that anyone who pays admittedly inflated prices for these basses is mad. And we probably are. Unfortunately (and it's not a situation I'm particularly happy with) if you want one you have to pay through the nose. Personally I'm far happier having got one than not, regardless of the cost, but obviously if you don't view them as special in any of the above ways then you'll steer well clear. For anyone who doesn't have "CS-itis", you don't know how lucky you are! I'm just glad I'm not into vintage Jazz Basses, compared to which the price of a CS is a mere drop in the ocean.

Incidentally, the guy who runs our rehearsal room has seen all my recent Ricks, from my 72 with all the desireable features through to my 8 string, through my 4000 and my V63, and the only one that received the comment "what a beautiful bass" was my CS, so it's not just me! To each their own....

With regards to necks obviously I can only speak from my own experience, and my 2 CSs have had thin flat necks like my 72 4001, which I prefer. All the V63s I've tried (maybe 5 or so now) have had much fatter C shaped necks, which I like less. It may be that neck dimensions on both models are similar for equivalent years, I don't know; I'd be very interested to try an 80s V63 to see how the profile suits, but as stated you seldom see them, whereas the later ones seem to crop up quite often. I've actually played a late 60s 4001 though, and my CS neck is very similar (it's a '91).

I also believe the first few years of CS 4001 production had somewhat thinner necks than later versions.

That could explain a lot of differing experiences Joseph!