Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What year did Rickenbacker change to the shorter style headstock on the 4001v63?

Thanks for any help!

-Steve

I thought they started out shorter and then eventually all of the Rics sported the current headstock ... the 4004 and v63 basses had it first ... then the 4003 got it about 1997 ...

here's my March 85

Uhm, forgive me - but the 4001v63 was/is entirely immune to headstock changes, no?

It's a replica of a circa-63 4001S, it is what it is, I.e - large with walnut headwings.

Here's a poor quality shot of my '99:

They did change at some point, when we discussed this earlier we measured 'em, mine is a half inch shorter than some of the older ones.

When the 4003 went back to the larger headstock it was still smaller than the v63. Around this point it appears they standardized the 4003 and v63 headstock shape.

The headstock of my 2004 4003 is the same as all the v63's I saw in the late 90's early 2000's.

Here's a shot of my 92 headstock, as you can see it's longer, slightly wiider than the 99, and closer to the 85.

Here's my May '93.

This is my 97 4003's headstock which is very close to the 92 v63's.

Of coures using the TRC as the reference, it may be that there have been slight changes to it, that then appear as changes to the headstock

Here's my 91' V63.

My '03 4004Cii is more like the vintage '60s headstock than the current 4003 or late '90s and later V63 headstock, which look the same. In fact the 4004Cii is identical in shape and size to my '67 4005WB.

4004Cii



'67 4005WB

A 1988 v63

How long was the run on the v63?

Jps, lets see a full body shot of your Natural Cii.

And isn't that a headstock of a 4003 MG/Laredo MG?

Here's mine – I’m a much better bass player than I am photographer!

This is my favorite bass to play.