Rickenbacker 4001C64 C Series Electric Bass Guitar  

Between this and my 1965 vintage Gibson EB-3, I can't figure out which one I like better.  So I don't. Two completely different types of bass anyway.......The Ricky is fabulous and a work of art. Quality of construction and finish is second to none.

I have both the 4001C64 purchased recently, and 4001C64S model I bought in the 90's. The difference in tone with the same strings is very subtle, if any (I think the S model might be a little brighter, but it's hard to tell). There are also some minor cosmetic differences. Both, though, when played with flatwounds and a pick, give you that late 60's Beatles tone like on "Paperback Writer," "Rain," and the Sgt Pepper basslines. Mix in some direct-in and you get tone on "Something." Play closer to the tailpiece and you get the tone on "Silly Love Songs," or way further down for "Goodnight Tonight." With roundwounds and treble up a bit and switch on the bridge position you get the Chris Squire sound on Yes and some of the other 70's trebly tones. This is a really versatile, classic rock bass perfect for a classic rock cover band like mine! Just watch it when you're on break between sets because I'm sure a lot of people would like to walk off with it...

my dad has an original 1980 and i love it. it plays like a god. fast neck, and i love the toaster pickups. great for gigs, recording, or just wishing you were sir Paul Himself

The British Invasion was won with this one. The Beatles, Who, Yes and many others used this bass. This instrument faithfully revisits the Rickenbackers finest hour. It is true that this bass sounds like no other. My first bass was a 1972 4001 going through an SVT & two SVT cabinets. After several years of chasing the Chris Squire sound, I moved on to other basses. When Rickenbacker released the Chris Squire model, I got one, and love it. This model has the same pickups as the Chris Squire model and that is the secret to the Rick sound. The toaster model neck pickup has a glassy top end and a clear bottom that goes forever. The horseshoe bridge pickup has more of P bass tone and presence. With rotosound strings it sounds like the bottom end of a Grand Piano. One major plus with this guitar is it does not have binding around the fretboard. Using round wound strings will eat through the frets quickly, and with the models that do have binding, it is very expensive to replace the frets as it is a major surgery. The bridge on these things is a very poor design, however it will stay in tune once you get the intonation correct. The paint job on all the Rickenbackers is superb. If you want the classic english sound then this is the guitar is a must have. It is pricey but Ricks do continually go up in value... as a Ferrari does. But be warned it is a finicky instrument... if you are traveling, and putting hard miles on your guitar... go for a tank like a G&L  

Been in the business for 42 yrs. love the new 2009 4003 rics.  thicker neck adds to tone, and body color is darker i beleive.  tone is all ricy love the highs and blow your head off lows...