I often wondered why they call the 4001V63 a 63.

You don't really see any pre-'64 4001S's.

Did Ric base the model on a '63 in their museum?

According to the Smith book, there were two 4001S's made in '61.

We all know the Smith numbers are incomplete.

Even so, I would imagine that no more than a handfull were made before '64.

An actual 4001S from '63 is extremely rare,but the reissue was based on what the original would have been from that year.I believe the only difference was the truss rod system that allowed round wounds instead of flats.

Can I order a new V63?

Sorry for digging out,this old thread.
But I also have a question .

I always asked me why a V63 have no 3rd cap .

Is it right,that ALL 4001 had the 3rd cap ( including RM1999 and 4001S )?
If YES,so why do the V63 have none ?

This question has been bothering me for some time.
Anyone can say something more about that ?

Hi I just ran across this post. I know 10 years later I have a '75 4001 and bought all the guts for a V63 re-issue right from Rickenbacker,back in the '90's,including a. complete V63 wiring harness.it has 2- .047k caps on 500k pots. what took me by surprise was that the re-issue toaster neck p/u tops out at 11.9k and the horseshoe bridge tops out at a whopping 15.4k.extremely hot pick ups !!.I had to have the horseshoe pick up re-wound, that uses 43 gauge wire. This bass sounds incredible and plays like butter. the reason I did this was because I had picked up a gutted body and neck, just had the tailpiece,trussrod cover and a few other parts including the jack plate with the serial #showing it was a '75.After 10 years you probably dont give a shit, I just ran across the post when I had the bass apart right next to me..Maybe it will help someone out