1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
For those of you with long memories my old '64 RM1999 "green monster" had been at Larry Davis's shop and was finally completed last month, as I finally got myself back in some form of order!
This restoration/rebuild was documented in detail on Facebook, but as I know a few of the old school here don't partake I thought I'd share the finished result. The bass had a completely new neck made, (using measurements from a '64 RM1999 that Larry had worked on previously) as the one on the bass had been replaced sometime in the 60's or 70's when it was refinished green. I had really wanted the original fretboard be used here and thanks to Larry's patience and skill here it was. A new upper bout, to correct the poorly Macca sanded version, was also crafted, also using an original '64 spec. The tailpiece area was filled as this had been routed and packed in order to try and keep the bass playable from the reconstructed neck. This was obviously far more involved than my brief overview here, but as you can imagine was a major undertaking.
The period correct FG was then sprayed and all the original hardware and electronics which I thankfully had never changed in over 30+ years of having the bass, was refitted. The end result was a wonderful sounding and looking RM1999 that finally looks like it did back 50+ years ago when it left So Cal!
This restoration/rebuild was documented in detail on Facebook, but as I know a few of the old school here don't partake I thought I'd share the finished result. The bass had a completely new neck made, (using measurements from a '64 RM1999 that Larry had worked on previously) as the one on the bass had been replaced sometime in the 60's or 70's when it was refinished green. I had really wanted the original fretboard be used here and thanks to Larry's patience and skill here it was. A new upper bout, to correct the poorly Macca sanded version, was also crafted, also using an original '64 spec. The tailpiece area was filled as this had been routed and packed in order to try and keep the bass playable from the reconstructed neck. This was obviously far more involved than my brief overview here, but as you can imagine was a major undertaking.
The period correct FG was then sprayed and all the original hardware and electronics which I thankfully had never changed in over 30+ years of having the bass, was refitted. The end result was a wonderful sounding and looking RM1999 that finally looks like it did back 50+ years ago when it left So Cal!
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
It looks superb! Congrats,Andy!
(I did really like the green finish,too. RIC should do a limited run of transgreen 4003's!)
(I did really like the green finish,too. RIC should do a limited run of transgreen 4003's!)
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Wahoo! That's great!
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
This one was a long time in the wigs waiting for its rebirth.
Congrats to you, and Larry, bringing this back from the butcher.
Congrats to you, and Larry, bringing this back from the butcher.
- bassduke49
- Senior Member
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Sah weet!
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
A long 3 years Jeff. Time, I'm glad has passed.jps wrote:This one was a long time in the wigs waiting for its rebirth.
Congrats to you, and Larry, bringing this back from the butcher.
All the praise goes to Larry on this one!
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Wigs = wings!
- chefothefuture
- Advanced Member
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
A long awaited thing of beauty!
Congrats!
Congrats!
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Looks terrific... congrats Andy.
Rickenbacker '64 & '68 4001 basses ♦ Fender Pre-CBS J & P Basses and 1968 Telecaster Bass ♦ Moog Taurus III Bass Pedals ♦ Hiwatt (Hylight) Amplification
"A good bassist determines the direction of any band."- Ron Carter
"A good bassist determines the direction of any band."- Ron Carter
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
I wouldn't have been surprised if I lost a little hair there Jeff! Thankfully all good in the end!jps wrote:Wigs = wings!
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Congratulations Andy. Smart move sending it to Larry Davis. PERFECT JOB!!
- antipodean
- Senior Member
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
That's one sweet bass! Congrats!
"I don't want to sound incredulous but I can't believe it" Rex Mossop
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
Beautiful. love the shading of the fireglo.
"Knowledge is Power"
- squirebass
- Veteran RRF member
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
That was one of the first things I noticed about it -- Beautiful!cheyenne wrote:Beautiful. love the shading of the fireglo.
Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!
congratulations!! it's a beauty!! worth the wait I'd say.
The only thing we can perceive are our perceptions - George Berkeley