1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

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wints
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1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by wints »

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!
38994.jpg
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woodyng
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by woodyng »

It looks superb! Congrats,Andy!
(I did really like the green finish,too. RIC should do a limited run of transgreen 4003's!)
teeder
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by teeder »

Wahoo! That's great!
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jps
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by jps »

This one was a long time in the wigs waiting for its rebirth.

Congrats to you, and Larry, bringing this back from the butcher. 8)
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bassduke49
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by bassduke49 »

Sah weet!
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
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wints
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by wints »

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. 8)
A long 3 years Jeff. Time, I'm glad has passed.

All the praise goes to Larry on this one! 8)
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jps
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by jps »

Wigs = wings! :mrgreen:
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chefothefuture
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by chefothefuture »

A long awaited thing of beauty!
Congrats!
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xsubs
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by xsubs »

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
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wints
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by wints »

jps wrote:Wigs = wings! :mrgreen:
I wouldn't have been surprised if I lost a little hair there Jeff! :lol: Thankfully all good in the end! :D
vincent_gallo
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by vincent_gallo »

Congratulations Andy. Smart move sending it to Larry Davis. PERFECT JOB!!
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antipodean
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by antipodean »

That's one sweet bass! Congrats! :D
"I don't want to sound incredulous but I can't believe it" Rex Mossop
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cheyenne
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by cheyenne »

Beautiful. love the shading of the fireglo.
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squirebass
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by squirebass »

cheyenne wrote:Beautiful. love the shading of the fireglo.
That was one of the first things I noticed about it -- Beautiful!
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ram
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Re: 1964 RM1999 Completed Restoration!

Post by ram »

congratulations!! it's a beauty!! worth the wait I'd say.
The only thing we can perceive are our perceptions - George Berkeley
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