1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Setup, repair and restoration of Rickenbacker Instruments

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Dom
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1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by Dom »

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So this may not be the easiest way to get one's dream 350 but I'm going to make it happen. I've wanted a 24 fret FIreglo 350 bound with checkerboard purfling since I was 13 and this guitar was brand new. I bought what you see from Len earlier in the week and was lucky enough to buy some checkerboard & binding just yesterday. No turning back now, the expensive flammable celluloid is on the way. I'll be using 2 fiber top HiGains from my '88WB and an HB-1 at the bridge. I've done various guitar mods, rebuilds, rewires, a couple refinishes & even built my own guitar but never something as in depth and detailed as I intend to do with this project.

It requires (obviously) a neck transplant. I recently traded Kenny my 1992 trans purple 330/12 for a 1991 JG 330. The JG 330 plays perfectly well but needs a refin. Seeing a 350 body from the same year up for grabs I knew what had to happen. The JG 330 will donate its neck. How could I desecrate a 330 like that? What to do? It took no time to figure that out. Time to also build a 30" scale bass neck for the 330. I have never been able to play full size basses all night without fatigue. So yes, this is not one major project but two. And yes, I am probably insane. More on that 330 bass project later.

Step 1 is stripping the 350's body with aircraft remover this week. Once the aircraft have all been ousted. I will decide if Amber Fireglo is in my future or I have to go solid, possibly turquoise like my other 330. Next is removing the back with a careful application of heat to soften the glue. Then I have to reglue the back together with titebond as it has split down the centerline. Same with the front between the pickup routes. Once this is all repaired I will make the stairstep on the front for the checkerboard purfling & binding. No rear binding, f hole or slash but I may have enough CB for the headstock. Progress will not be swift as this is going to take time to get right but I will update as I progress. Cheers for now!
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kiramdear
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by kiramdear »

That sounds great, Dom. Do keep us posted. :)
All I wanna do is rock!
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kennyhowes
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

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:)
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LenMinNJ
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by LenMinNJ »

Thanks, Dom. I can't wait to see it as it progresses.
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deaconblues
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by deaconblues »

Cool project. Looking forward.
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by Foxless »

Great looking project Dom...looking forward to seeing plenty of pictures along the way!!
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8mileshigher
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1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by 8mileshigher »

Cool project(s) you have going there, Dom !!
Looking forward to seeing step-by-step pictures :)
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johnallg
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by johnallg »

Also interested in the 330B project! Make sure you post about that one when it's turn comes up.
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scotty
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by scotty »

Yes looking forward to seeing the pics also interested in the 330 bass !
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johnallg
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by johnallg »

scotty wrote:Yes looking forward to seeing the pics also interested in the 330 bass !
We need a popcorn emoticon on the RRF. :)
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Hotzenplotz
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by Hotzenplotz »

Eat this!:

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Dom
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by Dom »

Paint comes off Thursday! Nom mom nom!
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johnallg
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by johnallg »

What color will the 350 end up with?
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Dom
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by Dom »

johnallg wrote:What color will the 350 end up with?
If the wood looks good then amber fireglo since I've never seen one that way with checkerboard. I want it to have a nice gradual burst rather than a defined line. I see "Mglo" written on the inside of the control cavity which is a good sign. If not then I'm leaning towards turquoise. I also decided to keep the R tailpiece rather than a vibrato since I use the controls a bunch & want nothing in the way...they're a heck of a lot more close to the strings than the 330/370's I'm used to.

Speaking of controls the 3 way will work the neck & mid & the bridge HB will be on a dedicated vol since that needs a 500k value. The neck & mid will both share a volume knob,.022 cap and tone knob and be on the blend. If I like how the phase switching goes on the 370wb I may add that on two push pulls. I may have the volumes up top as I can roll the neck/mid off & the bridge on with the side of my palm in one motion. This gives me 7 pickup combos plus 2 OOPs & tap.
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johnallg
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Re: 1991 Rickenbacker 350 complete rebuild

Post by johnallg »

Mglo points to nice wood, but the black might be in the grain and make the AFG not possible. Turquoise is always nice.
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