Question

[jdogric12]

Yeah, no need to worry if you have someone do it right. I have pics my guy took while doing mine if you want them.

[henry5]

I think the 1/2 inch toaster is the most important part of the classic Rick sound, for me.

Ditto! Same with right up against the end of the neck.

Yep, my 4004 sounded great too, although obviously that wasn’t a toaster.

[henry5]

I think the 1/2 inch toaster is the most important part of the classic Rick sound, for me.

Ditto! Same with right up against the end of the neck.

I wish you guys felt otherwise. That is a very hardcore mod and hard for me to swallow. Although I do remember turning the screws into the body to set a Bigsby B5 in place on a 325c58. That feeling the instant before the event is never pleasant.

Thing is, it’s only our opinion. Others may disagree. It all depends what you’re after.

[jps]

Eh, it's only wood!
I've got maple trees growing in my front yard.

I got some in my back yard!

[ricosound]

I think it's a router.

I don’t know a single person who owns a piece of kit like that!

Most don't, but my employer does!! This photo is from an after hours "government" project session. And yes it is a knee mill like a Bridgeport using a normal 2-flute wood router bit. Normally a router bit runs >20K RPM and all I could get out of this setup was 2250 RPM so I had to be mindful of chipping. Being careful of my feeds and speeds I got pretty decent results.

Not that any of this matters WRT Rickenbackers nor is it equipment necessary for this mod, however it was a fun easy way to control depth and straightness of this cut. Most normal people just jig up using a Dremel or portable router. I've never been accused of being "normal people".

You do have to make a cut like this to clear the pickup when moving 1/2" closer to the neck for vintage placement.

[Guzzitd63]

... it is a knee mill like a Bridgeport using a normal 2-flute wood router bit. Normally a router bit runs >20K RPM and all I could get out of this setup was 2250 RPM so I had to be mindful of chipping. Being careful of my feeds and speeds I got pretty decent results.

Not that any of this matters WRT Rickenbackers nor is it equipment necessary for this mod, however it was a fun easy way to control depth and straightness of this cut.

Hey Ricosound, I think its a great idea. I wish my boss would let me work on stuff like that. Its a great way to keep everything square and dial in locations more precisely than using a tape measure or rule. I'm curious - how do you think a super-sharp (new out of box) carbide 6-flute end mill would do at that low SFM? Or would I want a 2-flute? The number of flutes usually only relate to feed-rate, correct? (chip-load and all that.)

[knavel]

Thing is, it’s only our opinion. Others may disagree. It all depends what you’re after.

Of course I like the look of the 1/2" better; but I have to believe that much of the thinking behind why Rickenbacker changed the location to 1'' is to address stability issues suffered by 60s basses. There is a lot of tension from those strings.

[ricosound]

... it is a knee mill like a Bridgeport using a normal 2-flute wood router bit. Normally a router bit runs >20K RPM and all I could get out of this setup was 2250 RPM so I had to be mindful of chipping. Being careful of my feeds and speeds I got pretty decent results.

Not that any of this matters WRT Rickenbackers nor is it equipment necessary for this mod, however it was a fun easy way to control depth and straightness of this cut.

Hey Ricosound, I think its a great idea. I wish my boss would let me work on stuff like that. Its a great way to keep everything square and dial in locations more precisely than using a tape measure or rule. I'm curious - how do you think a super-sharp (new out of box) carbide 6-flute end mill would do at that low SFM? Or would I want a 2-flute? The number of flutes usually only relate to feed-rate, correct? (chip-load and all that.)

Might not clear the chips and just end up tearing the wood or building too much heat (burn wood/paint).

[ricosound]

Ta Da!! All finished 4003s V63 conversion.

[clasbas]

Great looking bass!

[jdogric12]

Cool!

[jps]

Good job.

Now, how about that plexi finger rest?

[jdogric12]

I knew something was missing but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

[bassduke49]

I knew something was missing but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Ba dum bump!

[thx1955]

I knew something was missing but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Ba dum bump!

The reason you couldn't put your finger on it is; It's a thumb rest