Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My 2004 330 has bubbling near the frets. Is this any long term concern? It does not seem to impact playability.

There is a 4003S for sale locally I am considering that has a similar issue. If it's no major concern, I may get it!

Thank you.

For what it's worth, I also have a 2004 330, and it has some finish lifting at the frets, too. My understanding is that this is normal -- metal, wood, and finish all expand and contract at different rates, so they tend to pull apart over time. You can see a bit of it here and there in the Bacon and Day book, as well as the little poster that comes with Rickenbacker instruments!

Durability-wise, I figure we're no worse off than guitars with rosewood boards that are unfinished in the first place. But aesthetically, it *would* be nicer if they didn't do that at all.

Yep, looks normal.

My 2015 4003FG had the finish lifting from the frets, much worse than that, and with the intercession of the local dealer where I bought it, it went back to Ric for refinishing, so I guess they agreed that it wasn’t right. It still has some, if you look, but nowhere near what it had been.

(N.B.: Along with the refinish came new stickers (which were removed promptly upon its return) and new strings.)

Thank you for confirming! I'm not worried anymore about this.
And I did end up getting a 4003S this week, which fortunately did not have this issue at all.

My 2016 4003 has it if you look close.