Right 2 Left Conversion

bluepeach · Post by **bluepeach** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:06 pm

I thought some of you might find this interesting/educational. Others might be made sick. ;>)

I've been looking for a left handed 4000 for a long time. As you know, they rarely show up. So I decided to find a thrashed righty and do a conversion. The bass I found (from a forum member) wasn't thrashed, but it wasn't a collectors item either. The body was in better shape than I had hoped for, so I hesitated for months before doing anything drastic to it. I finally decided to "GO FOR IT" (to quote another forum member).

bluepeach · Post by **bluepeach** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:13 pm

I tried for 2 days to get the neck out of the joint without a saw using heat, hot knife...everthing, trying to make this project somewhat reversable. It started to take a toll on the neck and the neck was what I wanted so out came the band saw. With much guilt and hesitation the neck came off.

At this point not one, but two lefty 4000's came up on ebay. Isn't that the way it goes.

bluepeach · Post by **bluepeach** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:21 pm

This is where I am with the project right now. I'm trying to decide on a color. I will probably go with one of the original solid colors for a 1972. I love the transparent colors but there is some screw hole repairs in the headstock and some natural flaws in the body. I thick Rickenbacker would have painted this one solid.

What colors where available for a 72? What do you guys think?

If there is interest, I'll keep posting updates here as I progress.

henny · Post by **henny** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:38 pm

At this point not one, but two lefty 4000's came up on ebay. Isn't that the way it goes.

Ha!

Hey - well done for your efforts, cool-looking bass!

As for colours... A 72... 4000....

...AZUREGLO!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:06 pm

I've never heard of a 72 Azureglo, I've seen the big three, jetglo, fireglo and mapleglo. They may have made them though.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:18 pm

Dan....great work so far.....certainly keep us updated !

As far as color....it isn't original anyway so just go with your favorite and be 100% satisfied

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:35 pm

I only posted that because I thought he wanted a 72 color.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:08 pm

Bob....my post was in no way a reference to yours. I know he asked for '72 colors but my point was to just paint it whatever color is his favorite since it is a custom job anyway. JMO.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:08 pm

autumnglo!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:50 pm

Mike Parks' web site has a Finish Time Line:

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricinfo.htm#fin

According to the info there, besides the "big three" (FG, MG, JG), Burgundy, Azureglo, and White were colors avaialble in 1972. Walnut (gloss version of Autumnglo) started in 1973.

henny · Post by **henny** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:20 am

Yup, AZG was a biggy in 1972, along with BG

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:35 am

You can't go wrong with blue... I second Henny's suggestion!

bluepeach · Post by **bluepeach** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:59 am

Thanks for the link to the color chart Gary. That will be very helpful.

I decided this was a good time to re-do the frets so out they came. Does anyone know the process Ric goes thru on finishing the fretboard?
Do they spray over the frets and then dress the frets after? Tape the frets then spray?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:28 am

fretless!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:55 pm

Dan, nicely done. Way more guts than I have, and you've out-modded Jeff Rath, which is a feat.

I also love the AzureGlo / Blue color. Maybe a BBR?