Tourpix

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:30 pm

I'm posting a string of pix I took at the RIC tour on Friday. Enjoy!

Our host and tourguide, John Hall tells us about the automated milling machine as it cuts the chambers and shoulders on a series of 360 bodies. The name on the machine isn't entirely coincidental--German relatives, they figure.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:44 pm

More. Much more.

Here's a stack of 4003 fingerboards before (right) and after being radiused. Note the position marker material is poured into routed cavities, then ground smooth with the wood.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:59 pm

A stack of 4003 necks waiting to be further shaped.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:01 pm

A buncha 4003s getting ready for more work. Note the fretless up front.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:03 pm

Here's the binding being applied. Note that it goes on before the wings are added to the neck.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:13 pm

Each assembled body/neck is carefully sanded before the finish goes on.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:16 pm

Next, the fun part: paint. Here's the master painter applying Fireglo (what else, Jim Glen?). Painters start learning the craft by applying sealers, then a time as clear coaters, then when they are experienced enough, the color painters.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:18 pm

Next, the binding is trimmed down before the clear coats go on.

desertgoldenboy · Post by **desertgoldenboy** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:22 pm

Paul, GREAT PHOTOS! Wish I was there to see all that! Keep 'em coming!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:25 pm

Host John Hall and (damn, I'm terrible with names) the daughter of Gary Clauson's friend looks on as one of the techs trims the binding on a Jetglo 4003. Anyway, I do remember that that was her 13th birthday! What a gift, eh? Getting a tour of the RIC factory!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:27 pm

Yeah, there's more! Here's John showing the "glo" of a Fireglo finish on a guitar.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:29 pm

Here's the next generation; Ben Hall, inspecting progress on a guitar.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:32 pm

Here's one ready to be strung up. In the background is Joey Vasco (Rickenbrother). His wife said he got little sleep the night before. A true fan!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:34 pm

The next step is stringing, tuning, intonating, done by this fellow in a special sound room.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:39 pm

Here's the fellow who is currently carving the 4004LK "Lemmy" (Killmister) basses. He's got about a dozen to go and the edition will be completed. Those who have been waiting for years, will wait only a bit longer. The Lemmy he and John are showing is actually Lemmy's bass, in for a bit of service. Note it's vestigal pickup cover to serve as a hand rest. This fellow (again, names) specializes in producing Rickenbacker acoustic guitars, which have been on hold as he completes the Lemmies.