Is this Burgundy?

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:56 am

Here's a 1976 3001 and it looks like Red. But it's too early for Red or Ruby. Any thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-Rickenbacker-model-3001-bass_W0QQitemZ270110164274QQihZ017QQcategoryZ41439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:02 am

From this photo I think it could be a refinish. It looks like there is some color on the neck.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:02 am

No Paul, I believe that this might Ruby. It looks like the silver undercoat can be seen in one of the close ups. A refinish is also possible.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:04 am

Or maybe not (a refin)?

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:07 am

I say Refin...

Ruby was not out until 1980 and red was well after that..

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:17 am

I concur with you Dave, with regard to the date typically associated with the introduction of Ruby.

These dates are approximate, however, and I would not be surprised if Ruby emerged sooner. Whether that would be four years sooner, is a very good question. I confess that I have never seen a 3001 in Ruby. Also, the natural finished headstock also argues for a refinish.

At first glance, my impression was Ruby. Let the sleuthing begin!

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:23 am

It is a refin

Pretty color, though, for a 3K1! Red automotive enamel....

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:25 am

I'd say refinish. Look at the orange peel....I've never seen a factory Ric look like that.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:38 am

I agree that it's a refin. And it is not ruby--that looks like light gray automotive primer in the cracks in the shot above. Ruby is deeper than this, with metallic highlights.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:38 am

Funny you mentioned the auto primer Paul..I know more than a few folks who've taken their guitars to auto body friends to have them refinished.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:05 am

...and I've refinished quite a few Ricks that formerly had car paint jobs, too!

You can kind of spot the signs; among them thick gray primer (lacquer or enamel), bondo filling cracks (although I know of at least one well-known guitar emporium whose "restoration shop" uses bondo rather liberally~~~~), crack repair with fiberglas cloth, final coat not being rubbed out, no clearcoat.

But there are also car painters who can distinguish between a fender and a Fender (or Rickenbacker), too.

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:15 am

And vintage guys like us who know the difference between a Studebacker and a Rickenbacker too

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:43 am

I've seen that bass before...

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:44 am

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:34 am

Good one Dave.