Need help w/ Electro ES-16 restoration

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:25 am

Howdy All,
I need help in rescuing a 60's Electro from some butcher shop "hot-rodding." Basically the only original things left are the body/neck and TRC, but it looks like I can bring it back if I can find the parts.
I figure I can get a toaster pu (is that what they used?) and have a pickguard made, but the bridge will be the tough part.
Does anyone have one or know of a source?
Thanks!

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:28 am

I can make you a pickguard, the bridge and base plate will be a challenge, let me ask someone who has access to parts like this...

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:03 am

Not bad for $300 Chris

You should be able to source all the parts here really easily.

Post some before and after pics when you can.

Best of luck!

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:39 am

How did you know it was $300?
Are you watching me?
Can you see me right now?
Help!

8mileshigh · Post by **8mileshigh** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:14 am

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:38 am

I have a mint original ES-16 if you need any reference material, Chris.

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:01 pm

Yes, Paul, I absolutely do.
I don't know the wiring scheme, pot/cap values, or even what the bridge looks like. I may also need a good picture (or tracing if you have it) of the pickguard to make a new one.
I'll take whatever you have as far as that stuff goes!
You could email directly if you like.
Thanksamillion!

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:57 pm

Here are some before pics.... seems to be a set neck version, no?
A toaster is on order. I still need a bridge, pickguard, electronics & tuners...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:35 pm

The lengths some player go through to "improve" an already excellent product is shocking.

We'll get it squared away. Let me get mine disassembled and I'll get you some pics and patterns.

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:41 am

That would be great, Paul, thanks!

The guy I bought it from said he picked it up from a wasted punker girl who took it in to have some work done "and this is how it came back." The Bartolini pickup has such strong magnets that tuning & intonation are actually impossible!

I think for a bridge I'll use Winfield Vintage's compensated tailpiece and a standard Rick bridge. (The bridge is on its way.)

There are some folks locally who can make me a pickguard based on your tracing but adapted to cover some of the extra holes, etc.

What I could really use help with are pot & cap values and a wiring diagram so I can get to work on that....

Cheers!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:19 am

A properly-shaped replacement guard should cover the holes that I can see there, Chris.

As for a schematic:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19506.pdf

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:51 pm

Does anyone have a pictorial wiring diagram for this guitar? (It's the same as a 420, 1000, 900 & ES-17.)

I have the schematic (thanks, Paul), but I'm having trouble getting the wiring right...
Never was much with schematics!

Other Progress Report: Winfield tailpiece installed, bridge should arrive tomorrow, nut on order, knobs on order, tuners on order, having fun!

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:57 pm

All right, for those who are interested, the guitar's about 90% back to spec. The last step is to change the tuners, which are on order from Allparts (slow, slow, slow). Once that's done I'll post some after photos.

I just picked it up from having the pickguard made today. I've played it a bit and it's a fabulous guitar! (No surprises there.)

Next item: Does anyone know where to get a case that'll fit this little baby?

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:23 am

My baby is almost done and I love it! I was just hoping for one last bit of advisement before I continue:

I did the ScratchX/Zymol treatment to the body and it's fantastic, but there are some cracks/chips/gaps in the varnish on the fretboard that I'd like to address before I do the neck ("bare" wood is showing in some).

1)After looking through various posts on the site, it seems like it might be wise to use Watco's Danish Oil on the fretboard to clean, polish & fill gaps... Is this a good idea and if so should I use the ScratchX &/or Zymol after this?

2)I was also thinking of hitting the cracks with a little shellac or clear nail polish to seal them-- Do you think this is wise, and should I do it before or after the Danish Oil/ScratchX &/or Zymol?

I'm not overly concerned with cosmetics, I mostly want to make sure the cracks don't get worse and to protect the neck & fretboard as a whole.

Any advice will be heeded and greatly appreciated!

chrisb · Post by **chrisb** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:55 pm

OK it's done! I know my touch ups aren't perfect, but I'm not denying what it's been through (I think of 'em as battle scars). And just FYI, it fits like a glove in the '80s 320 case I got from RIC.

Many thanks to those who helped, especially Paul W and CB Hill Guitars in Brea, CA.

Here are some pics:

Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Need help w/ Electro ES-16 restoration

Need help w/ Electro ES-16 restoration

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Re: Need help w/ Electro ES-16 restoration

Re: Need help w/ Electro ES-16 restoration