Restore or leave as is?

[lewie2792]

Greetings:
While I've been a member for sometime, I have not actually been a current owner of Ric until now. (Used a 1967 330 for 20+ years and then sold it) My son just presented me with a battered but very playable 330 - 12 on permanent loan until I retire from live performances. I am a performing musician, (weekend warrior) and certainly can't wait to get it on the job.

While this might be a silly question, would the value of the piece be enhanced by having cosmetics professionally repaired? Or, should I just leave it alone. Lots of minor dings and dangs and the black finish on the body is faded. The fret board varnish is peeling some. We have one of the best luthiers in the midwest just two miles away.

I would value your opinions and will post picks later.

Best regards,
John Lewis

[jingle_jangle]

Advice?

You don't mention the year of this 330/12, but if older, it is a collector's guitar and you are not a collector, so enjoy playing it virtually worry-free. If it's a newer instrument, the cost to properly restore it would not be a viable economic proposition.

The value probably will take a hit unless it's properly restored by a Rick specialist, using Rick materials and methods. Yer average luthier would be out of his element with this sort of project.


Leave it alone.

[jdogric12]

Welcome John! What year is it? All original parts? What finish? What color trim (black/black or chrome/white)?

[doctorwho]

Welcome, John!

As mentioned above, the date of manufacture (which is obtained from the serial number) is needed for perspective.

[paologregorio]

If it's one of the 24 fret models, play it until all the finish wears off, then have it refinished, or upgraded with some fancy, Rick style custom touches. I went to the extreme and had a JG 330 converted to a Blue Boy 360 WB with vintage tuners, toasters, Full Width triangle inlays, and Checkered binding, but that's because I'm a WB nut!

If it's one of the older, 21 fret models, handle it with care and keep it original.

[collin]

If it's one of the older, 21 fret models, handle it with care and keep it original.

+1 Leave it be (if 21 frets..)

[lewie2792]

Thanks all for the feedback! Great info.
It is a 1981 very basic 330-12 equipped with the high gain pick ups. No Rickosound, no alterations. It is black with white pick guard, truss cover. She also has some worn frets (the two just below the nut). I am impressed how good it sounds unplugged! Having put 3 kids through college, I never thought I'd see the day when I would ever have one. While it appears that it is not a candidate for restoration from an economic standpoint, it is a crime to leave any Ric in a somewhat shabby condition IMHO.

Regards,John

[winston]

I am on the leave it alone bandwagon as well. After you have worn it out some more and given it a few more "caresses" on stage you will no doubt find yourself in agreement.

[kiramdear]

John, if you can post a picture or two of your 330/12 it would help us to get a clear idea of the condition. Then we could start to distinguish "shabby" from "well-loved". Maybe a couple of small touch-ups would change a damaged look into a well-worn patina. It's hard to guess without a photo reference, though.

[Rickygirl]

Hi John

Even if it is faded and worn, it is amazing how well they can come up with some attention. You may have already done this, but taking it apart and careful cleaning and all over polish may well still make it look fantastic, despite it's battered appearance. I would leave it as is and just care for it from now on.

I don't mean to sound like you don't know this, I was just trying to say I like battered guitars with a "now looked after" smug expression.

......and yes, I know they are just bits of wood, plastic and metal!!

[scotty]

+1 to what my mate Sarah says!

[whojamfan]

Scratch X and Zymol can work wonders.

[Rickygirl]

+1 to what my mate Sarah says!

[jps]

...I like battered guitars with a "now looked after" smug expression.

How about guys?

[paologregorio]

There's always the Lichtenstein Pop Art custom finish option...