Custom carved-top 430 project brainstorming

[kiramdear]

A full on conversion? That would be a strange bird, too. That's a lot more work and cost than the first idea

I'll sleep on it ...

[cjj]

OK, I'll weigh in. I think the idea is "Friggin' Weird".
But in a good way. It's Friggin' Brilliant!

Anyway, I kind of like the first idea better...

[wittyair]

Trompe l'oeil love here! Don't believe I've ever seen it on a guitar, though.

[kiramdear]

On reflection, I'm not crazy about a full-on conversion for this guitar (Combo 850 lust notwithstanding). I wanted to preserve its character. My concept was for a decorative carved surface treatment that would express my imagination and humor but still be well received by an informed Rick fan.

We'll continue to ponder the first idea indeed.

The only conversion I might consider would be from six to twelve string setup.

[robbo63]

I agree - appreciate your 430 for what it is. It's a honky tonk Rick, go with that instead of trying to transform it into something else.

[kiramdear]

I agree - appreciate your 430 for what it is. It's a honky tonk Rick, go with that instead of trying to transform it into something else.

Honky-tonk? Haha, I like it. Well put.

I have another question: Is this body form, as used in this model, the GF models, and the 3XXX series basses, the last radically new solidbody design from Rickenbacker?

[arbiter]

I think the third sketch looks cool! Some of the others im not sure about...will just have to see

[kiramdear]

Graham, I'm with you. The little moon pattern suggests both the Rick inlays and TRCs. And the serpentine look of it is organic and cool.

[scotty]

Id leave it as it is and spend the $ on a paint and give it a Red and black theme.Its your guitar tho Kira just my 2 cents worth.Well thats about 1.35p.

[paologregorio]

Well, it looks like the body shape will fit; it wouldn't be an exact conversion, just the combo 850 body shape with the carved top; the pickups and the Bigsby would stay in the same place. It's just an idea I thought would look cool; I think the Capri style cutaway shape of the horns on the 850 combo look really cool-I'm not that big a fan of the "cresting wave" shape. It would make people do a double take; "hey, it's a...wait, what model Rick is that?!

In any case, have fun with it, it's your guitar.

[kiramdear]

Scotty, good point but after seven years in art school it's impossible for me to just slap a coat of paint on and go have fun. Not that that isn't the perfect solution, mind you, but I have to design every project to death just to justify all that tuition ... Most likely this is all just in fun anyway; with any luck I'll soon be too busy playing music to think about doing it.

Paul, it is a very neat idea and you know I adore the Combo 850. But looking at that neck joint and what's left after the body reshaping, I think the problem-solving is going to get very expensive, on top of doing everything else in a right way. Also it's got a 24 fret neck. I think one of these days I'd rather have PW custom make me a C-850 tribute guitar and not lose the 430 for what she is.

Thanks for playing, everybody. I dunno if anything will come of it but it's fun and interesting to play with the ideas.

[scotty]

Save the heart ache send it back to Paul get it double bound red on Front/back and black in-between the binding? Yeah.

[kiramdear]

Scotty, here's an idea that I always wanted to try. It started not too far from your neck of the woods.



I'm picturing a semi=transparent, dusty look for the graphic.

[collin]

Wow, Kira! How did I miss this thread?

That is certainly an original idea, you've done some serious design work too!

From a strictly aesthetic perspective (which we all know is highly subjective!) I think it would look better without the 450 shape imposed over the top, but rather a carve based on the existing 430 shape, except bring the top part of the curve (of the horns) to points, as in the 381's. This would probably flow the design a little better.

In any case, that is a super cool idea already.

[kiramdear]

Collin, that's just where my thinking was going the last couple of days. I like the part about the points. The mahogany is rather pedestrian looking, let's add a cool graphic... maybe a flamey veneer ... double binding ...