1965 Rickenbacker 950 Restoration

[remstar]

If this is in the wrong place please move it.

Yes this is the guitar-murph one

http://my.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbay&gbh=1

Well, she's mine!!!

Fresh from the NJ Butcher

My first rickenbacker.

A while back I had decided to get either a 3/4 scale or a 12 but the prices deterred me. But I finally got a rick body for 500 and the restoration should be about 1k. Not bad for a vintage short scale. Actually these are probably the best deal for a SS if you don't have the money.

I was thinking of doing a somewhat faithfull resto, since the thing is butchered I figured I'd have some fun.

How about Gold TRC, 2 toasters, stove top knobs and a bigsby.....(only semi joking)

Thanks Guys for all your help (Its was free too)

Peace

rem

[leftybass]

There are more of the original parts for this still on ebay, keep buying..!! Tuners, p/guard etc....

Congrats.

[jingle_jangle]

Congrats! I think the stove knobs and Bigsby are a bit OTT, but at least the knobs are reversible...You're gonna discover when this one is done that it's one hot little player, regardless of the pickup complement you choose to go with. These little guys are simply HUGE FUN!!!

[remstar]

Thanks, What should I do to cover the finish chips on the guitar? I'm only looking to cover the maple wood thats been exposed, What would you suggest to reapir the JG finish. I think these are Polyutherane right? So would the old clear nail polish trick with the black paint coverup work?

Thanks

[jingle_jangle]

Just use black nail polish or hobby enamel. You've got the old trick backwards...should be black paint with clear nail polish over...

[remstar]

Hmm, would the black nail polish be better and less time consuming or should I go with the paint and clear nail polish? They both do the same job right? So does it matter?


Thanks

[admin]

Paul, congratulations. We eagerly await the photos of the restoration.

[doctorwho]

Congrats!...You're gonna discover when this one is done that it's one hot little player, regardless of the pickup complement you choose to go with. These little guys are simply HUGE FUN!!!

+1

[remstar]

Paul, congratulations. We eagerly await the photos of the restoration.

Thanks, feel free to call me rem as that is what my friends call me and is part of my actual name.

I have throughly inspected the guitar and it seems on the 1st fret there is some JG finish. I highly doubt it came from RIC that way so since there is question to originality and the fact that some spots are quite badly in need of paint (below the PG)I am going ahead with the move to refinish it. The reason why this bothers me is that I don't have the original pickguard to cover up all that wood (Nor would I wish to )And may have a smaller, semi-lennon, 325 single guard inspired, made by myself.Now just to be clear this isn't going to be a home job I got a friend who has an industrial paint shop who paints cars and boats and would be more than happy to let me use his facilities. (We both have background in painting).

As for the colour I would like to go rick inspired with a 2 tone brown but with a twist perhaps like clearcoat maple neck

Peace, Rem

[admin]

Great Rem. Thanks for the photo. Let the magic begin.

[remstar]

Regarding the tuners would I need the long-shaft 1.44 inches or the short shaft 1.34 inches? I tried measuring it but it was too close to call.

Regarding the strap bolts, would the ones from the c58 at the boutique be a drop in replacement? or would one of the others be better?

Now, for the output of the toastes........ I know this is a very debated topic but, what ohms should I be looking for to get that 'vintage' sound? I know the c58's are about 3.5k and are ver low output and from the boutique they are offered at 7.4k and on the v59 reissues and so on 12k and beyond! I'm not sure about placement either maybe a hotter one in the neck and have a bridge at about 5.5? i know this is subjective, but opinions are apreciated.

So for all these demands, its only the start

If I can i would prefer to purchase as many parts as I could from you guys instead of the boutique. Emptying your parts bins instead of the world's resources.....

Thanks again

[remstar]

More questions:

Would the repaint TRC here be a direct drop in? I asked for a tracing outline, but no response. [urlhttp://www.rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=406618][/url]

Which wiring harness would I be looking for a 2 volume 2 tone and 3 way switch.

Also what are rick pickguards made out of acrylic? If so, where do you think I could get blanks....

Thanks again

rem

[collin]

The reason why this bothers me is that I don't have the original pickguard to cover up all that wood (Nor would I wish to )And may have a smaller, semi-lennon, 325 single guard inspired, made by myself.

Rem, trying to follow along - what are you planning on here?

A 325 pickguard would absolutely not work on your guitar. The open routed areas, pickup routes...are all covered by that big white pickguard. There's really no way around it, short of making a new body entirely.

[remstar]

The reason why this bothers me is that I don't have the original pickguard to cover up all that wood (Nor would I wish to )And may have a smaller, semi-lennon, 325 single guard inspired, made by myself.

Rem, trying to follow along - what are you planning on here?

A 325 pickguard would absolutely not work on your guitar. The open routed areas, pickup routes...are all covered by that big white pickguard. There's really no way around it, short of making a new body entirely.

Your right, I hadn't taken a close enough look at it, but the pickups are set in and not mounted. Im either going to have to custom make one or something, just a shame that i have to cover up all that wood once I refin it.

[jingle_jangle]

There's always the opportunity to pick up another Rickenbacker that shows more wood (so to speak ) next week or so...

Original guards may not be available online, but PM me if you want a correct guard.

You mention the "New Jersey butcher". With all due respect, don't compound his error in parting this out by changing it in any irreversible way. The wood on these was usually quite plain...not too much character, so covering it up with the strong graphic element of a guard is part and parcel of the style, character, and DNA of these early solidbodies.

The fact that you began thinking about a 330/360 type guard without looking carefully at the body (because it's obviously not compatible), gives me an impression that you might be impulsive with regard to rebuilding this instrument. Again, Paul, with all due respect, consider the history of this guitar and remember that history only goes one way--things get older and as they age, the nice ones get rarer (MUCH rarer), too.

I've restored close to a dozen of these beauties (TWO from the NJB) and would not dream of irreversibly modding one. There are ten in my own collection, only 2 of which I didn't re-do. Here are some photos to fire you up about how sweet these can be...

First off, a rare lefty from 1957 (sort of the beginning of this style...)



Next, a '67 very similar to yours in factory JG. This one came from the NJB.

In progress:


(Just look at that fretboard wood!!!)

...and finished:



Another '67--this one a standard-scale 425 with factory vibrato. This one is stock, but has black hardware and pickguard, all reversible:



Finally, here's a lovely late ES-16 in FG, similar body shape to yours, in FG. This one is 100% original:



So, get acquainted with that big piece of acrylic and learn to appreciate it. There's plenty of time to find one of the "traditional" Ricks--they're always available!