'64 4001 pawn shop project

[daves_ale]

Found this a couple of decades ago in a pawn shop for $200. 1964 4001. DE 557 on the jack plate. Pick guard split in two, DiMazzio humbucker in the neck position, 70s neck pickup in bridge position, poor black paint job, no case; pretty much a mess. So I'd like to get the collective hive mind in on this and help me figure out where to go with this. I uncovered a fair amount of the checkerboard binding years ago, in doing so it looks like this was originally a white bass due to the scratch mark (or sanding mark that I uncovered while removing some of the black paint.
Question 1: did the white rics have a pearl tint to them? Cause this does. It appears that this was sanded down before the poor overspray (originally all the checkerboard binding was covered in paint), hardware removed and then a real bad black paint job applied. The white paint underneath is incredibly thin. If indeed the old white rics has some pearl to it id like to keep it. When I tried using mineral spirits to remove the black, it took the pearl with it. I've since been slowly scaling the paint off but it's taking some of the white with it.
Question 2: Perhaps this was a mapleglo originally? On the neck where worn it's pretty much maple with no sign of white. I'd love to go MG with that binding. It would look great. Or I'd be happy with a white beater.
I picked up a new toaster and bridge PU from Ric and need a new pick guard, the old one buzzes badly.thought on what to do with the pots would be appreciated. Check out the pics and let me know what you think.

[aceonbass]

That bass is easily worth 10 times what you paid for it as it sits now. you've got the hardest to obtain part, which is the tailpiece/bridge assembly. Although you've got the original volume pots in there, the rest is not original. I stock NOS original 60's electronics for this and acrylic to make a new guard if you're interested. Current bass Toasters and reissue Horseshoe pickups would be a good choice till original parts can be found. Never seen pearl anything on any RIC ever. Larry Davis is your man to restore this bass though, as he's done several.

[daves_ale]

Thanks man, let me know what new electronics ( minus vol pots) would run and also the PG. I've heard good things about Pickguardian on this forum as well. I have new/current horseshoe and toaster that I acquired from Rickenbacker so I'll see how it sounds when put together. I'm sure I'll love it.

Still looking for input on the paint/finish. I really want to clean this baby up.
Thanks for the reply.

[DriftSpace]

Question 1: did the white rics have a pearl tint to them? Cause this does.

Nope; "white" was just white, with no metallic. From your description -- a thin coat of white -- I'd guess that's primer. RIC did a very small number of white metallic instruments fairly recently, but I think they were all guitars.

Question 2: Perhaps this was a mapleglo originally? On the neck where worn it's pretty much maple with no sign of white.

MapleGlo seems to be the best guess, and would be the easiest in which to refinish; somebody like Larry Davis could just take it down to the wood, seal and clear-coat it, and you'd be set. I'd personally pick something different/unique since it's a refinish anyway (I actually did refinish my RIC bass in pearl white, but it's also not from 1964), though I'm sure the majority opinion here would be to stick with a period-correct finish. Consider waiting to make the final finish decision until it's down to bare wood; the grain pattern will help you decide if you want to leave it exposed, or paint over it. A lot of times a factory will specifically select instruments for opaque or clear finish based upon the attractiveness of the grain pattern after its basic shape is is cut-out. I think white is a good choice (one of my personal favorite RIC colors) or Larry Davis could probably do a period-correct FireGlo.

I'll second Dane's recommendation to send this instrument to Larry Davis for restoration, but I recommend you let Dane build you a wiring harness.

Either way: what an awesome find. Congratulations!

[aceonbass]

You've been PM'd David....

[s4001]

It's a complete refinish so there's no reason not to make it exactly the color you want. Larry's done some pretty impressive custom finishes. let your imagination run wild.

[DriftSpace]

It's a complete refinish so there's no reason not to make it exactly the color you want. Larry's done some pretty impressive custom finishes. let your imagination run wild.

Agreed.

[teeder]

I'll second Dane's recommendation to send this instrument to Larry Davis for restoration, but I recommend you let Dane build you a wiring harness.

^^^^^^ This!!!

[RickyBubba]

Really cool story. You can always do the electronics first and enjoy it, then re-fin when you can!

[wints]

Lovely old find Dave. Glad you held onto her for so long. Very cool to see another '64 Deluxe here.
Send her to Larry like the gang here says...She'll be right at home with my RM1999 there at present, DE554! Larry does a wonderful shade of '64 Fireglo and I'm sure he can do a MG as well. He's the guy!

[daves_ale]

Lovely old find Dave. Glad you held onto her for so long. Very cool to see another '64 Deluxe here.
Send her to Larry like the gang here says...She'll be right at home with my RM1999 there at present, DE554! Larry does a wonderful shade of '64 Fireglo and I'm sure he can do a MG as well. He's the guy!

DE554! Almost twins, must've been on the factory floor at the same time. By trade I work a lot with my hands, including home remodeling, construction, staining wood, etc..and I'm not worried about doing this myself, just want to do it right. Main concern being that I don't want to screw up that sweet checkerboard binding. So what's the best way to remove paint on these old things without doing damage to the binding? And how long can I keep her apart with the tailpiece removed and unstrung? Don't want to screw up the neck.

Thanks again guys for all the thumbs up on this old bass. Yeah, I have held onto her for along long time, including marriage, 2 kids, countless moves, and a divorce! Some things are just worth it.

[aceonbass]

Main concern being that I don't want to screw up that sweet checkerboard binding. So what's the best way to remove paint on these old things without doing damage to the binding? And how long can I keep her apart with the tailpiece removed and unstrung? Don't want to screw up the neck.

As long as the truss rods are completely loose, there's no chance of damaging the neck due to lack of string tension. As far as removing the finish goes, I'd scrape the old finish off with a razor, then sand it the rest of the way with 280 grit. Then send it to larry Davis for a refinish!