Question about finishes

Modern years of Rickenbacker Guitars from 1984 to the present

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akpasta
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Question about finishes

Post by akpasta »

I'm in the market for a Fireglo 330 from around the time when they had vintage style cases - 1980 - 1991 or so. I see some on reverb from time to time, but one thing I notice is sometimes they look almost aged, like the finish is more matte or something, almost like an actual vinage rick, whereas others look more glossy and new and kinda plasticy. I prefer the more aged looking ones but they're kinda few and far between... and tend to come with more wear in general and sometimes needing a refret. What makes them look that way and can I do it myself?

Thanks!
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by sloop_john_b »

Any chance you can post some specific examples?
akpasta
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by akpasta »

A lot of them were reverb ads that are long gone. But I think most folks on this board will know what I'm talking about. A brand new rickenbacker is super glossy and shiny, whereas proper "vintage" ones and even just older ones are more matte, and that's what I want.

I'm curious about these more matte ones from the 80s and early 90s. Did they come that way, or did it become matte through some aging process?
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Ontario_RIC_fan
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by Ontario_RIC_fan »

No you can't do it yourself!

Older Rickenbackers use Conversion Varnish. Which requires expertise and equipment beyond but a handful of specialists. (Do a search on this site for "Conversion Varnish" and there will be lots of results)...

Newer RICs use a UV cured finish.
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
akpasta
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by akpasta »

Here I’ll give you a couple examples.

This is an 88 330 for sale on reverb. Look at that checking!
4C338490-77E0-47FA-A6CD-CE2103A51AF1.jpeg
Here’s another one, an 89. Look at that gloss.
7DE19F33-61D9-42A5-9200-45AE74D93A31.jpeg

How have these guitars aged so differently??
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collin
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by collin »

Checking like that is very atypical for Rickenbackers, and indicates this guitar was subjected to quite drastic changes in temperature and humidity.

Unlike lacquer, a Rickenbacker’s Conversion Varnish finish is a two-part catalyzed system (meaning it needs a hardener to cure) and produces a very rugged finish that is able to expand and contract without checking like that.

Even if you look at photos of most Ricks from the 1960s, it’s very uncommon to find much checking and certainly not the deep checking normally associated with nitrocellulose lacquer (if you do, it’s a pretty good sign the guitar has been oversprayed with lacquer).

The color on CV finishes fades regardless of checking if it’s been exposed to direct sunlight. The ‘88 in this example definitely looked like the ‘89 at one point and faded/ambered to what you see now.
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collin
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by collin »

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:18 am Newer RICs use a UV cured finish.
No, they have not used UV finish for some time, according to the factory. That was used for only a brief period.

I think it’s back to CV or some other finish system.
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Ontario_RIC_fan
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by Ontario_RIC_fan »

Good to know Collin.

I stand corrected.
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
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Ontario_RIC_fan
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by Ontario_RIC_fan »

From personal experience, the Rickenbacker that I own with the clear coat checking, is my JG 610 from January 1991.

It's finish has many cracks in the clear coat, although if you look at the guitar from more than eight feet away, I doubt you would notice it. It still covers the wood.

This image from the register entry shows it best. Lines, or cracks in the finish.
https://www.rickresource.com/register/u ... llsize.jpg

Perhaps it is just a late 80s/early 90s thing? Perhaps it was the temperature differential issue, bringing in a frozen instrument, and suddenly exposing it to room temperature?
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
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collin
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by collin »

Checking certainly can happen on CV finishes in some cases (not sure about the 80s/90s thing) but it’s rare and the checking is very fine and irregular compared to a lacquer finish.

It would certainly require exposure to significant temperature differences to cause checking in CV.
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Ratwax
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Re: Question about finishes

Post by Ratwax »

I can vouch for CV checking if it's exposed to extreme temperatures, and it is only in the top layer and fine. My 620/12 'Ruby' was stored for a number of years in an uncontrolled environment (Australian summer!). I was upset when I discovered, however I've become more relaxed over time and see it as honest wear and its badge of honour.
https://www.rickresource.com/register/u ... llsize.jpg
Andrew

1989 620/12,
2003 4003
1986 330
1991 381 V69
1998 650 Dakota
Plus various Squiers and stuff
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