Alright, Yous Guys REALLY Better Watch It Now!

[jdawe]

I have essentially the same guitar, except with a white TRC and pickguard. For most of the time I've owned it (since 1983!) I treated it along the lines j-dog proposes. After almost 30 years it wasn't looking so great, so I decided to try the Nu-finish/zymol treatment on it (body only), and liked the results a lot.

[Ivan3000]

Congrats!
Guitars are fun to play (as a bass player) but my guitar skills are primative, and I put bass technique into it.
Hope you have fun playing this!

[rickenbrother]

Now I just need a case for this guitar (came with a gig bag)...and straplocks, gotta have straplocks on all my guitars!

[jps]

Now I just need a case for this guitar (came with a gig bag)...

What's wrong with a gig bag?

...oooOOOUtahere!....................

[electrofaro]

Welcome to the world of real musicians, Joey

[jdawe]

Now I just need a case for this guitar (came with a gig bag)...and straplocks, gotta have straplocks on all my guitars!

I'm not sure RIC ever made a case for these, and if they did they would likely be very hard to fine. When I bought mine (used) it came with a Fender case that works OK but is not a perfect fit (the guitar is slightly too short for the case and will slide around if something isn't put at the end).

I abandoned my plans to put Schaller straplocks on my 430 when I discovered that the stock strap pins are actually bolt threaded, and that the bolt diameter (3/16", IIRC) was too large to find an equivalent bolt that would fit through the small holes on the Schaller. Drilling a larger hole in the Schallers might work, but I couldn't be bothered. If you come up with a better solution please let me know!

[bitzerguy]

Congrats Joey! Nice guitar!!
Now don't be intimidated. These strings are easier to push, but closer together so you can grab more than one at a time, which can be a bit frustrating. Don't worry. These are called "chords" and you'll get used to them.

[bosco64]

Way to go Joey! I've been playing JDog's old Casino every day since I got it last week and I'm having a blast...I just hope my basses didn't hear that!

[ozover50]

NIce one, Joey...... congrats!

Which two strings are you going to remove?

[woodyng]

congrats,Joey! i had a RIC 6 string 30 some years ago,and it was one of the easiest-playing guitars i've owned. I have had a few over the years,but the guitar thing never quite stuck with me,keyboards are my 2ndary love...ROCK IT!!

[Badanovski]

As far as straplocs go my 4003s came with Dunlop internal straplocs. The hole for the straplocs looks bigger than the original bolt hole. I don't know how hard they were to install but they look & work great.

[jps]

Actually, Ricks come with custom strap buttons for Schaller strap locks. Does Dunlop make a version to fit?

The reason the holes are too large is that the RIC bolts are just that, bolts. The standard, store bought variety of Schaller strap locks have wood screws to fit most (all other, really) brand of instruments.

[jdawe]

I had assumed that the Schallers on modern Ricks used wood screws, but now that I look at mine closely I see they are also bolts. POTR has them for $10, and says they are a direct replacement for the vintage strap bolt, which is presumably what is on the 430.

[cjj]

Yep, POTR has the official ones, which are the same bolt thread as the old style strap pegs.

I make my own from the Schaller ones by tapping the original hole in the lock and using a flat head bolt with the head turned down to fit inside...

[Danotron]

I got to play Joey's guitar tonight!

I've never played this model before. It plays GREAT

Would a plastic (?) 330 case fit it? I've got some extra cases. I forgot to tell him about that.