Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

That's an amazing restoration. The new veneers had me scratching my head until I saw the rout-in that retained the checkerboardboard binding. That is going to be gorgeous. What was the issue with the old fingerboard? To thin to match the height of stock or hipshot bridge? The crushed pearl inlay is incredible, wish they never stopped doing it. I seem to remember a thread showing how this is done in more detail, anybody remember the thread?

Gilmourisgod wrote:That's an amazing restoration. The new veneers had me scratching my head until I saw the rout-in that retained the checkerboardboard binding. That is going to be gorgeous. What was the issue with the old fingerboard? To thin to match the height of stock or hipshot bridge? The crushed pearl inlay is incredible, wish they never stopped doing it. I seem to remember a thread showing how this is done in more detail, anybody remember the thread?

I'd like to see that in more detail myself, all I remember were threads where John Hall weighed in telling us that the company that made the crushed pearl inlay had gone out of business and they were unavailable to make it anymore. I'd love to see it return. I'm glad that Rickenbacker went back to the wider full-length inlays on the deluxe guitars.

squirebass wrote: I'd like to see that in more detail myself, all I remember were threads where John Hall weighed in telling us that the company that made the crushed pearl inlay had gone out of business and they were unavailable to make it anymore. I'd love to see it return. I'm glad that Rickenbacker went back to the wider full-length inlays on the deluxe guitars.

I thought John had said that the inlay sparkley material used in the 1960s was crushed shells from an island somewhere in the South Pacific. And that there was now some kind of import ban on bringing that material into the US... I can't remember the source for that - some distantly remembered thread.

Nice job Larry is doing on this bass... It will be lovely when finished. Is it gonna be Fireglo, Mapleglo or Burgundy when it is done?

squirebass wrote:Dude, those were, like, lightning bolt inlays you replaced!

Seriously though, I am absolutely green with envy at the way you are doing this, REAL crushed pearl inlays, checkerboard binding, replacing all the routed out wood from the previous butchery, wow that is gonna be something when it is finished!!! Beautiful!

And I'm very sorry to hear about your cat. Pets are VERY special to me too....

Hi Gene,

Well I have to admit I kind of liked the inlays in a "bad taste" sort of way ; I'm a big fan of the film The Natural so this would have been a kind of Wonderboy thing, but I think it's definitely for the best. I love full-width c/p.

The way Larry has replaced the wood seems an elegant solution to the multiple routes and allows more options finish-wise, whilst giving me arguably the first chambered 4001 in existence. Obviously it also allowed us to keep the binding, which is original to the bass and which Larry advises is more precise than the newer stuff. I was in 2 minds at first, losing more of the original wood, but I think the end justifies the means; it would have been an utter patchwork otherwise.

Thanks for the thoughts re my cat too. Sooty was a rescue cat and had the biggest personality of any pet I've ever had; we hadn't realised how much he ran the place until we lost him. The house seems empty now. We have another cat, who is long-term sick and on permanent medication; ironically we didn't know Sooty was ill, and even more seriously than her. It was less than a week between showing symptoms and us losing him:

bassman4001 wrote:Very excited to see the finished product. The figuring of that maple is going to look gorgeous with a burst. You guys are amazing.

That's all Larry with Dane on the metalwork. I just pay 'em!

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:

squirebass wrote: I'd like to see that in more detail myself, all I remember were threads where John Hall weighed in telling us that the company that made the crushed pearl inlay had gone out of business and they were unavailable to make it anymore. I'd love to see it return. I'm glad that Rickenbacker went back to the wider full-length inlays on the deluxe guitars.

I thought John had said that the inlay sparkley material used in the 1960s was crushed shells from an island somewhere in the South Pacific. And that there was now some kind of import ban on bringing that material into the US... I can't remember the source for that - some distantly remembered thread.

Nice job Larry is doing on this bass... It will be lovely when finished. Is it gonna be Fireglo, Mapleglo or Burgundy when it is done?

I believe that story is correct, more or less. According to Larry, the newer pearl lacks a little of the pinks and blues of the older stuff but I'm sure will still look amazing.

Well I've chosen a burst finish based on a rare Ric guitar, but I'll keep that under wraps for now....

Gilmourisgod wrote:That's an amazing restoration. The new veneers had me scratching my head until I saw the rout-in that retained the checkerboardboard binding. That is going to be gorgeous. What was the issue with the old fingerboard? To thin to match the height of stock or hipshot bridge? The crushed pearl inlay is incredible, wish they never stopped doing it. I seem to remember a thread showing how this is done in more detail, anybody remember the thread?

I like super low action - I mean really low - and Larry advised the board was just too thin to obtain it, allowing for lowest bridge height.

Electrics-wise we're going for a 1/2" toaster, obviously; Larry has a long pole one that he's going to have converted to short pole for a shallower neck route to maintain structural integrity. With regards to treble pickup, I'd love an early screw-top but can't currently source or afford one. The plan is, for the short-term at least, to use either a pickup Sergio Silva made me some years back, or possibly a Classic Amplification '60s; I'm not sure yet. I'd still like opinions on the CA compared to a stock Ric pickup. I've toyed with a Lollar too at some point - I've never tried a bass with a genuine 'shoe so am intrigued - but the project will have cost me about 3 times my original estimate, so that would have to wait a long while yet. Dane's harness is '60s spec but with added push/pull for the cap.

I found this, which list a familiar cast of characters, including Dale and Dane. If anyone is willing to post a tutorial for the motivated do-it-yourselfer, it would be much appreciated.
http://www.guitargeek.com/chat/basses-1 ... 304-print/

That is looking great, Shaun. I too, now own the results of Dale, Dane, Sergio, and Larry's, skill sets. First rate guys too.
It's amazing how so many folks are involved to make it happen properly. I'm sure it will be outstanding, and you will be greatly pleased. If you do elect to purchase a Lollar HS, you won't be disappointed. I have one installed in the Snowglo. I'm thinking about a second Lollar HS to store for a future project. He can restore originals too.

Kind regards,
Bob

Well I have to admit I kind of liked the inlays in a "bad taste" sort of way ; I'm a big fan of the film The Natural so this would have been a kind of Wonderboy thing, but I think it's definitely for the best. I love full-width c/p.

--Hey, maybe this is the illusive and famous "lost" Roy Hobbs model we've heard so much about!!!
The one where you hit just the right note, on the 21st fret, and the whole light tower explodes during the second encore!

It's a beauty of a bass, so what is the finish gonna be?

Thanks Bob!

Gene, on the 21st fret really would be a miracle.

I'm keeping the finish under my hat for now; let's just say there's a guitar on here somewhere from my favourite year with the same finish.....

This is truly an amazing save of a once great bass. I kind of liked the masonite inserts Larry made for the body, that would have been unique on a Rick!

jps wrote:This is truly an amazing save of a once great bass. I kind of liked the masonite inserts Larry made for the body, that would have been unique on a Rick!

Unique is one word!

Nice read!

Like Jeff says, great save.

Sorry about your cat. Most of us have been there...

edski wrote:Nice read!

Like Jeff says, great save.

Sorry about your cat. Most of us have been there...

Thanks Ed, especially the last part.