Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

OK, I got her. She is awful dirty but in nice shape. Here are a few pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002107.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002104.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002096.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002099.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002095.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002094.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/loverickbass/IM002115.jpg

Now, if I had a set of those Grovers I would be in business!

The guy said he has owned it for 20 years. Bought it in a pawn shop in Virgina Beach,VA. He said it's been all around the world on a US Navy battleship during,if I remember right,2 tours of duty. It's not been abused just alot of honest player ware. Believe it not it still had a little saw dust in the routes!

What's the best way to begin to clean her up? She's got a lot of grime on the fretboard and mucho oxidation(sp?.) All of the screws are rusty,etc.

Conclusion-I think I'm in Love.

That one has some interesting cavity graffiti.

Yeah, It kinda' looks like that old school graffiti you used to see on the trains in NYC don't it.

Cole

J.C., when I get a guitar that that has years of accumulated grime, I usually do a complete clean-up of nearly everything, including the fretboard.

- I take the metal parts off and clean them with a good metal polish; don't be surprised if you can't get all of the rust off. (I even go so far as to clean the threads of the screws with metal polish, figuring that dirt is dirt.)

- With the metal parts off, I clean the body with fine rubbing compound, being careful to use just enough pressure to remove the grime but not eat into the finish;

- To clean the fretboard, I first mask off the wood areas, leaving the metal frets exposed, and use the metal polish to clean the frets (this may take nore than one application; a Hofner 500/1 of mine took three applications because the frets were really corroded). I then remove the masking tape and carefully and lightly use some rubbing compound to remove the grime in the wood areas.

- I also often take the pots out of the pickguard and clean the pickguard very lightly with rubbing compound, as well as the knobs; the retaining nuts get a metal polish treatment, too.

From the pics, I think you made a great purchase. COngrats!

Gary,

Thanks, I printed your info off to use in my cleaning.

Could you please give me some brand names of the products you use. This is my first try at a serious cleaning and I don't have a clue as to brands.

Cole

...going back to the tuner issue; is it possible that my tuners are correct? I read in the Ric Reg database that in 73 they switched from Grover to Schaller(sp?.) Also, in the database, REG number 140 which is a late 73 mapleglo 4001 has the same tuners as mine(if I'm seeing that small picture correctly.) When I start the cleaning process I will take the tuners off to verifiy that there are no extra holes hiding under there. Sorry for all the questions but you know how it is when you get a new bass.

Cole

Cole, I'll get that list together as soon as I can make some spare time in the next day or two.

Thanks Gary!

Cole

What database do you speak of? I'd like to look thru it.

I'm due to get my first RIC tomorrow!! A '74 4001 BG! Now, the dude told me that it had "Kluson's" on it originally? That can't be true can it?? From the pix, it looks like it's had the original open backs on it (which I am putting BACK on it), and maybe a smaller set like the closed backs. But maybe he's confusing those w/ Kluson's? I bought the big ones so they'll cover the holes that are there now. Plus, I hear they are better.

Jason

It's the Rickenbacker Registration Page. You can find all the data there.

Cole

Jason, when you check out your future '74 4001 BG, be sure to check the dot markers on the side of the neck. They should be red, a feature exclusive to 1974 only.

Kinda cool.

Thanks JC. What is the addy of that page??

Thanks SCOTT! It's the first thing I'll check!

Jason

Thanks JC. What is the addy of that page??

Thanks SCOTT! It's the first thing I'll check!

Jason

Thanks JC. What is the addy of that page??

Thanks SCOTT! It's the first thing I'll check!

Jason

Wow, sorry guys. My browser wouldn't refresh and so I didn't think it was uploading my messages. Then suddenly it did, and there were three!

j