Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Dale: I notice when you added the darker colour around the edge of the body that it is more solid in appearance.

Is there a deliberate attempt to feather this band of colour in as you move toward the center or is this effect achieved simply with the addition of clear layers subsequently applied?

Dale
A simple question what is the angle that you have cut the headstock at? is there a "perfect angle" that should be used?
Cheers
John

Peter I hope I can explain this in a simple way: the color coat is mixed very thin and sprayed on at a 45 degree angle toward the edge of the body so it gets a thicker coat toward the outter most edge giving it a lite to dark effect. After this is done then the clear coats are applied giving it depth. It is very deliberately done this way so as to achieve what is called a SUNBURST effect. John, the peg head angle I use is 10 degrees. The older Gibsons used a 13 degree angle
on the 50's models such as the Les Pauls. The only draw back from this is the Mahogany necks would break easily if knocked over. This degree of angle causes the grain to run off causing a weakness at the top nut area. With Maple neck guitars there was no problem because of the strength of Maple. Rickenbacker uses a 5 degree angle. Now for some pictures of tonights progress. 1st off the flash from the camera causes some odd distortion to the finish that isn't there. The way the binding is scraped is to use a single edge razor blade and use your thumb and fore finger as a guide to do this. A very bright light also helps to see what you are doing. This takes a lot of concentration, one slip and you have to do some touch up work with a fine brush on the colored finish. Oh those inlays just sparkle.
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Awesome Dale. It is going to be stunning when completed. You are right about the markers. They look like the 60s style. IMO, it doesn't get any better. I would probably own 2-3 more Rics if they made full markers opposed to the current ones and if they were whiter opposed to the grayish look they have.

My 2004 4003 has really white inlays. The look alot better than the 80s/90s versions.

Cole

So.....What's happenin' tonight? ...or do we have to stay up past midnight again tonight to find out?

Can't Wait!

Not alot to show tonight, The final sanding of the C.V. with 800 grit wet/dry paper and a little water to take off the shine. sanding the finger board cross grain to level out any high spots or over spray. The last coat of C.V. is put on heavy and wet. Same for the finger board and inlays. Let this dry over night and it's ready to be buffed and polished. While we are waiting for the finish to set up and harden, tomorrow I'll start the pick guards and T.R. cover, the the bridge and tail piece. Toodles
AML2DL
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Dale: I really like how the fret markers pick up a number of the different colours of the finish. Each time I look at this instrument I see something different.

That's a good point Peter, there is so much going with this guitar. I do not own a solid body. If this was offered by Ric, I would buy it. It's classic looking and will be a player.

That is looking fantastic, Dale. Autumnglo was the right choice! What hardware are you putting on this baby?

Dale
fantastic. it's great watching this evolve. By the way, in the first picture of your last poast i can see that you are wearing the government regulation safety boots that are necessary for operating machinery in new zealand.
cheers
john

Keen Eye you have there John. Hardware will be simple Klusons, Single Coils, Gold P.G. Etc.

...."If this was offered by Ric, I would buy it"...

So would I.

Wow, it really looks great Dale. I don't see a drastic difference between the inlay material you used and the original stuff which is no longer available....My .02 is that it would look good on new Rickenbackers too..(JH, ya out there?)

Amen John S. Please John H.