Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jdogric12 wrote:
Don't hold your breath. Walnut has very open pores and is difficult to seal and clear. Probably why the 650E/F didn't last.

I thought the 650E/F were made from African vermillion. The 650D/S were walnut, but they were finished with oil.

tcsmit29 wrote:

jdogric12 wrote:
Don't hold your breath. Walnut has very open pores and is difficult to seal and clear. Probably why the 650E/F didn't last.

I thought the 650E/F were made from African vermillion. The 650D/S were walnut, but they were finished with oil.

You know, I think you're right! I wonder if the grain is much different. Must be! Then my question remains.. why didn't the E or F last?

Google says that vermillion (also more commonly known as padauk) is a little harder and heavier than red oak but less dense. Apparently it takes a gloss finish well because those guitars are gorgeous. I saw an Excaliber on ebay recently that I let get away from me. My bucket list collection is to collect one each of the different 650 models. Currently I'm jonesing for the Atlantis.

As for why the E/F models were discontinued, I can only speculate. Maybe it was a supply issue being an imported wood. Maybe the demand (sales) wasn't there to support continuing with the models. They are beautiful guitars though and the 650s are great.

I got an email from Chris Clayton! Looks like my wait is over.

Good on you, Scott! Enjoy it and play it hard!

Being shipped today! Lots of pics this weekend!

Look like Friday's the day!!!! It'l be wonderful to be back in the loop.

Mine was delivered yesterday. The package is sitting in the living room. I will open it tomorrow.

Out for delivery!

Got it, did a quick set up and she plays and sounds fine. Happy camper here!

Congratulations Scott. Any photos?

Still working on the pics, its very hard to photograph its actual color and shading. here's one thats not bad, but a little flashed out.

Ok, this thing just keeps getting better. I was having a little trouble over the weekend getting the action where I like it, but after some tweaking every day, and letting her settle into the Dunlop superbrights, I picked her up tonight and was able to lower the action into my comfort zone with very minimal fret buzz. ( I like a little fret buzz ). A truly great sounding and playing 4003.

I do have a question for the newer Rick owners, is your bridge pickup difficult to raise and lower? when I removed the PU cover plate, I almost broke a sweat getting the pickup apart, and then it wasn't any easier to put back together. Everything looks fine, its assembled correctly, but I've never had one this stubborn., not a big deal, I got it where I want it, I was just wondering if they're all like this coming from the factory now days.

Anyway, here's a better pic showing off the smooth Fireglo transition.

Here is mine:




I was wondering if this is normal:



It looks like a bit of wood is missing to me. It feels weird to run my hand around that area. It did not look or feel natural to me.

That is normal. It's come up before, so you're not alone. The contouring of the edges ceases when it comes to the jackplate. They have to have a flat (continuous curve, actually) area for the mounting of the jackplate. The contrast between compound curve and "flat curve" just looks weird.