Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hadn't noticed that Elys. Either way, it's a lovely guitar, although it has some issues at the moment. I'm going to try for it anyway. And Steve, don't worry, I'll hopefully be trying for yours too. Cripes, if I won both, CS sale or no, my other half would kill me....but at least I'd die happy! I'm sure there are some serious bidders for both out there though.

Ha! Jim, you're right. I guess that's a phrase that probably doesn't get used much outside the UK. Never even occurred to me!

Actually, given the seller's comments about the fingerboard being a special order, maybe the reason why he didn't respond to my pre-auction offer was because I pointed out the fingerboard had been replaced. I hope that won't rule me out of bidding.

Perish the thought! No seller is going to think your money is a different color just because of a question. You'll do well, Shaun

I hope you're right Elys!

Elys, I've just printed up some pictures and the blemishes look like they could be what I refer to (probably incorrectly) as "sweat marks", where the wood has discoloured, like the maple fingerboards on old Fenders. It's difficult to really tell though without seeing high res pics. I guess the best bet would be to get cavity pics as Andrew so rightly suggests. I'll e-mail the seller tonight and cross my fingers that he replies now the auction is up and running.

I've just noticed that the seller's ID is different from that of the person who won it last time so I'm not sure if it's actually the same person.

It is also possible that the original MG finish was "open" or incompletely sealed back there at the endgrain around the end of the binding channel, leaving a path straight through to the wood for liquids to penetrate. It is unlikely that sweat would have penetrated back there, but oil-based polishes or cleaners, or even (oh horrors) WD-40, could have penetrated there over the years and discoloured the wood from underneath the surrounding good finish layer.

BTW, Happy Post number "1234"

That's pretty much what was thinking Elys.

I wish the post was more interesting to celebrate that number....

Here are pictures of the control cavity and trus rod cavity from the previous auction....

Er, truss rod cavity, sorry..

The rod cavity looks like jetglo to me....

No question about it...

I can't believe that quality of wood came out of the factory covered in black paint!

Looks like a refin to me. In the photo with the jackplate, it looks like drips on the edge of the body. (Sorry, I can't seem to post photos properly). Also look at the binding - it looks like the finish ran over the side and beaded on the binding. And why would they cover up such beautiful wood with Jetglo???

Sorry about the redundancy. Wints must have posted while I was typing. D'oh!

That's OK, Dave! I'll say it again. Why would they cover that wood?
Schwing!

Because it's got a knot on the back.

Seriously, if it was JG and then refinished MG, it is just a very good job of sanding and surface prep. The truss rod cavity looks JG, no doubt. I have looked inside all my MG 4001s and found that they always have light-coloured MG inside the cavity too. Same is true of the control cavity - the factory would have sealed and then taped off the markings with masking tape before applying the Conversion Varnish color coat and clear coat, and the control cavity is consistent with a JG original finish.