Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jingle_jangle wrote:... Alisha receives this guitar (it's crying for a name, Alisha!), ...

Paul, the Aqua Bass sort of reminds me of Alisha's 700C.

paul_yan wrote:Paul,
I have a few questions about inlay work and it would be very kind of you to give insights to:

1-On the fingerboard, are the inlays done first, or the frets?

2-Any varnish on the ebony fingerboard of the Aqua Bass?

3-Wouldn't it be easier if you send only the fingerboard to an inlay artist? Is there any advantages in sending the whole guitar to the artist, like you did?

4-Do you have to adjust the truss rods to make the neck truly straight (neither upbow nor backbow) before sending a guitar or bass to an inlay artist (who obviously needs days or even weeks to do his work) so he can work on a totally level (but radiused) fingerboard?

5-Do inlays on the body, like this other work by Craig, require extra work in finishing (to not cover or color the inlays)?

Thanks.

Paul,

The inlays were done first, then the frets. And I wanted Craig to do the fretting, as I did not want to worry about cracking an inlay, even though I press my frets in rather than hammering them.

The fretboard is varnished. This gives a contrast and depth to the inlays that is eye-grabbing and superb. It also makes the ebony BLACK.

I suppose it's possible to do only a fretboard, but these are typically cut wide and shaped to fit the neck so there's no visible joint. To do the slimming and shaping work after such extensive inlaying is risky. In the total cost of this project, the shipping was a small part.

The truss rods were completely removed for all the work--fretboard replacement, inlaying, and painting. They were only installed in final assembly, as shown here.

Body inlays require masking before finishing, unless the body will only be varnished, with no color added. The masking is removed prior to varnishing.

That was probably one of the most beautiful RIC basses that I've laid eyes on. And I'm not a fan of all of that elaborate fretboard swag. Until now.

Some of those inlays nearly look 3-D.

Thank you very much, Paul. Now I have a better understanding of it.

Again, what an objet d'art!!!

Once you put strings on the Aquabass, the shark will look as if it's behind a cage.

Ya know, Chris Squire needs one of these...

Heck, FWI would look scrumptious in that ah-baloney material.
That seems do-able.

The aquaburst V63 looks amazing. I'd love to have an aquaburst Rick!

jingle_jangle wrote:... A whole batch ... are hitting the spray booth in the next few weeks, including basses, electrics and a few acoustics, too. Pics of all as they hatch.

Any more make it out of the shell yet?

I'm in the middle of a bunch, but none buffed yet...

jingle_jangle wrote:I'm in the middle of a bunch, but none buffed yet...

Ah, it'll be worth the wait to see them in the buff!

Proud conceiver and owner of Aquabass here.

Looking forward to seeing it with beaded sweat already lining my brow. This will be at MARF on November 15th for those of you that can make it down for the shindig. I might even let some of you touch it if you aren't intimidated by the perils of the deep!

-Russ

Surf's Up Russ

Bump. I guess buffing takes a while ... it's tough to wait when one is a picture junkie!

Aquabass rocks, Russ.