Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Beautiful!!!

I hear you, Randy. Seems to me when Smith did his book, he charted Campbell's and the other few as 620s, perhaps because they were listed that way or he felt it necessary to correct it?

Anyway, I went for FG with the belief that this is the first of a kind in a remake kind of way. But I was tempted to go with a variety of Rick colors....any of the blues, MG, Burgundy on this guitar would be killer.

The FG on this guitar, as is almost traditional lately in reproduction, does not photograph accurately. The center area of the burst is much larger, but the camera is not capturing the transitional blend very accurately, rendering it as a completely-saturated red.

Paul, you continue to dazzle and amaze! Such great work on a number of Ricks in such a relatively short period of time.

Clive nailed it: Legend!!
Congrats Glenn. Now the anticipation...

Paul you never cease to tease, deliver and amaze. Stunning. I opened the thread and lost my breath!

...Dean

"...you never cease to tease, deliver and amaze."

Dean, you're a natural songwriter--that sounds like a great lyric line.... And truer words were never spoken!

You're jammin' me - Tom

Once again, a MASTERpiece!

And now we move on to Len Hruszowy's '57 Combo 400.

(TWO newbies! Remember?)

It nears completion with the nasty work of stripping the body, sanding, cleaning out cavities, refretting, restoring the fretboard, etc. The paintwork is completed and the first coats of nitro are on it. A bit of sanding, then a couple more coats, etc... you know the drill. Will be wrapped up this Friday.

Now to the thorny topic of the gold pickguard and bridge cover on this guitar and its brethren.

I can make these, and the process is much like an acrylic guard. It starts with an MDF pattern made from the old guard, and a rough-cut piece of .050" mirror-polished aluminum sheet. The aluminum is then routed to shape. Next, the rectangular holes for the pickup ad bridge are milled into the piece while it's still on the MDF pattern, for rigidity. It's held in place with double-faced tape. Last, the holes for the screws, pots, and switch are drilled.

Next, the guard is bathed in alumi-prep, which is primarily phosphoric acid, for a slight etch. This cuts the mirror shine to a nice hazy look, which accepts the gold Alodining treatment very nicely and comes very close to the original anodized factory guard in appearance. It then receives a protective lacquer coat.

Pictures show old and new guards, new bridge cover, and the guard soaking in the etching bath. More pics tomorrow!

Cool, Paul.... I have a feeling that the results on this one will be just as spectacular as the last....

Makes me kinda sorry that I sold a couple '57 Combo 400s....they only needed Paul's handiwork.

I would describe these as very rudimentary guitars, compared with the Gibsons and Fenders of the era...

Am I too late to express my admiration for your work, Paul?

You, sir, are an artist.

Have you considered publishing a book or at the very least a calender showing the fine work you've done?

I for one would love a series of before and after pics!

Wow - I can't wait for all to see the condition my guitar was in prior to Paul accepting it for restoration. I bought it as I have a love of the vintage Rics and thought it could be fixed and then I could have some fun playing it. Well it was in pretty sad shape when it finally arrived and I thought not much could be done with it. Then through this amazing forum I found out about Paul's amazing work and my spirits rose. What I have learned from this restoration is that most things can be fixed if you have an artist like Paul on your side. Finding the old Rics is one thing having them brought back to life is another thing. I also have several other vintage Rics that Paul will hopefully work on at some point in the future. For now I'm going to set up a restoration fund and then stand in line!!! Great work Paul and I can't wait to play it again.

Robin's guitar needs a new metal face plate.