Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In my experience, maple and alder are it. But my personal experience with Ricks made before '60 is limited to probably about three dozen instruments.

This little gem started out as an "ordinary" '57 Combo 1000 short-scale, Jetglo with natural center section. I received it in rough condition, with the original styrene guard and backplate in very poor and warped condition. The electrics were complete and original but the pickup was dead.

The owner wanted it converted to a left-handed instrument. We discussed color and settled on an ambered Mapleglo.

Well, one thing led to another and I got in a small load of maple with great figuring. I decided to make the guard and backplate out of some vintage white acrylic that I had. The replacement pickup is a '67 long magnet toaster with a new cover. Note the typical Bakelite bridge that many of these Combos had. This thing has all sorts of sweet details to catch the eye of the Rick enthusiast. I know that this was originally a sort of student model, and certainly not meant to be anyone's showpiece, but once the wood was cut to make it a lefty, the die was cast and my imagination took over.

I haven't had much chance to photograph this outdoors--too much rain lately, so excuse the workbench shots. I hope to get it properly photographed this weekend so I can ship it to its owner in time for Christmas!

Wow! Beautiful! And that's some nice wood! Is that Eastern or big leaf?

Though I'm sure there are a few who probably think it should have been painted in it's original Jetglo...

What's the divot for in the backside?

Spike- wrote:What's the divot for in the backside?

I believe that's where the old metal saxophone strap holder goes. Obviously this is a new body wing, but its in the same spot.

Amazing job on this Combo, Paul! Does the headstock have the original TRC or a left handed one? I love the contrast of the finish with the vintage acrylic guards. Classy.
Also, what happened to the old body wings? Can you put a neck on them for me?

I'll be photographing it with the cut off wings this weekend, hopefully. They are pretty beat up and will be returned with the guitar to the owner.

Silly question, as mine so often are.

As the wings look fairly rotationally symmetrical, i.e. front to back, couldn't you have just cut off the old ones and flipped them over to make a lefty, or were they that beat up ?

Only if I wanted the pots and output jack on the back.

Which I didn't.

jingle_jangle wrote:Only if I wanted the pots and output jack on the back.

Which I didn't.

No vision!

Is that TRC CNC'd from the back like the acoustic ones, or just backpainted?

How did the output compare between the 67 toaster on the combo and the three on the Capri?

jingle_jangle wrote:
I got in a small load of maple with great figuring.

That's an understatement. I definitely admire that grain. Nice pick

jingle_jangle wrote:Only if I wanted the pots and output jack on the back.

Which I didn't.

See ?

That's why you do this and I don't.

I would have done it and only noticed after I finished it and painted it. Mind you, as I used to work in IT, I would have sold it to the customer as a feature.

And, of course, someone else packs your parachutes. QED

Love the quilt.....that looks great!