Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I bought my c58 used, and it has a ding. The bottom point has a chip down to the wood. Actually, it's not that noticeable, but I just wondered what recommendations you folks would make to patch it.

I know Mr. Hall said Ric uses a conversion varnish. What do you luthiers recommend?

Joe: While I would defer to the finish experts for the final say on this one, depending on the size, I would recommend that you leave it alone.

Sometimes the corrective surgery is worse than the ailment. I have had a Model 4003 that has a few dings, one that is on the bottom edge of the instrument through to the wood. I have had this guitar for quite a while now, and thus far there have been no ill effects. That is, the lesion has not advanced in any apparent way.

So I say, if it is tiny, leave it.

I agree with Peter but especially if it's natural, a skilled luthier could likely repair this using cyanoacrylate adhesive, to the point where it would be indistinguishable.

Thanks, gentlemen.

If it's natural finish, use clear finger nail polish. About 10 coats will build it up and seal off the bare wood. You can also go to your local hobby shop and get small bottles of assorted colors of testors finishes or you can also use colored finger nail polish which is basic lacquer that works quite well at restoring a ding or chip on most any guitar finish.

Would Mapleglo be considered a natural finish?

I have learned to deal with a couple of minor dings, like yours, on the back of the neck of my 330. Of course, when they happened, I was like "OMG!!! What have I done!!!" But, I have figured out that it is just like my car...."Dogs are gonna pee on it, and birds will **** on it. It's a daily driven car." Well, my 330 is a player, the way it was meant to be when it was built. A minor ding or two or three isn't a problem, unless it causes a horrorendous(Spellcheck?) crack.

Mapleglo is natural.