Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

why do the channels for the truss rods extend to the treble pickup on my 67 4001,but on Andrews 67 4001 they don't go past the toaster routing.

Ken, I think Ted explained a while back in a thread ( while showing his 63 which is the same as yours ) that the way they routed for the rods back then meant they sometimes extended the channels into the body. This is probably just down to the guy on the day and you put it down to another of those quirky 60's practices.

When I get time I'll post pics of my 64 deluxe cavity which is another story again....

laziness?

union rules

Hey wints ,what color is the 67 going to be?you could even do an oil finish that would look cool!

I'm going to keep it natural Ken. The pictures don't show it but there is some real nice figure to that wood. It probably looked great fireglo but a natural finish will be very cool too.

You can see the circular holes punched out all around the toaster cavity in the routing. These nearly go through the body. I've measured the depth and there can't be more than a couple of mm's difference. With so much wood gone the bass is as light as a feather.

They all used to be routed this way. (Actually, they were cut with a shaper, but whatever.) At some point they decided not to do it anymore, apparently in 1967 from what we see. Why? I sure don't know now but would guess it was either some slight labor saving or even a little extra strength gained back.

I see no advantage to the extra rout so both of the above points make sense to me as good reasons to stop doing it.

John, were those routes ever cut with a table saw?

I'd cut some maple dowls and fill all of the extra holes. In fact, I'd shape some maple blocks, keeping the grain direction consistant, and fill all of the extra routing before I'd refinish it.

Ken, are you refinishing your '67 also?

Thought about that Dane, but I am actually thinking about keeping it a real lightweight to see how it affects the overall sound.
Given how delicate the 60's basses are normally, this feels positively fragile like at around 6lbs or so...

no joey,im keeping it fireglo the above picture was when i was having the routes filled in,somebody at one time thought it would make a good p-bass.

It probably did!

Ken, I was was wondering why it had the routes. I'm glad you saved that baby.

Yes,Jeff, it probably did also- lefty at that there is a strap button hole in the bottom horn. I cant take credit for saving it but i can say i tried to restore her to her former glory.