Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My '73 4001 had bad checking on the back of the neck when I bought it. So, I sanded it smooth, but am not sure what the Maple Glo finish consisted of. To me it looks like just a clear coat to bring out the natural wood. Any help would be appreciated.

It's a transparent high-solids conversion varnish.

Your '73 has, by now, yellowed from UV light exposure.

Both the wood's top cell layer and the varnish have yellowed, so sanding and recoating with CV will yield a neck surface that will look "bleached".

If you wish to re-varnish, a dash of amber tint needs to be added to the CV in order to match the already-yellowed color. Or you can tint the sanding sealer and use the CV straight, no tint.

Paul,

I'm prospecting to build a display case for an antique banjo my grandparents have. I have done a few test stains/finshes on some maple boards. I'm a first timer, but after applying each coat of poly I would sand it down with high grit paper. I did that about 4 times and before the 5th coat I would use steel wool, I don't know the number on it right now. BUT my main concern is after it's all said and done, I can see streaks in the finish. I used a old fluffy sock on my first trial, then a paint brush the second time. Any suggestions for a smoooooooooth and amazingly shiny finish?

It has yellowed. I'm not really worried about it looking bleached, since it is the back of the neck, but I know I need to put on a finish to protect the wood. Maybe I'll just refinish the whole bass so it's all the same. Thanks for your advice.

Chris: Just my two cents, but it is an early 1970s 4001 which is being sought after more and more as time goes by.

If you are going to refinish the back of the neck I would do it right and not interfere with the remainder of the finish on this instrument.

As it is just the back of the neck, why not get a quote?

you could do a tung oil finish on the back of the neck only to protect the wood ...

I agree with Peter as my own first choice. Not a job for amateurs or the light-hearted or heavy-handed...

Tung oil on the back of the neck would preclude a future refin in conversion varnish. There are probably adhesion problems with this over time.

Maybe I should just get it refinished, as there are small check marks on the front of the body also. There is also alot of buckle rash on the back of the body. Trust me, I don't want to mess it up, but I do not intend to ever get rid of it. She's my pride & joy. I'll have to ask around for a good luthier in my area, Northwest Indiana-Chicagoland.