Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

1- Say I wanted to bind the edges of my 330. Are there luthiers/techs out there who are willing to do it? Is it even possible? If so, how labor intensive is it?

2- Replacing the "modern" triangle inlays with the "classic" crushed pearl full width inlays of yore. Again, is it possible, and are there any techs that can or will do this?

Just two things i've always been a little curious about.

The first is possible and pricey. And I'm doing it myself to a project guitar of mine this winter because I'm an eejit. You can get binding router blades from Stewmac.

If the second were possible, they'd already be on re-issue Ricks. The pearl stuff is no longer made and Rickenbacker has searched and searched to find a replacement.

Take it from me, though -- as someone who has had a lot of guitar projects over the years -- you probably will not be as pleased with a 330 converted t o a 360WB as you would be with a real one.

Brad's right on both counts. I'm binding the backs of several solidbodied Gretsches right now. It is a bit more difficult to do after a guitar is assembled and painted (as in this sort of retrofit), and the guitar needs a good deal of finish work afterword, but it can be done.

The StewMac router setup (for a Dremel) is touchy unless you have a very steady hand and some Dremel experience. A table router is a much surer way to do this with good results, and that's why a pro luthier is your best bet.

"Pricey" is a relative term, but you are looking at several hundred bucks all in.

Check the building a neck thru body thread in this page and you will see that C.P. inlays are very possible, I am doing a 4080 right now that is getting crushed pearl inlays.

I've got to see fotos of that!

Dale did them on his last project and they looked great! I wish they were still standard on all models. One of the best features of a Ric, IMO.
Dale, please post some pics of the 4080 project when you get a minute!!

I will my friends, I've been so busy that I'm running behind.