Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm posting a string of pix I took at the RIC tour on Friday. Enjoy!

Our host and tourguide, John Hall tells us about the automated milling machine as it cuts the chambers and shoulders on a series of 360 bodies. The name on the machine isn't entirely coincidental--German relatives, they figure.

More. Much more.

Here's a stack of 4003 fingerboards before (right) and after being radiused. Note the position marker material is poured into routed cavities, then ground smooth with the wood.

A stack of 4003 necks waiting to be further shaped.

A buncha 4003s getting ready for more work. Note the fretless up front.

Here's the binding being applied. Note that it goes on before the wings are added to the neck.

Each assembled body/neck is carefully sanded before the finish goes on.

Next, the fun part: paint. Here's the master painter applying Fireglo (what else, Jim Glen?). Painters start learning the craft by applying sealers, then a time as clear coaters, then when they are experienced enough, the color painters.

Next, the binding is trimmed down before the clear coats go on.

Paul, GREAT PHOTOS! Wish I was there to see all that! Keep 'em coming!

Host John Hall and (damn, I'm terrible with names) the daughter of Gary Clauson's friend looks on as one of the techs trims the binding on a Jetglo 4003. Anyway, I do remember that that was her 13th birthday! What a gift, eh? Getting a tour of the RIC factory!

Yeah, there's more! Here's John showing the "glo" of a Fireglo finish on a guitar.

Here's the next generation; Ben Hall, inspecting progress on a guitar.

Here's one ready to be strung up. In the background is Joey Vasco (Rickenbrother). His wife said he got little sleep the night before. A true fan!

The next step is stringing, tuning, intonating, done by this fellow in a special sound room.

Here's the fellow who is currently carving the 4004LK "Lemmy" (Killmister) basses. He's got about a dozen to go and the edition will be completed. Those who have been waiting for years, will wait only a bit longer. The Lemmy he and John are showing is actually Lemmy's bass, in for a bit of service. Note it's vestigal pickup cover to serve as a hand rest. This fellow (again, names) specializes in producing Rickenbacker acoustic guitars, which have been on hold as he completes the Lemmies.