Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When I run my hand along the side of my Carl Wilson 360, there are places where the binding is not entirely flush with the body. Is the binding shrinking in these areas? Is this something common in Rics and not a sign that something is wrong with the guitar?

Are you talking about where the color meets the white binding ? Sort of a 'lip' ??

Yes--where the firglow stops and the white begins. For most of the guitar it's smooth, but there are areas around the "horns" where it is not smooth--as if the binding had shrunk.

This is NOT the case .

THe method used to remove the color from th ebinding , is using a scaper blade .

This blade is easy to manipulate on the 'level' areas , but the corners and inside the cutaways ... well it is definately harder .
Compare to USA made gibson guitars and their cutaway areas. You will find a similarity .

The Asian knockoffs use a polyester/resin coating for the base . This gives a surface that encases the binding and tape is primarily used on those instruments. They TOO use scrapers , but it is a slightly different process .

There is nothing wrong with your guitar .....I'll bet you just noticed this , and it has been there all along .
If it changes , you would have a problem , however this ABS plastic has a terriffic stability compared to the Celluloid.

Thanks, I was just worried that it was sloppu craftsmanship. I imagine it's the hallmark of a guitar that is largely handcrafted.