Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What finish(es) are Rick basses still likely to come in? I would like to hear your ideas on this subject. No garish or downright absurd colors, please!

Sergio: This is a good question. RIC has provided a fair range of finishes over the past 70 years including translucent, sunburst and solid colors. In spite of the range of colors and more recent translucent finishes, Fireglo continues to top the list. The impact of the 60's continues to be considerable over forty years later. In responding to your question, and in the tradition of the walnut finish I would think that a mahogany, cherry or ebony stained finish may have merit.

Hi, Peter. Thank you for your post. The finishes you suggest had not crossed my mind, in fact. They are worth adding to the Rickenbacker color catalogue. Will the Company consider it?
Out of curiosity, has the factory ever put out one-off bass guitars finished in custom colors such as grey, yellow, 'sky blue', pink and orange?

Hello Sergio: I have learned that RIC is always interested in comments made by owners and potential customers. Nonetheless, there are practical considerations that may not allow for our fond wishes, however. I suspect that mahogany, cherry and ebony are not high on the finish list, but I thought it would be interesting to see what others thought of the idea.

RIC has produced basses, at least to my knowledge in essentially all colors you suggest, with the exception of pink. Grey or silver, yellow, sky blue (powder blue) and orange (if I recall correctly) have been produced albeit in relatively small numbers. Perhaps others can comment on their recollection of these colors.

I'd like to see a mapleglo made available with
an ebony fingerboard, kinda like what Gibson does with the T-bird... I know they made the 4002's this way, but what are your chances of getting your hands on one of those rare puppies!
I also like the idea of a cherry finish, but it sounds like it might be too close to Burgandyglo to be something Rick would be interested in doing...

There's a 4002 for sale on ebay right now. The first time I've ever seen one. It sure is one beautiful bass!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=908895543)

Two blue variants I'd like to see my dream 4325 bass done in:

Sapphireglo-fade to pale blue

Sapphireglo-fade to Natural Maple.

Eh?

Garry

I don't mean to crude, but I'm honestly still a bit light-headed after seeing the pix on that E-Bay item...

Do I need therapy??

Wait just a sec.!!

That looks like an ebony neck! Can that be right?

4002 basses had ebony boards, some 4001's in the late 60's did as well(or at least the Bacon book claims they did)but I've never seen one.

Unfinished ebony fretboard, dot inlay, black binding, and 21 frets.