Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Can anyone give me a good reason why I shouldn't replace the reg binding with checkerboard binding?

Go for it! Do you want to get a toaster in the neck while you're at it?

I don't know, I don't have the neck pickup on that much! I have 2 guitar toasters that I will probably just send along to Ted with the carcass.

But on second thought, they do look cool!

The problem is, the toaster would have to be modified for 5 strings.

I see no reason why not! I love it!
I think the 4003s5 just uses a regular toaster, so it should work in that one!

But back to the original topic, I think checkerboard binding will look cool. Go for it!

Rickenbacker 4003/5's came stock with the standard guitar toaster in the neck position. The six poles covered the five strings just fine. You might have Jeff Rath "un-button" the five pole he made and install a toaster cover on it for the look you want.

a toaster pickup is a 6 magnet pickup ... it will cover 4, 5, 6, or 8 strings equally well ...

The binding is fairly easy work except for the small amount of hand cutting that must be done near the neck slab. The top and sides will have to be masked to protect the finish from chipping as the router bit does it's thing. Afterwards, the clear coat will have to be over sprayed to seal things up. Paul W. is the man for the finish work. His is the best work I have seen in a long time.

BTW - a toaster will work perfectly on a 5er.

Cool, I also want to get the push/pull. If I do the binding, I would probably see if I can get Dane Wilder's guy to do it as he is local. I guess I'll keep 1 toaster!

I was seriously considering having checkered binding and f/w c/p inlays put on my '99 4003JG, but I felt like i'd be presenting it as something it wasn't, even thought I really, REALLY like those features and am not in the market for a vintage 4001.

I guess by converting your 4003 to a 5 though, you're already past that, so GO FOR IT!

I'd like to get a 4003 amberfireglo and then put in a toaster, horseshoe, checkered binding, finger rest, and the old style pickguard, and then 4-2-5 it ... so it would be retro and modern at the same time ... kind of a psychotic 4003 4-2-5 with 60s 4001 features ...

That sounds like a cool idea, Jeff - a modern version of your old '68.