Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I began the modding of my new 325V63. Jeff Levenson(known as FabGear) sent me a package of a lot of great stuff as a gift. I sincerely thank him for what he's given me. I put the stuff on and I'd like to post the pictures here.

The first thing is did was the easiest - I changed the truss rod cover screws for slot-headed ones.



Next, I put some stuff on the bridge. I don't have the roller saddles yet, but I put the black adjusters and "O" rings on so, visually, it would be like one!



The third thing I did was change the pickup corner screws to slot-heads. This was a royal pain in the behind. I was already shaking by opening my guitar, and I soon found out (to my horror) that Rickenbacker had Krazy glued the nuts on. I had to use a soldering iron to heat up the old glue and take the screws out. It wasn't too hard, but it took a while to find a method that works (since I only have two hands). The very last screw I did (it was on the neck pup) just wouldn't budge. The nut came off after a while, but the screw was actually threaded into the Krazy glue. I finally got it out after an hour or so, but in the process I had broken the positive lead on the pickup. I hadn't actually used the soldering iron to do any soldering, but I had to put it back into the solder blob. I was so afraid that, since there was so little wire to work with, I was going to totally mess it up and ruin my guitar. I kept having horrible visions of me dropping the soldering iron and ruining my perfect jetglo finish...

It got done, and the finish is fine! Thanks to Mark Arnquist and once again, Jeff, who guided me through this section. It was practically nerve-wrecking to me to do that, I don't think I'll ever be capable of unwinding those pups! They do look good, though, with the slot heads.



And finally, I changed the screws on the jackplate for slot heads as well. Mr. Levenson also sent me a replica jackplate, it reads "DB122" if you can't see it...he's got a few more of 'em, so email him if anybody wants on. It sure looks great.

Nice job Nick!

Ditto!

Looks good, Nick.

Looks great.

those 325v63's still look good. A few screw changes here and there.... looking mighty nice Nick

What about the bridge?

I don't have the roller saddles yet, but I've got the correct height adjustment screws. I'm contemplating on whether or not to change to Kluson tuners. I don't really want to, since the RIC Deluxe tuners are really nice...

....And they'll work better, too. Nick, if you do eventually put Klusons on it, look for a MINT set, single-line.

Hmmm...In for a penny, in for a pound, it seems.

Hate to be a spoilsport, but is that jackplate licensed? If it is, very cool! If it's not, shame!

This seems an appropriate time to ask: what purpose do the O-rings serve?

Kevin: They don't appear to do anything on my guitars, but I suppose they were intended to prevent bridge adjustor rattles. Loctite is probably a better solution.

Paul: I had precisely the same thought with regard to the legality of counterfeit jackplates. Sounds like somebody could possibly find themselves in hot water. I suppose a lawyer could point out that the jackplate doesn't have a manufacturer's name on it. But if it is manufactured and sold for the purpose of deception and that can be proven, that might change things. I doubt Mr. Hall would be pleased to hear about this. And it doesn't help collectors either...

My own '80 320 BG (modded to resemble a v63 guitar) is currently fitted with an authentic '64 jackplate. I always make it very clear what the actual vintage of the guitar is (and I have retained the original jackplate).

I'm not sure that a chrome plated stamped piece of square sheet steel with a few generic letters and numbers stamped into it is enough of a design to be protected. If I was on a jury I wouldn't find in favor of the objecting party.

Using a substitute plate in order to preserve the original from wear and tear seems perfectly acceptable.

Alan: I basically agree with what you're saying. It is a rather generic looking part that just happens to fit Rickenbacker. Now if the supplier advertises this as a part to fit Rickenbacker guitars, they would probably get a letter from RIC's lawyers. If they want to sell jackplates with Lennon's serial number, that's not so bad. If they sell blanks that can be engraved with any number, that makes it harder to authenticate guitars. Obviously, any knowledgeable collector would know to look beyond the jackplate to identify a guitar, but it might sting a few newbies.

Rickenbacker enthusiasts and those of us who supply services and in some cases parts to Rickenbacker owners and enthusiasts, are well aware that jackplates and truss rod covers are items that are closely held by RIC. They are, in fact, required to be turned in in verifiable condition, before substitutes are issued.

It would seem to be an issue of courtesy to request permission from RIC before replicating an item such as this (serial number notwithstanding) and offering it to a third party.

This was the thinking behind my post. No sting, no deception inferred.