Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Greetings Esteemed Colleagues,

I have been cleaning my good old 1988 Rickenbacher 350 maple glo finish with checkering on the body(specially on the neck area, will try to get some photo, that is *IF* I can take it at an angle to show the "checkering" (of what used to be)of the finishing. What do I use -furniture cleaners? car wax? with good old elbow grease?....I do not want to do refinishing, it might take the "mojo" off the guitar, any advise? any one?? Thank you kindly in advance for any bits of advise, and/or help to further prevent the effect of getting "old"(guitar) and I think(finishing) it might peel off and I will have to reconsider(yukes, I hate to do it, even mentioning that...word)refininshing.

I'm not sure anything can be done, short of a refin. I'm sure we can get Paul W. to offer some of his wealth of knowledge on the subject. If it's any consolation, I've got a 92 370 with a lot of checking, but no signs of finish peel.

Ted,

Thank you for your input, no peeling yet, though it seems like it is, but just do not want to do any more harm to it (if I can help it). just around the corner and more on in between the neck joining the body area, just have been wiping it down with furniture polisher.

Looks like you hate to er, spell it too, Gavin, har...

Checking in the conversion varnish on any Rick is generally going to go straight through to the wood.

Your cleaning will remove grunge from the surface of the varnish, while depositing this grunge in the crevices of the checking.

All depends what you clean it with, too. Lots of people wll dissolve the grunge with naphtha (lighter fluid) and soak it up with absorbent materials like terry towels or cotton cloth. Others will use a mild abrasive like fine polishing compound (3M Perfect-It III is my favorite). Just remember that the dried compound or the liquid grunge will collect in the cracks.

Also remember, unless the guitar was owned by Muddy Waters or Buddy Guy or someone of their stature, "mojo" is vastly overrated and generally comes down to smoke, spit and puke.

Paul,

So sorry for the spelling error on the word "refinishing".
I just want opinion/s on whether to retain the existing as-is condition or refinishing it., as-is which is okay, no evident of peel off of any kind. This is a 1988 350 24 fret hi-gain pick up maple glo with the R tail piece.
By the way applying Naptha, will it not "lift up" the checkered finish, separating the bond with the wood and eventually peeling itself off?
After typing this I am on my way to True Value to purchase a 3M perfect-it III(-right?).
Thank you kindly to you all.

Gavin--I'd be interested in knowing if True Value has the 3M.

Eventually, the varnish will lift. It may take years, but it will. Ask Forum member Melissa B, whose 335 I recently re-did because of serious checking and one large heel check which lifted and fell off. I do not think naphtha would do any serious damage unless you really soaked it over a looong time.

Ummm....that was a 330, Paul!

BTW, Gavin, Paul's refin jobs are AMAZING.... Check out some of his projects in the REFLECTIONS OF A CURMUDGEON section--the pics and Paul's insights might change your mind about refins....

Yeah, I just put vibratos onto everything lately, Melissa!

I should remember, especially when it was the hearty "R" that caused us so much heartache last winter!

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

The very reminder of it makes me want to cry! I still haven't decided what to do with the offending piece, as now it has kind of a bittersweet association for me....sort of a reminder that perfection is a very transitory ideal in this world.... You did an admirable restoration and subsequent repair....

I have now dialed in the PERFECT amp settings for that guitar, and it sounds so beautiful it is truly heartbreaking.

And what's this about putting vibratos onto EVERYTHING, LOL! I had considered that option for my 330, (I really like it on my 365), but the "R" is part of that guitar's original charm for me--it's just so darn PRETTY!

Melissa: Frame the offending piece with a nice parchment card explaining it all!

In a gold box frame with a purple background.... of course.

Thanks, everybody for chiming in, I truly appreciate everyone's time and effort all their input and sharing their knowledge and experience, domo harigato(JPN), seyeah sea-ye(CHN), mucho gracias todo muy amable.
Nope, did not get the chance to go to True Value, got side track with my acoustic ('75 Takamine F 370S- put a bone saddle in, played and sound angelic, sorry side track away from the main issue, now back to the main subject) since you give me the hint that they might not have it, I will try home depot then, right?
By the way, how much is the refinishing is going to set me back? how is it going to be ship back and forth? just want to know if I can do it.

Right now it sits on my desk as a reminder, to bring me back to reality when my Rickenfantasies threaten to override my common sense, LOL!

I don't know that it needs a frame, and for me it will never need an explanation.... But I do have a very pretty purple felt-lined box that might be an appropriate place for it to rest, but I don't want to treat it too well either, after the damage it did to my lovely guitar....

Like I said, it's kind of a strange and bittersweet reminder of beauty in imperfection....somewhere in there there's a song waiting to be written, LOL!

Sorry Gavin, I was still pondering as I responded to Aitch's comments before yours, LOL! Didn't mean to hijack your thread....

Melissa,

None taken.

Gavin, when you want prices and details, write me offlist.

I am booked up until mid-October, though, so plan on enjoying it until then!