Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Are all Rickenbacker bass fretboards made of the same material? Or does it differ by model? Time period? The website makes it look like they are currently rosewood. But the "Rickenbacker Bass Models" article (Rick Resource? Rick Registration Page?) gives rosewood for the 4000 and 4003S/8, and padouk for others like the 4001 and 4003, though the information looks like it could perhaps be taken with a grain of salt.

Is there an easy way to tell the difference between the various kinds of wood?

Very early on they were brazilian rosewood. That was until the species became protected and supplies nearly dried up. After that (mid 60's ?) they switched to bubinga. There are two common species of bubinga and it appears that RIC uses both of them (one more than the other). The wood has a straight, tight, closed grain and ranges in color from a sandy tan color to a dark chocolate brown. In between there are shades of pink. Some models, like the 4004c have maple fingerboards. Other than the vermilion used on the 4001CS and ebony on the 4002 that is the extent of the woods used as RIC fingerboards.

Hey Ted.. I thought that some of the '70s FL's (like mine) had a Padouk board?

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m112/endlessbassic/rick2.jpg

I was told that at some point they also used Pau Ferro.

JH has said that Pau Ferro (aka Ironwood) is too heavy and oily for that purpose. He has also denied claims of the use of padouk.

...and the Skunk stripe on a 4001 is......?

Shedua

Gesundheit! (Sorry, couldn't resist .... )

Don't forget about the ebony boards in the early 70's too.


My 73 FL looks like Brazilian rosewood to me.

Beautiful...

Me likes, me likes.
"Gesundheit"? I didn't hear anyone sneeze.

Wints - changing strings on that FL already? Didn't you have flats on it?

Side note - I played a charity gig at Tierra Verde last weekend. Sorry I forgot to tell you about it since that's right down by your neck of the woods...

don't forget maple fretboards ...

They were listed right along with ebony and vermilion. I really like the sound and feel of the maple boards. I own 4 ricks that have 'em.

You are right Ted. Missed that 4002 piece...I was coming from the 4001 perspective.

Ed, that pic was taken before I put the flats on a while back. Sorry I missed you down here. Where were you playing there? Billy's?

No we did the silent auction for the Childrens Cancer Society (Mike Alstott's charity group) at the TV High & Dry...

Freaking hot, but there was a breeze. We'll be at Gasoline Alley in Clearwater 8/25...but that might be a bit far up county for you. Drop me an e-mail...