Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

You guys probably heard the story behind my recent purchase. I picked up a 76 4001 that I believe is Autumn Glow. The bass is in great shape, except that a previous owner drilled 3 3/16" holes clean through the body in order to hang it on a wall in some bar.

Anyway, I have already put maple dowels in the holes, and I am looking for advice on how to proceed next. I wanted to do this project myself, because the bass is going to be a player, and it doesn't have to look pristine, and I didn't want to put much money into it.

So what would be the best route for me to touch up the finish to match as close as possible to the AG finish?

I am very happy to finally get my hands on an Autumn Glow 4001, but mine needs a little help.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Oh that is a travesty. Gorgeous finish, awesome bass. Good luck, Bob.

Did they really drill that? Or is that just from whanging 16 penny nails into it?

Oy...

That's a beautiful bass, Bob. The guy had to be an absolute bonehead to do that!

Looks like Autumnglo from here, Bob - the finish definitely has a matte quality to it.

I agree John. I was told it was walnut, but it doesn't look anything like my old walnut 4002.

Yea, bonehead is too nice of a name for the idiot that did that. I guess he never heard of guitar hangers before. The third hole is in the corner of the headstock.

Hey Bob,

How does she play? How does that neck feel?

OH MAN, I LOVE THE COLOR OF THIS BASS!

Tony, you wouldn't believe how sweet the neck is on this bass, and it almost plays itself.
I am very pleased despite the holes.

Holey Rickenbackers, Batman!

The airflow through those holes makes it play faster.

And makes it lighter ... by maybe 2 grams!

White nut eh?

Not touching that

Bob:

Chances are you won't get a perfect match, as the dyes used to create this finish are transparent and the patch is going to show...but you can mix a "cheater" opaque paint that is a close match, using artist's acrylic paints (I prefer Liquitex), which thin and clean up with water. I'd start by buying Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Black, and Zinc White. Your color will be mostly Yellow Ochre, so start with that, and add a bit of the Sienna at a time, and dab it onto a file card. It will dry quickly (it dries darker than it is when wet). You can use the white and black sparingly if it needs graying out or lightening up.

Once you've got the color, dab some over the dowel patches and follow after a day or so with some clear nail polish.

It won't be perfect, but it's better than raw dowels.

Or you could just drill a bunch more holes in it - That way you won't notice those three at all!