Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone know what the radius is on a 2000 620 6 string? I'm considering a refret to medium frets. I've refretted over 30 guitars but never a Rickenbacker. I've done many with binding so that's not a big concern. I've also done several Fender maple (varnished) necks. I'm not concerned about re-varnishing the new frets so I guess that would put me outside the traditional Ricky crowd I just love everything about the guitar except the frets!

Welcome Larry. Check out the info at www.rickenbacker.com under the models section. That's too bad you don't like the frets. I love 'em. Good luck with your project.

Well, they are great for chording, but not so great for soloing. Even Tom Petty stuff (not too fast) is a chore!

The 620 has a 10" crown radius.

Welcome to the forum Larry. You should check out a 650. Equiped jumbo frets it may be more to your liking.

I'm not a huge fan of 24 fret necks, though I've not played one in 24 3/4 scale. I'd like to play one, and will when I get a chance, thanks!

Welcome, Larry. I'm with you - I prefer 21-fret necks over 24-fret ones. Well, except for the 350SH, which is a 24-fret neck and feels great.

Welcome from me also, Larry...... I'm sure you'll find the forum both informative and enjoyable.

We'd all make exceptions for SH, Gary!!

I'm in the same boat.... 21 fretters for me - especially 350v63s!

I also prefer a 10" radius over anything smaller.... I really struggle with the early Ricks that are around 6.5" to 7.00"

Oh yeah, the smaller radius makes it even tougher to grab and stretch!

So, am I going to be shunned if I do the re-fret???

No.

Larry, your fingerboard can be radiused to any specs you choose while doing a refret. Find the one you are most comfortable with and go from there...

I'm good with the 10" radius. Having refretted a few varnished maple necks I will not be touching the fretboard. I'll tape off the fretboard, score each side of the existing frets with an xacto knife then remove the frets. I use blunt nose nippers that I've filed flat faced to pull frets. I put a soldering iron on each fret moving it around to loosen the glue and then pry/wiggle/rock them out...

Ok, the refret is done. I'll give it about an 8.5 cosmetically speaking and a 9.5 functionally speaking. Man, those varnished fretboards are a pain not to mention the thin binding! I have a couple of small spots where the varnish chipped off (even though I scored each fret with an Xacto knife). The playability is wonderful now, especially for solos. I'm very happy. It also seems to stay in tune better for some reason. I did have to shim the nut a tad to compensate for the slightly taller frets. I'm playing it through a home built Double Deluxe (5E3x2, 4-6V6s) with a 1968 Jensen C12N. This is fun!

Welcome to the forum Larry.