Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have an 04 4003 in jetglo. I noticed the other day (maybe have been going on for a long time though) that the finish around the bottom side of the bridge is bubbling up. I don't need everything to be perfect, a nick, scratch... no biggie its life. But this just offends me a bit from an instrument of this level. What can be done about it? is it defective, or did I somehow make this happen?

Thanks!

What kind of strings and gauge are you using? Is there any lift on your tail piece?
fenbass

If it is along the edge of the bridge/tailpiece it may have been caused by overtightening of the bridge screws.

Welcome to the forum.

G'day Eric, and welcome!

I have found by experience that the conversion varnish used to finish Rics can bubble when and instrument moves between extremes of humidity. This tends to occur mainly in spots where the finish is "stressed". On my 660 this happened near some tuner screw holes and the top section of the "groove" for the octave-string tuner pegs.

I had the 660 shipped from Japanese summer (mega-humid) to drought-sticken Oz winter last year. Then humidity went up quickly in late Sydney spring and the bubbles appeared and the finish flaked off the affected area. JH and Paul W have both confirmed that the extreme humidity shifts were almost certainly the responsible for the damage.

The finish on your 4003 may well have been humidity-stressed by the previous owner, or in shipping.

I had the small chips covered with clear nail varnish to protect the guitar (FG is hard to touch up). With a solid colour, you could achieve a good cosmetic repair using coloured nail varnish, sandpaper, Scratch X and Zymol. Paul is the Great Sage when it comes to all things to do with finish and restoration. Here is a thread from his forum that touches on minor CV repairs: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=380491

ken_j wrote:If it is along the edge of the bridge/tailpiece it may have been caused by overtightening of the bridge screws.

Welcome to the forum.

If he is using factory gauge strings, that would be my thought as well.
fenbass

using .40's on it right now as I usually like a lighter string. the finish isn't cracked or anything, just bubbled up (you can smoosh them). Its been kept relatively stable as far as temperature goes. I really was gassing for another Rick, as it has been my main instrument for a bit, but I am not sure I like this feature of it. Maybe the wood was a bit green when they finished it? I'll try to take a photograph.

No dice on the photos, I can't get it to show up well in a photo.. hmm, but it is bubbled along the seam of the bridge.

i'v got pics of mine doing the same thing on my 06 4003 jg but i can't remember how to insert them here. mine did it on both sides of the bridge.

opensleft wrote:No dice on the photos, I can't get it to show up well in a photo.. hmm, but it is bubbled along the seam of the bridge.

This happend to my 07 4003 in fingerprint Glo as well. Ric fixed it under warranty. When i got the bass back there was a invoice with it saying that they buffed around tha tail piece.maybee Paul can chime in to tell us what that involves.There may be a home fix for it.
fenbass

It's a Rickenbacker ! Flaws are mandatory . You should see my FG4004Cii . Factory fresh blems . Just love it and play it !

VRICKY63 wrote:It's a Rickenbacker ! Flaws are mandatory . You should see my FG4004Cii . Factory fresh blems . Just love it and play it !

Unfortunately it bothers me. But, I have kind-of made my rick my main instrument at this time. Is this mostly happening with jetglo? is there another color that isn't as prone to this? I should get it refinished in TV yellow or something... that could be kinda cool.

It seems to happen to some JG basses.

VRICKY63 wrote:It's a Rickenbacker ! Flaws are mandatory . You should see my FG4004Cii . Factory fresh blems . Just love it and play it !

Im on the other side of the fence,no factory mojo for this kid.
fenbass

opensleft wrote:

VRICKY63 wrote:It's a Rickenbacker ! Flaws are mandatory . You should see my FG4004Cii . Factory fresh blems . Just love it and play it !

Unfortunately it bothers me. But, I have kind-of made my rick my main instrument at this time. Is this mostly happening with jetglo? is there another color that isn't as prone to this? I should get it refinished in TV yellow or something... that could be kinda cool.

I think another forum member covered up the finish damage with a hipshot bridge. maybee he will chime in.
fenbass

My FG 1992 V63 has this issue too. A hipshot covered most, but not all of this.

The finish on this bass chips if you look at it sideways.