Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

About 3 years ago I bought a beat up 4003S/5 on Ebay that ended up needing some serious work. The frets were shot, the finish (white) was hopeless, the action was really high because the glue joints holding the body wings and neck slab together had let go. The only things that worked were the electronics and the tuners. I repaired the body, replaced the frets and sanded off the finish. It is now mechanically sound and ready for a new finish. The logical choice would be to go with white but I don't want to cover the walnut wings. Maplego is an option but my '02 4003S/5 is MG. Then I thought about a nice banana cream color like the 4001CS and leaving the wings exposed. It has black trim which would be difficult to change as the tail piece is not a current RIC part and could be difficult to get in chrome. This is how she looks right now. Your finish suggestions are welcome. BTW she will get a new pickguard and a mute pad. I also plan to fix the peeling paint on the BT hardware.

I like Desert Gold with BT, but then the wings would be covered. And I dunno about exposed walnut wings with DG and BT. Hmmmmmm.....

Remember to consider our buddy Jdog for the refin!

Autumnglo would be nicest except your 4002 is such. Plain old Fireglo but tinted to look vintage would be nice too. Were all the S5's walnut wings? I agree with Jeff that Desert Gold or Silver would be handsome, but not with wings. The CS thing is overdone and had Squire not done it in the 60's, no one would think it attractive on their own.

Blueburst would look nice.

Might I suggest one of the three transparent finishes like the ones used on the CII's???

It would highlight the wings, and be one of a kind.

Silver? (ducking)
Looks great with BT.

cheyenne wrote:Might I suggest one of the three transparent finishes like the ones used on the CII's???

It would highlight the wings, and be one of a kind.

Yeah, how is the grain? You mention it used to be white, so is it bland? If not, maybe Burgundy. If so, Eggplantglo?

Paul's DCM has a slightly transparent finish that looks great in person.

Trans Black

I would do something unique, but with transparent stains, maybe black to blue, or black to red.

I like the suggestions so far. Especially the idea of a transparent color. Trans black is very interesting. Thanks Eric. The grain is plain but not unattractive. There is one sap run on the G side of the neck slab just north of the surround but is not a reason enough to paint it over.

ricosound wrote: Were all the S5's walnut wings? .

No, this is probably the only one. I did them myself.

I think transparent white would be cool, especially with the walnut wings.

A second vote for trans black here Ted.