Custom carved-top 430 project brainstorming

[kiramdear]

Yup, she's at it again. Hide the bladed tools.

Here's an idea I kicked around for a couple of hours. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but if the notion is well-received and worth development I may give it a whack one of these days.

When I posted pics of a 430 last week, several people commented about possible mods or finishes, and what they liked or disliked about the form. From that point I leapt into space (as is my wont) and came back with a seed of an idea for a personalized carving treatment that would express my personality while still doing right by the Rickenbacker legacy. And indeed the idea is sooo me. I just hope someone will think that it is also sooo Rick. Any and all comments from "Awesome!" to "Friggin' Weird!" will be appreciated. And yes, I know I have too much time on my hands.

Here's the gesture of it: It's a 450 silhouette carved into the top of a 430. Think Lemmy K meets Kiramdear. Here's how I began: I took these two images




and superimposed them:

Then I traced all three outlines together - 430, 450, and its pickguard:

Came up with a color scheme and a few sketches:

Here's an extra detail for that lower horn. Maybe we could lose some of the tip. I've got Macca's old sander here somewhere ...



So as you can see, we're in the concept stage. So run it up, shoot it down, send in your yays, nays, wherefores and whatevers to me here if the fancy takes you. I'll check back soon

[paologregorio]

Will all of that carving away of the body weaken the neck joint?

[kiramdear]

No, the whole thing would be done in low relief, and not affect the mass or structure much at all. All the cutting will be only 3/8" deep or so on the surface, like Lemmy's bass, and mostly on the edges..

[deaconblues]

I don't know, it might come off looking a little strange...although it's interesting how neatly the 450 body shape lines up on the 430.

[kiramdear]

The superimposed image started me thinking how the "Fender-ish" form could be coaxed to reveal more of the Rick heritage.

[wittyair]

Very creative, Kira! I think it would be a ton of fun......go for it!!

[badeggs]

Actually, it's pretty cool-looking...weird, but cool. Nice sketches, by the way.

[tennis_nick]

I'd try it on a blank first, but it'd look cool I'm sure!

[kiramdear]

Nick, that's a darn good idea

Here's a kind of celtic knot for the negative space, well, you can imagine ...

[kiramdear]

I've broken the surface up and the areas in dark brown well be routed, dropped a half-inch in depth, except for the two patches on either side of the neck which will get a much shallower rout. Black plastic vintage-style guard. The lighter areas will be smoothed and rounded at the edges to simulate the "S" style comfort roundover. Then the dark areas receive their detail relief work, could be sharks' teeth, celtic knot, crossed bones, whatever.

[kiramdear]

Playing with layer styles to try to create a 3-D effect. Looks cheesy but you start to see what I'm getting at.

[kiramdear]

Or this one in a different color scheme:



Comments on the lower horn form? Should I go back to a 450 point there?

[paologregorio]

How about cutting it into an actual Combo 850 body shape, complete with German Carve?

[winston]

I like Paul's idea..............

[kiramdear]

Interesting .... very interesting. I'll sleep on it

But is there no love for trompe l'oeil?

Combo 850, you say?