Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey everybody, I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but I have been considering getting some work done on my 620 and I was wondering if anyone could hook me up with someone with some luthier skills. Mainly I would like it if someone could rout and install a third high-gain in my 620. I was also hoping to see if I could have the same person acquire and install an accent vibrato and some vintage knobs. I know pricing on this type of work probably varies a lot, but what does anyone think would be a fair price for this work and the cost of the accent and knobs? (i already have the pickup)

I think, after a pint or 12, Aitch is your man! He'd do just about anything afterwards.

Graham, it would help if we knew where you are located (coutry/region is close enough), as that is not displayed in your info.

A local luthier would be easiest to deal with logistically, but, depending on where you are, you could ship it, of course, to a qualified luthier. Keep in mind that the resident luthiers here on the Forum are heavily booked, so you might need to wait quite some time for completion.

None of that is particularly intensive work. I don't think you'd necessarily need one of the Rick-specific guys. Installing the Accent and knobs is something you could do yourself with no difficulty whatsoever.

arbiter wrote:Mainly I would like it if someone could rout and install a third high-gain in my 620.

Just kidding...You'll want someone skilled with woodworking to rout for the pickup. The rest seems easy enough to do yourself and save some bucks.

beatlefreak wrote:

arbiter wrote:Mainly I would like it if someone could rout and install a third high-gain in my 620.

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Just kidding...You'll want someone skilled with woodworking to rout for the pickup. The rest seems easy enough to do yourself and save some bucks.

Yeah I figured. The real difficulty seems like it is going to be acquiring an accent But what would you consider is a fair charge for just routing and installing the middle pickup?

Keep in mind that the resident luthiers here on the Forum are heavily booked, so you might need to wait quite some time for completion.

I am open to this kind of work (even though I dedicate most of my time on new builds) but for less than the cost of shipping you can have it done locally. If you don't have a router you can use a Fostner bit to obtain clearance for the pickup magnet. I would use some double face carpet tape to secure wood guides to the surface of the guitar to control where you are drilling or routering (with a pattern bit). With a little planning this is not a difficult task.

Ken's right. If you have access to a drill press, the "routing" can be done as the Rick factory did it in years gone by--with a Forstner bit. Here's what one looks like:
Whoops...that's my old buddy, U-Boat Capt. Siegfried von Forstner...wrong Forstner.

Here's the right one:
A 1/2" one (available separately) will do the trick easily. The bit has a center spur to keep it from skidding across the surface of your 620. I'd drill to the depth of the cutting part of the bit--around 3/8". Draw a box around the area you want to relieve; it should take five or six overlapping holes in a line to relieve for the magnets. Then you'll have to make a 3/16" diameter hole on an angle for the coaxial cable coming from the pickup, into the control cavity. This is the only tricky bit (pun intended!): You don't want to drill through the back of the geetar!

This can be done with a hand drill if you've got a good eye and a steady hand. Plan, then call on Ganesha so you have a good time. This time of year, a nice tall Pimm's #1 will help relieve the stress and improve your focus.

Good luck!

Update:

So I haven't gotten a vibrato yet, but I did have it routed for a third pickup and a 6 way rotary switch was put in. I think it looks and sounds pretty sweet. Sorry to say I didn't do it myself, but it didn't cost me too much.

Before:


After:

Very cool! What are the settings for the rotary switch?

Graham, it looks great. So have you been busting out a few string skipping arpeggios?

Looking good Graham.Glad to see you cut the toenails!

Terrific, Graham..but chickenhead knobs make a guitar look homebuilt, IMO. I'd replace that with a RIC-type silver-topped knob, if it was my 620...which it isn't...