Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So I came across this 4003 today. I bought it for $750 and It needs some work. My first question is can I buy paint from Rickenbacker and my second question is: Can I find out the original colour via the serial number? I will enter it the register when I get a moment. I think its an 80-83 manufacture date. And finally does anyone possess refinish procedure guide? Or a link maybe...

Brian, based on the questions that you are asking, this post should probably be moved to the Vibrola section where the resident luthiers frequent. You can PM the moderator and he can move it.

P.S. IIRC there are examples of refinishing projects in that section, too, with lots of good advice.

It looks to be a 74-75 4001....

Nice project!

weemac wrote:It looks to be a 74-75 4001....

+1. Nice project!

Definitely not a 4003 -- "skunk stripe" indicates a 4001 between early 1972 and about 1982. You can find out the manufacturing date by entering the serial numbers (on the jackplate) into RIC's decoder:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

bassduke49 wrote:Definitely not a 4003 -- "skunk stripe" indicates a 4001 between early 1972 and about 1982. You can find out the manufacturing date by entering the serial numbers (on the jackplate) into RIC's decoder:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

I stand corrected. It is a 4001 and It was manufacured in December of 1974 and is pending approval in the register. I am really stoked about refinishing this. I just have to figure out what colour. I will not bother with restoring it to original, and in fact have just ordered some checkerboard binding for it.

I'd have it in mapleglo, if the blue stains can be removed.
The one in my avatar is a '74 too.
The woodgrain looks too nice for opaque colours IMO.

wim wrote:I'd have it in mapleglo, if the blue stains can be removed.
The one in my avatar is a '74 too.
The woodgrain looks too nice for opaque colours IMO.

Any ideas on how to remove the stains? The skunk stripe has them too and I dont know what to do about that other than using a solid color to paint over it.

bartyclue wrote:Any ideas on how to remove the stains?

It can only be sanded out.

Sanding "out" = sanding "off". You'll end up taking off about .5mm of the wood all around, sanding off the top layer of wood to get rid of the embedded paint.

Removing the stains is sometimes possible using #3 steel wool and either paint and varnish remover (like Stryp-Ez or Zip-Strip) and denatured alcohol as a neutralizing rinse. This, however, will attack your skin (wear goggles and rubber gloves), the binding and also the fret markers. You can also use #3 steel wool and acetone...this will also attack plastic materials.

Getting opaque paint from hardwood grain is not easy. You may be lucky, though.

There are loads of pictures of binding and refinishing a number of my bass projects in the "Reflections..." section, under the "Lots of Projects..." thread.

jingle_jangle wrote:Sanding "out" = sanding "off". You'll end up taking off about .5mm of the wood all around, sanding off the top layer of wood to get rid of the embedded paint.

Removing the stains is sometimes possible using #3 steel wool and either paint and varnish remover (like Stryp-Ez or Zip-Strip) and denatured alcohol as a neutralizing rinse. This, however, will attack your skin (wear goggles and rubber gloves), the binding and also the fret markers. You can also use #3 steel wool and acetone...this will also attack plastic materials.

Getting opaque paint from hardwood grain is not easy. You may be lucky, though.

There are loads of pictures of binding and refinishing a number of my bass projects in the "Reflections..." section, under the "Lots of Projects..." thread.

Paul I was hoping you'd chime in. Thanks for the posts fellas

Fiunally getting started on this. I had hoped to send to Mr. W but it just wasn't economically in the cards. A friend is doing most/all the work. I think its coming along nicely. Will post more as they become available. The pics dont do the neck justice. he has done a fab job on it.

$750 you gotta great deal. I'd love a project like that.

I'd do some kind of natural satin finish.

Burgundy mist metallic is what I have decided on. I know its not going to be popular with folks round here.....

Looks OK to me...