Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Bought this on Ebay from the NJ butcher about two weeks back - it arrived today safe and sound... It even managed to make its way through customs without the normal 15 / 20% tax added on... Bonus...

SN is 02 19136 - it is written in the cavity. I got the correct jack plate as well... So no worry that somewhere is another guitar with my serial number on it...

I had assembled a pile of parts to restore my 1977 620 which was routered for EMG pickups... So I had most of what I needed.

The guitar when new had a factory installed accent vibrato - but I will be putting an R tail piece on it...

In the short term the guitar will be BT - since the plastic parts are the ones off my JG 610. Eventually though I will want the white plastic versions to match the white binding.

Still my first Burgundy RIC! I have always loved this colour!!!

Here is what it looked like originally...

Here is how far I have got as of tonight....

So I still need a few things!

I will be watching Ebay for the next few months - but perhaps someone on the RRF might have what I need sitting around unused..

I need a wiring harness... Preferably from 2001 - 2002.

I have one from a 1977 4001 - so stereo but not blend knob... Would that work???

I need a 6 string bridge and a plate..

Since the guitar had an accent originally I need one of these. I have a standard R tail and bracket - but that would mean screwing some new holes...
I need screws (two more for the jackplate) - two for the bridge plate - and nuts and washers to mount the wiring harness to the plastic pick guard and the jack plate...


All of this is available I know from the RIC boutique or Pick of the RIcks... But I am curious to see what RRF'rs might have kicking around in their parts drawer...




I have already a set of knobs and the strap buttons / thingies...

Still happy Day!!! This is RIC guitar number 7 - a lucky omen...

Cool, Brian, I have seven also!

That looks sooo beautiful; you must be thrilled. I don't think I've ever seen a 620 in Burgundy. It's a great color for it.

Let me look in my parts pile. If I find something that might be of help we'll talk.

Keep us well posted on your progress!

Very nice, Brian, even at this early stage! The black plastic is sort of 'retro '70s' to me ...

Very nice!

Go with the 4-knob setup.

sloop_john_b wrote:Very nice!

Go with the 4-knob setup.

I agree, but if you must have 5 why not just add the fifth pot to the harness you have. I'm sure you could do it for about $5 or less. I like the black with the BG myself. Congrats

ken_j wrote:

sloop_john_b wrote:Very nice!

Go with the 4-knob setup.

I agree, but if you must have 5 why not just add the fifth pot to the harness you have. I'm sure you could do it for about $5 or less. I like the black with the BG myself. Congrats

That is my basic question... Is there any difference (other then a blend knob - one more CTS pot) between the wiring harness for a guitar and a 4001 bass??

I am pleased with how far I managed to get doing all the work myself!!


Thanks for the encouragement everyone...

With this guitar I have finally gotten a modern RIC...

kiramdear wrote:Cool, Brian, I have seven also!

That looks sooo beautiful; you must be thrilled. I don't think I've ever seen a 620 in Burgundy. It's a great color for it.

Let me look in my parts pile. If I find something that might be of help we'll talk.

Keep us well posted on your progress!

Thanks Kira!

Yes I am very pleased with it so far... Especially that I have been able to do all the work myself!

I wanted a BG 620 after seeing the one Woody played in the Bay City Rollers... lol

That is a great color combo!

Enjoy your new family member

Congrats Brian!

I wouldn't bother wasting money on the Winfield tailpiece anchor yet. If the threads for that strap button are tight, just tighten the strap button into the R anchor and string it up. I've even done that with a 12-string, it will hold fine. Those screws are not "load bearing" IMO.

Congrats Brian! You gotta love BG

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:... That is my basic question... Is there any difference (other then a blend knob - one more CTS pot) between the wiring harness for a guitar and a 4001 bass?? ...

After just reviewing the schematics at the RIC factory site, the pot is the only difference. One other possible difference is if the bass harness has the .0047 mf cap. That can easily be bypassed. The current schematic for the 5 control harness shows the blend (5th) pot value at 500 k ohms and all others at 330 k.

Collin, Chris, Ken...

Great Information! Thanks...

Congrats on your project guitar, Brian !
Burgundy is a fantastic color and the black guards/TRC indeed look Retro.