Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a v63 MG that will be scarred for life do to previous owner's hacking... So I've decided to paint it... Leaning toward a dark blue pearl metallic, or better yet, if I can find it, a dark purple metallic (more toward the blue-ish side of purple)...

Is is necessary to paint the neck and headstock to match the body?? Or can I just paint the body??

What say you??????

Necessary? Paint each square inch a different color if that floats your boat. If by "necessary" you mean "acceptable to most RIC nuts" then you need to re-assess your color choice first!

I think Midnight Blue (MID) would get you where you want to go.

In the interest of "correctness", I would paint the headstock and back of the neck to match the body.

Curious: how has it been hacked? This could define what is the best way to go: repair, restoration, rebuild or re-configured to personal desire.

iiipopes wrote:Curious: how has it been hacked? This could define what is the best way to go: repair, restoration, rebuild or re-configured to personal desire.

No one will tell me "WHO" did this terrible thing... But, a pair of EMG p'ups were installed, and a pair of battery box routes were made to the "spine" of the neck/body to accommodate. The repair of filling the double battery box hole will leave a permanent scar... It is also a necessary repair to strengthen the "tuning peg-to-endpin" continuity (strength) and resonance... One body wing has already separated (near the neck) from this "breach." And I'm NOT a master craftsman! So, I don't expect miracles from my handi-work. However, I CAN restore the strength of the neck-through-body" by filling the double-wide battery box hole, and can paint and sand well enough...

Honestly, I'm not terribly interested in "restoration," since my skill level (and bank account) isn't up to the task. I'm told that even the best luthier's repair would eventually be noticeable, due to finish shrinkage... And, I think we've all been victim of shrinkage on occasion!

rickyfricky wrote:I think Midnight Blue (MID) would get you where you want to go.

In the interest of "correctness", I would paint the headstock and back of the neck to match the body.

Which "Midnight Blue" is the correct one? And, where can I get it?

Honestly, this is what I was thinking too... My favorite "Midnight Blue" just happens to be a Ford color, with a bit of pearl in it...

Of the different Midnight Blue finishes that Rickenbacker has used, I prefer the darker ones.

I have a 2010 4003 in MID that looks blue, purplish, and close to black - depending on the lighting.

I would not know where to access the materials. Perhaps some luthiers on this forum would know.

If at all possible money-wise, I would spring for a professional refin. Particularly if you can do the structural work yourself.

My painting friends in the trades like to remind me: "A little putty and paint make the carpenter what he ain't".

rickyfricky wrote:"A little putty and paint make the carpenter what he ain't".

OH! I like this!!

Something vital is missing... PICTURES

Is the OP referring to that mysterious, infamour eggplantglo? I also have a 1981 4000 that has the finish pretty much worn down to near bare wood in spots. Not necessarily abused, but heavily used...it's also a mapleglo, but I'm thinking of having it refinned in a fireglo....

Here are front and rear views:




Here's a closer look at the problem area:



I can fill the twin battery box hole, sand and clear coat to maintain the Maple-Glo (although the "patch" will always be visible)... I could even live with "the ugly!" But as long as it isn't original anymore, I thought I'd customize it a bit... I particularly like dark blue metallic, and dark "blue-ish" purple metallic. It's a bit differnt than the same-ol' same-ol'.

My only gripe re MG is that I played a great looking maple Carvin bass for 20 years, and a 325 MG for nearly as long... I'm ready for different colors.

So, my question is, Is it really necessary to paint the neck and headstock to match the body, as is typically customary for RIC?

I know I was in a hurry when I posted the title... Once "published," it can't be edited...

I agree with the earlier posts. Do what you want with it. If it's not going to be stock it doesn't really matter. I too have a 4003S that was modified. I had been thinking of getting rid of the battery box & on board pre-amp but it turned out I liked the options it gave me. I find it interesting that a used the 4003S will cost more than a 4003. People pay extra for them, then modify them & lose a bunch of money when they sell them.

Of course you can do what the freak you want. If it was mine I'd just patch it up and leave it in MG. It's in better shape than you'd suggested. But it's not mine! So have at it.

As others have said, paint it however you want. With the extra routing and such, it's no longer a "collector" piece so there's no need to worry about a non-standard paint job affecting the value...

cjj wrote:As others have said, paint it however you want. With the extra routing and such, it's no longer a "collector" piece so there's no need to worry about a non-standard paint job affecting the value...

...therefore, you can try one of these on the bass!