Hello...Newbie with a 360 Resto project!!

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:59 pm

Hello from the UK fellow Ric-o-lites!! I'm new to the forum, but not new to Rickenbackers...I have three in my collection (well, two and a half would be more accurate!)

I'm currently in the process of restoring/modifying a 1991 (I think) Fireglo 360. I bought it from a retired Liverpudlian musician for the measley sum of £250 ($375 approx). This was about 4 years ago, and I had every intention of getting my teeth into my new project with much gusto, but alas, life got in the way, as it so often does!!

Anyhow, having been laid up with torn ankle ligaments and tendonitis in the same area for a couple of weeks, I decided to reignite my enthusiasm for my long lost project!! Over the last few years while I've been in possession of the 360, I've scoured Ebay for parts that I knew I'd eventually need...a geniune Ric bridge for the non-original replacement that was present when I made the purchase, amongst other items.
I decided pretty much straight away that I wanted to strip the guitar and refinish it Mapleglo (the original finish was checked throughout, and was nicotine stained to the point of stickiness!!!) I've never thought that Fireglo suits the 360...on the 330 it looks great, but for me, the 360 looks best naked!

The other decision I made, inspired by the fabulous work of Jingle Jangle, was that I wanted checkerboard binding on the rear of the body and the front of the headstock...I'm after a vintage vibe with this guitar; toasters, black knobs, Kluson style buttons etc.
I managed to get hold of some celluloid checkerboard purfling and white binding from Germany during my search for materials, so all I needed was time! As a pro gigging muso and father to a now six year old boy, time is hard to come by, so I decided to start over whilst I had a **** ankle!!!
Be patient with me please whilst I get used to the forum, I intend to post as many pictures as I can throughout the resoration, and any advice that anyone can give me along the way would be appreciated...I'm an electrician by trade, so have a good engineering background, however, I am a sponge for knowledge!!

Best wishes
Mark

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 7:57 pm

Welcome aboard, Mark. You will get a lot of interest following your restoration project. We love following projects like yours here. Others here are more qualified to offer advice and suggestions, so be encouraged others will comment soon.

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:02 pm

Thanks for the welcome John...want to get posting pics as soon as my technical know how will allow...I've viewed this forum from the sidelines for a few years now so I know that you're a friendly, helpful bunch!!;)
Thanks again, Mark!!;)

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:03 pm

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/16807161@N03/8448711058/

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:05 pm

Follow the link above and you'll see how I've progressed with the resto...apologies for the lack of continuity with the pics, but I think you'll get the idea!!!
Mark

Ontario_RIC_fan · Post by **Ontario_RIC_fan** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:33 pm

Your RIC was made in June 1990. Nice work so far...

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:54 pm

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the dating info...I checked this out a few years ago when I first acquired the guitar, but my memory has been clouded by child-rearing and gigging...much appreciated!!
The celluloid checkerboard purfling is going to be glued as soon as the appropriate glue drops behind my door..I've opted for liquid hide glue for the job... If anybody can advise me with a more suitable adhesive, it'd be appreciated...Paul????!!!;)

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:03 pm

By the way Brian,
If that's your Ric collection, I'm more than envious!!!
Mine stretches to the 360 that I'm restoring, a Jetglo 330 and a Fireglo 1998SPC with "R" tailpiece.

Mark

Ontario_RIC_fan · Post by **Ontario_RIC_fan** » Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:34 am

Three is a great collection!

When i joined the forum i only had two!

Being active here leads To RAS!

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:26 am

Hi all!

Made some progress over the last couple of days...managed to bind the headstock, probably the trickiest, fiddliest job I've took on in my life!!!

http://m.flickr.com/photos/16807161@N03 ... /lightbox/

8mileshigher · Post by **8mileshigher** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:02 pm

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:
When i joined the forum i only had two!

Being active here leads To RAS!

godber · Post by **godber** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:29 pm

Cool thread Mark, we love a step by step refin. Looking very good so far

Are you adding full width inlays too?

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:28 pm

Hi Godber! Thanks for the feedback, appreciated! I wasn't going to do the headstock binding until I realised how much checkerboard I had, so it was a bit of a last minute decision...and more than slightly nerve-racking! With that in mind, I will probably go ahead with the full width markers; fortune favours the brave so I'm led to believe!

Nice avatar by the way...inner sleeve of Sound Affects if I'm not mistaken!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:41 pm

Foxless wrote:Hi Godber! Thanks for the feedback, appreciated! I wasn't going to do the headstock binding until I realised how much checkerboard I had, so it was a bit of a last minute decision...and more than slightly nerve-racking! With that in mind, I will probably go ahead with the full width markers; fortune favours the brave so I'm led to believe!

Nice avatar by the way...inner sleeve of Sound Affects if I'm not mistaken!

That binding looks great on the headstock!

Foxless · Post by **Foxless** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:46 am

Thanks John...getting those sharp curves right took an age, applying heat to get it to bend,...the wife's hairdryer will never be the same again!
Mark

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