Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just purchased one of the basses, any one know how the finish should be looked after ? nothing in the manual or online. i know it is hand oil finish!! what oil?? and what is required to keep it in top shape? cheers

Ehh, just dunk it in used motor oil about once a month and you should be fine...

If it's truly a hand-oiled finish (i.e., no varnish), you can maintain it a couple of ways. I use dark tung oil and 0000 steel wool with light pressure (be sure to put some painter's tape on your pickups just in case). Real lemon oil (not the pseudo stuff you find in furniture polish) and a cotton rag will work as well. My Warwick came with a wax that really brings out the finish. If you use oil and wax, you really don't need to do it very often. Of course, the oil won't do much good if the wax is on there, so it's a balancing act. Once a year would be more than enough.

Since your bass has binding, I'd choose light tung oil or lemon oil and avoid significant contact with the binding.

cheers john, thanks for reply, much appreciated.

cjj wrote:Ehh, just dunk it in used motor oil about once a month and you should be fine...

"The finish will darken significantly, but do not be concerned. You will quickly find this much less annoying compared to the lingering smell and texture and, if your engine is in poor condition, occasional metal shavings pricking your skin."

Having had a 650 Dakota for about a 13 years, frankly the finish has needed no maintenance. I've just wipe it down after use every time. My recent custom has body wings of Padauk finished in tru-oil - the luthier said I can get some tru-oil and wipe a layer on and then buff with some fine steel wool afterwards when I think it's necessary.

Tung oil and lemon oil sound good, IF they are the real thing. I've read that some "Tung Oil" is just mineral spirits, which will evaporate away pretty quickly.

Boiled linseed oil is probably a good choice too. A pint will probably last the rest of your life.

I'd like to know how to extract real lemon from the lemons I get off my lemon tree. But I wonder how many lemons I'd need? The tree is not all that productive (it's in the shade of a few very large oaks), and the lemons are very good for flavoring water or other more potent drinks.

edski wrote:I'd like to know how to extract real lemon from the lemons I get off my lemon tree. But I wonder how many lemons I'd need? The tree is not all that productive (it's in the shade of a few very large oaks)...

There is a cure for that, you know?

jps wrote:

edski wrote:I'd like to know how to extract real lemon from the lemons I get off my lemon tree. But I wonder how many lemons I'd need? The tree is not all that productive (it's in the shade of a few very large oaks)...

There is a cure for that, you know?

Now I have the Monty Python "Lumberjack" song in my head

I shudder to think about the price for removing 3 60' tall oaks...

edski wrote:

jps wrote:

edski wrote:I'd like to know how to extract real lemon from the lemons I get off my lemon tree. But I wonder how many lemons I'd need? The tree is not all that productive (it's in the shade of a few very large oaks)...

There is a cure for that, you know?

Now I have the Monty Python "Lumberjack" song in my head

Did Rush write that one, too?

geofio wrote:Just purchased one of the basses, any one know how the finish should be looked after ? nothing in the manual or online. i know it is hand oil finish!! what oil?? and what is required to keep it in top shape? cheers

Au contraire- well covered on the second to the last page of the owner's manual.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/manual.pdf

Ok Mr Hall you got me there, thought that was for the older guitars, thats great if it applies to the new walnut instruments. cheers

It's also acceptable to use some Johnson's Paste Wax if you wish to bring the surface to more of a gloss. Apply and buff. It's nice if you have a heat gun or very hot hair dryer to help make the wax flow on the surface better.

great stuff thanks again.