Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Opinions?

C'mon! Why would you ever refinish that?

I'll post up some good pics when it arrives, I am thinking I like it as-is though

The only real thing I would consider is fret wear, assuming the neck can be made straight as you like and action set. For me, pliability comes first.

RickyBubba wrote:The only real thing I would consider is fret wear, assuming the neck can be made straight as you like and action set. For me, pliability comes first.

frets look great in pics, I've been told it is amazing to play (hence the amount of play wear), if it ends up needing something I am an hour and a half away from 12th fret in Portland, from what I've read they do great work and are familiar with old Ric's

I wouldn't touch that finish, but I would find a set of the original Grover tuners to replace those Schallers...

RickyBubba wrote:The only real thing I would consider is fret wear, assuming the neck can be made straight as you like and action set. For me, pliability comes first.

I would thing that a pliable neck can be straight sometimes, or not......................

if the neck and frets are good, it sounds good and feels good .... I wouldn't mess with it. Post some porn when you get it! and congratulations!!!

9c1ny wrote:Opinions?

riccc.jpg

What's the front look like?

I'd only refin if it feels uncomfortable to play.

I recently had a neck refin on a '74 (as soon as the weather improves, I'll take pics for a thread), but only as the missing paint had cracked off, and it was very noticeable to play. Feels great now.

It can be finished to a great standard, so I would be okay as long as it feels and sounds how you want it.

Ooo-wee. Keepy as issy.

This is exactly the wear you want to see on an old instrument. She was obviously played, a lot. The wear means she has a high probability of being a great player!! Sure there are some great players that are pristine but if she did nto play well then the odds are she woudl nto have that wear!

I would touch a damn thing on her is she plays well!!! If she needs frets do it. Finish wise leave it!! She wears her usage well, it's like a badge of honor!!

My 65 looked like this and I left her as she was. I'm so glad I did. My 72 has some wear but she is a killer player so she got frets and nothing else.

Sepp

I'd also say leave is as it is.

If it was me I would refinish it. Me, I wouldn’t even consider not refinishing it (unless it was a very famous player that had worn it down, but then I couldn’t afford it anyway).
If a car has some rust, and the finish is dull and scratched - I don’t find that charming or appealing in any way, even if it means it must have been a good car that has been used a lot. For me it’s the same way with instruments - I like them as pristine as possible, glossy and shiny.

sloop_john_b wrote:C'mon! Why would you ever refinish that?

Exactly...