Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,

I picked up an RM1999 yesterday, it plays lovely but I have a problem with the thumb rest configuration, the upper one gets in the way for my finger playing. This must be a mod, correct? Or is there any way that this might be the original thumb rest config?
Asking because if it is potential original, I might want to try to adapt to it, but if not I'd prefer to remove the clear one (or rather, move it to the lower position which I assume is the standard one).

The original 60s configuration for the thumbrest was under/down the strings and not in the upper position
And it was made of a transparent plexiglas

Also, I think the lower thumbrest is usually parallel to the strings.

Personally I could never understand the bottom thumb rest position. I guess if you're a thumb only player?
And the top one, I just always used the edge of the pickguard to rest my thumb. I think that thumb rest position was popular with Fender folks.

If it bugs you, get a replacement pickguard. And it looks like the previous owner took the clear one and moved it to the top, definitely a mod.

Dirk

Shame about the missing horseshoe pickup.

jps wrote:Shame about the missing horseshoe pickup.

Agreed. And I will probably never be able to find an original one, as I understand it.

But it is at least a transitional (green bobbin screw-top) hi-gain, so it is "almost" correct

Casually picked up a RM1999, no big deal.

Congrats! Very cool can you share more photos?

collin wrote:Casually picked up a RM1999, no big deal.

Congrats! Very cool can you share more photos?

How much could one banana cost? Ten dollars?

rickinroma wrote:The original 60s configuration for the thumb rest was under/down the strings and not in the upper position
And it was made of a transparent plexiglas

So I've understood it as well. The upper one on this bass is probably the plexiglass one, moved there.

ikay wrote:Also, I think the lower thumb rest is usually parallel to the strings.

Yes, I just checked the lower one and the screw holes are actually parallel to the strings. It is just the black thumbrest itself that have had its holes drilled somewhat irregular.

Dirk wrote:And it looks like the previous owner took the clear one and moved it to the top, definitely a mod.

Totally agreed. So, reset it will be.

collin wrote:Casually picked up a RM1999, no big deal.

Congrats! Very cool can you share more photos?

Thanks! Attaching some I got from the last owner. (Tried to take some of my own, but obviously I'm a truly lousy photographer.)

jdogric12 wrote:How much could one banana cost? Ten dollars?

Went to England to pick it up. So it cost the trip there, plus 10x that for the instrument itself. I found that an offer I could not refuse. It's been at the same owner for more than 50 years, and the mods and repairs done to it were all done at least by or around 1970, if I understand correctly.

collin wrote:Casually picked up a RM1999, no big deal.

Congrats! Very cool can you share more photos?

This..

clasbas wrote:

jdogric12 wrote:How much could one banana cost? Ten dollars?

Went to England to pick it up. So it cost the trip there, plus 10x that for the instrument itself. I found that an offer I could not refuse. It's been at the same owner for more than 50 years, and the mods and repairs done to it were all done at least by or around 1970, if I understand correctly.

Pretty sweet!

Congrats! Looks great from here.

Sweet looking bass and love the story of your quest! What are you going to de with the upper holes? Leave them? Get a nre pickguard made??

teeder wrote:Congrats! Looks great from here.

Thanks!

ram wrote:Sweet looking bass and love the story of your quest! What are you going to de with the upper holes? Leave them? Get a nre pickguard made??

Thanks!
Since I intend to play it rather than hang it in the wall, I will enjoy the mojo those holes will supply. The guard is (as far as I can understand) the original one, and thus it stays.

Overall, I plan to do as little as possible to the bass (except for a bit of cleaning perhaps) - unless I should happen to stumble upon an original HS, in which unlikely case I likely would install that one. But frankly, it sounds great with the transitional hi-gain so there is no need to do anything. The thumb rest at the top was the only thing stopping me from taking it to gig immediately.

I love it when folks play their instruments! Glad you are leaving the two holes as well! I have a Lollar HS that I just love. You might want to look at them:

https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-ba ... eshoe-bass