Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It has been reported on gearpage, supposedly straight from a Rick employee, that as of the end of August, the company will stop lacquering fretboards on their most popular guitars.

Fine by me.

It’s happening. Confirmed on July 28.

Oh noooooo! Rickenbackers won't sound shiny any more!

When my 4001FL needed work on its neck, I opted not to replace the fingerboard lacquer that needed to be removed - I've got to say it's never sounded better!

Ash

When I had my 370/12 refretted with full width frets by Mark Arnquist for more room to operate we left the finish off the fingerboard and just oiled it. In my opinion it actually looks cleaner/better and the sound is the same.

I guess I got one of the early no-finish fretboards. Just got in my 4003S FG new from Dave's Guitar and I love it but felt that something was a bit off. Took me a day or so to realize that there is no finish on the fingerboard. Not sure how I feel about it.

I see Dave’s notates it as such on their site.
I like it. I think unfinished eliminates the fret bubbling. Nice!!

I saw that Facebook post, wondered if it was legit, but it seems so!

Compared to the few of us who liked the quirky finished fretboards, there has always been a much larger crowd of people grumbling about them, so this is probably a smart move. "Give 'em what they want!"


(Now I wonder if the satin finish models acted to test the waters on this change...)

Yeah, looking closer, it almost looks and feels like more of a thin matte finish than no finish at all. The fingerboard surface is much smoother/more finely sanded surface than a normal unfinished rosewood-ish fingerboard.

I have the 330 that they did in Matte Tobacco back in 2014 and it has an oiled fretboard. Feels lovely to play. The lack of lacquer makes its neck feel more like a Fender neck IMO.

I have to say that I had a 450/12 from 1966 at one point and the very thin finish on the fretboard served me well. It should help that Factory in getting more out the door sooner as well with somewhat less labour. Also, it will make a refret easier as well. As for the look, I have become accustomed to the lacquered boards.

I have to agree, the lacquered boards have never been problematic for me. Just a Rick being a Rick.

A lot of Fender/Gibson players should be pleased about this. Guitarists I’ve talked to (outside this forum) have said the lacquered fretboards are part of their problems with why they don’t like Rickenbacker guitars.

My personal take: the lacquered fretboards has always been a trademark of Rickenbacker. My three Rics have lacquered boards. That said, I hope to have an opportunity to try a new one with no lacquer on the fretboard.

Frank Marino has a laquered board on his SG in his Agora Theater vid on YouTube on Somethins coming our way.

And what would be the reasoning behind this illuminated decision? I am not sure anybody has elaborated on that