Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm in the market for a Fireglo 330 from around the time when they had vintage style cases - 1980 - 1991 or so. I see some on reverb from time to time, but one thing I notice is sometimes they look almost aged, like the finish is more matte or something, almost like an actual vinage rick, whereas others look more glossy and new and kinda plasticy. I prefer the more aged looking ones but they're kinda few and far between... and tend to come with more wear in general and sometimes needing a refret. What makes them look that way and can I do it myself?

Thanks!

Any chance you can post some specific examples?

A lot of them were reverb ads that are long gone. But I think most folks on this board will know what I'm talking about. A brand new rickenbacker is super glossy and shiny, whereas proper "vintage" ones and even just older ones are more matte, and that's what I want.

I'm curious about these more matte ones from the 80s and early 90s. Did they come that way, or did it become matte through some aging process?

No you can't do it yourself!

Older Rickenbackers use Conversion Varnish. Which requires expertise and equipment beyond but a handful of specialists. (Do a search on this site for "Conversion Varnish" and there will be lots of results)...

Newer RICs use a UV cured finish.

Here I’ll give you a couple examples.

This is an 88 330 for sale on reverb. Look at that checking! Here’s another one, an 89. Look at that gloss.
How have these guitars aged so differently??

Checking like that is very atypical for Rickenbackers, and indicates this guitar was subjected to quite drastic changes in temperature and humidity.

Unlike lacquer, a Rickenbacker’s Conversion Varnish finish is a two-part catalyzed system (meaning it needs a hardener to cure) and produces a very rugged finish that is able to expand and contract without checking like that.

Even if you look at photos of most Ricks from the 1960s, it’s very uncommon to find much checking and certainly not the deep checking normally associated with nitrocellulose lacquer (if you do, it’s a pretty good sign the guitar has been oversprayed with lacquer).

The color on CV finishes fades regardless of checking if it’s been exposed to direct sunlight. The ‘88 in this example definitely looked like the ‘89 at one point and faded/ambered to what you see now.

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote: ↑Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:18 am Newer RICs use a UV cured finish.

No, they have not used UV finish for some time, according to the factory. That was used for only a brief period.

I think it’s back to CV or some other finish system.

Good to know Collin.

I stand corrected.

From personal experience, the Rickenbacker that I own with the clear coat checking, is my JG 610 from January 1991.

It's finish has many cracks in the clear coat, although if you look at the guitar from more than eight feet away, I doubt you would notice it. It still covers the wood.

This image from the register entry shows it best. Lines, or cracks in the finish.
https://www.rickresource.com/register/u ... llsize.jpg

Perhaps it is just a late 80s/early 90s thing? Perhaps it was the temperature differential issue, bringing in a frozen instrument, and suddenly exposing it to room temperature?

Checking certainly can happen on CV finishes in some cases (not sure about the 80s/90s thing) but it’s rare and the checking is very fine and irregular compared to a lacquer finish.

It would certainly require exposure to significant temperature differences to cause checking in CV.

I can vouch for CV checking if it's exposed to extreme temperatures, and it is only in the top layer and fine. My 620/12 'Ruby' was stored for a number of years in an uncontrolled environment (Australian summer!). I was upset when I discovered, however I've become more relaxed over time and see it as honest wear and its badge of honour.
https://www.rickresource.com/register/u ... llsize.jpg