Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

this is a december 2020 satin mapleglo model, with the checkerboard binding. unlike every picture ive seen of these models, the binding is yellowed and notably in some parts more than others. i just think it’s kinda annoying. is there a way to make it unyellowed? is it the upper finish that’s causing the discoloration? will rubbing it down past the layer reduce the yellowing?

Reverend USA guitars have white phenolic sides and are prone to yellowing. Some owners have used Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (mildly abrasive) with satisfactory success to remove the yellow. Now that there is a sheet (vs. sponge) version of this on the market, I’d be inclined to use these for greater control of area being cleaned. You can first try this on a small section of binding in an inconspicuous location (e.g., near lower strap button…?). Start slow and see how it goes.

The yellowed binding on my '74 4001 is the main reason I don't have checkered binding on it. The yellowed look is just too cool to remove.

That's not yellowing! That is the special 2020 run of binding in "smoke burl".
But in all seriousness, I would let it be.
Chalk it up to more character.
My Starfire bass yellowed evenly and I like it.

The smoky look makes me wonder if it is a reaction to the case materials.
Also, you can see it a little over the wood, too.
I wonder if you sand it how far you would have to go?
Totally take off the clear coat or just a little?
Let us know how far down it takes to get rid of it.
But I would not worry about it.

The only truly White area/thing I see on that bass is the pickguard. Perhaps replacing that with an off-white color would bring everything back to congruent shades of harmony. Pickguardian probably could fix you up.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pickgua ... nt=gws-wiz

here’s a few more pics. also, pics of the original bass from its sweetwater photo shoot when it was new. (next post)

i got this used very very recently

from sweetwater, though of course i didn’t get the bass from them in this exact condition. this must have been shot in december 2020.

another thing i’ve noticed is that the discoloration is only the single ply portion of the checkerboard binding. the strip of white and black blocks is still white, or whiter than the yellowish binding strip above it.

That is a gorgeous bass.
I would not even worry about it.
If it is a comfortable and good playing/sounding bass I would not mess with it at all.
Things discolor over time. Chalk it up to patina.
Eventually your clear coat on the fingerboard will start fogging up next to the frets. Mine is a 2016 and this has already started.
Just comes with the territory. Things off-gas, crack, stretch, move over time.

But see how quickly the binding went from pristine white in Dec. 2020 to (nicotine?) yellow in about a year’s time. Maybe your seller was a heavy smoker. If not, will you want to refurbish the binding every 12-18 months? I think you’d be regretting the too-gradual-to-notice wear & tear that would occur over a decade. Liquid based agents may eventually seep in under the binding and create their own havoc.

I’d use the Magic Eraser once, if you feel you really have to. After a while changes (discoloration, minor scratches, etc.) won’t seem to be great concerns; sort of like when you buy a new car, when every little ding and scratch is troubling at first, but gradually they just seem to be just part of the deal with ownership. All these guys here suggesting to do nothing but enjoy it seem to reflect that wisdom. (Don’t worry, be happy!)

Well, we all have our own values and desires, so do what you must. If you wait a few months, you may change your mind. Anyway, congrats!

Keep in mind SW appears to be using pro photo and lighting equipmunk.

If you get famous, people will want their binding yellowed just like yours!! They will pay double for the replica model!

I don't see any yellowing at all in those pics.

Wear future yellowing with pride, and I'm quite surprised this could have happened to a new bass, I still don't see it.

Usually it would be about 10 years before you start seeing any serious real aged yellow binding.

By the way it will not affect sound or playability.

So my advice is play it and stop worrying, if you want brand new, just by a new bass every year. LOL
Good luck,
Dirk

I thought Rick went to a non-yellowing finish years ago, or am I just imagining that?

teeder wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 9:39 am I thought Rick went to a non-yellowing finish years ago, or am I just imagining that?

Around 2007 they tried a UV-cured finish that wasn't supposed to yellow, but I think they quietly went back to whatever they were using before. I'm very fuzzy on this... hoping someone with better memory chimes in.