Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

While browsing the shops over here and eBay also, I noticed that the center stripe of darker wood that runs through the back of the neck varies in width..
My 360 has it about 1cm wide and I think it's prettier that way (no, not because it's mine) but it seems a larger width is more common (and no matter if 6 or 12stringers).

Is it just another 'depends who made it' thing (the kind that makes Ricks so different and enjoyable/fascinating) or does this have some building necessity ?
thanks
a

Hey Axel, that's an interesting observation and question. That center piece of wood on my 360/6 neck measures 5/8" wide, which is 15.9mm.

Hey Axel, that's an interesting observation and question. That center piece of wood on my 360/6 neck measures 5/8" wide using a tape, which translates to 15.9mm on a ruler. I'm going to guess (even though I didn't do so well on the pickup screw question) that the layered pieces of wood make the neck stronger. Best regards.

mine is 7mm wide - I guess it's a weak neck...

THe middle stripe has been differing thickness of walnut or shedua over the years .

The only reason(s) that this would change is availability ,cosmetic or a thinking of perhaps wearing of walnut was faster than maple and after a few years the walnut was showing/feeling glue line after the finish was worn...shedua is a similar looking wood and is harder.That was the wood used on the 1970's for a shunk stripe down the neck.

As to ,what sizes are they ..I have no idea .I never measured them .I don't make copies.

So thin stripes are made of walnut, large ones of shedua, or the opposite, or...both?

Anyways, while (still) browsing (can't help it), I got to this:

- c1990-1995, almost always a thin stripe (whether 6/12/330/360)
- since the very late 90s, always a large one
- all vintage reissues, large stripe of course

But the more recent acoustics, at least the few I have seen, all had a thin stripe.
Only aesthetic?

The switch between very late 80s (thin) and very late 90s (large) makes me think there must have been an engineering choice/test/experiment around there - am I right?

Also, why no stripe on 4003s - 4001s were pretty good looking with it (as were the "macca" walnut wings).

Ok, it's only superficial looks I'm talking about here - great instruments anyway. (but the question is buggin' me)

1960's -walnut thick
1970 some walnut in the early decade
Thin stripe -Shedua until the 4003 era

Now ...........?I don't know what they use as I don't see a lot of new basses .

I do see more V63 than anything else in the USA/Pacific Northwest,as far as basses are concerned.

Walnut seemed to be the center stripe on the CW 12 string I worked on .
I'll bet JH/RIC has found a good source of domestic walnut and is using that currently.

thanks mark!

As was stated, Walnut and Shedua are lookalikes, as well as being about the same structurally. We have and will continue to use both interchangeably, depending on quality, availability, and naturally, price. Right now it's all Walnut. If there's a preference in our shop, it's for Walnut, as the Shedua dust can make you sneeze seriously.

I can second that sneeze factor!!!!

Althought the 'Hong Kong' rosewood for fretboards smell great!!!!!!!! We used it in the shop as an air freshener ...if you get my drift.

right'o, teh question has stopped buggin' me
thanks to both of you lads
a