Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

About a month ago I purchased a 73 4001 with all the good stuff - toaster, checkerboard binding, old-style bridge and fullwidth inlays. The inlays are interesting as they aren't MOP - another transitional quirk. Anyways, in talking with the store, it sounded like it was a refinish of some sort and sure enough when it arrived it had a nasty natural finish. When I took off the bridge and pickguard what did I find but the remnants of Azureglo! Man that's sad! There was also a bit of extra routing around the neck pickup but it's minimal and fully hidden by the pickguard. My dilemma at this point is how to proceed with the refinishing. It would probably be easier (and cheaper) to put a professional natural finish on it, but I keep thinking that it would be cool to restore it to the original Azureglo. Opinions?

A real shame about the A/G finish being stripped Steve, as it would have been only the second one I,ve seen with the old features and that finish. The inlays are the ones that were used as the MOP was running out, around April/May 73 then they go to the shorter style.
I,d go back to Azureglo personally as it,s a cool rare combination and of course it was the original colour.
My 72 is the in the same boat after being stripped of it,s J/G or possibly B/G finish.

Seafoam green will probably be my choice.

The inlays are also similar if not the same as the ones used prior to the crushed MOP (prior to '64?). Mine look like white pigment swirled into resin but not totally mixed. The inlays have kind of a marbley look to them.

Steve, I would definatley go back to Azureglo. (make her shine again),

Andrew, burgandyglo, (old style, eggplantglo, would be a great choice.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Fireglo ...... !!

Are you sure about that Jim? You have been a little wishy washy about that color. I am not sure if you really like it.

Yes, Fireglo !!!

Fireglo is always good

Azureglo or Seafoam green!!

My '73 will probably end up SG at some point.....

My Votes For Azureglo

Who would restore it to its original finish?

Me. lol

one of the cool things about a 70's ric bass is the walnut stripe ... I like finishes that show that stripe ...

The body has a number of dings and general wear that make me think it would be easier to refinish in mapleglo. I have a great local luthier who I should be seeing this week. As much as I'd like to see it go back to Azureglo, I'll have to see what he thinks about the project.

Hm... More '70s 4001 magic... Back to Azureglo? Definitely.