Is is necessary???

[ScottTunes]

I have a Rickenbacker 4001v63 MG that will be scarred for life do to previous owner's hacking... So I've decided to paint it... I'm leaning toward a dark blue pearl metallic, or better yet, if I can find it, a dark purple metallic (more toward the blue-ish side of purple)...

Should I paint the neck and headstock to match the body?? Or can I just paint the body??

What say you??????

[vishuddha]

Headstock definitely... probably don't need to paint the neck...

[thedudebrah]

I would vote for painting the back of the neck and headstock for continuity's sake, but don't paint the fretboard.

[GM60466]

Oh no not the neck.

[ScottTunes]

Originally Posted by GM60466

Oh no not the neck.

Hahaha!!! Wow! I didn't want to because it's quite a bit of extra work (just being lazy)...

Why do you say that???

[ScottTunes]

Originally Posted by thedudebrah

I would vote for painting the back of the neck and headstock for continuity's sake, but don't paint the fretboard.

Since this is also typical of RIC, I was thinking the same thing...

I'm a bit fussy, AND a bit lazy, and thought I'd ask for a consensus...

[MycooLeeyun]

I wouldn't touch the neck with paint. I've never seen a neck that was painted, it usually just has a nice finish on it to ensure maximum playability. I would think that putting a coat of paint over the neck would potentially affect the playability of your bass. Body and headstock would be a good combo..

[phangtonpower]

Originally Posted by MycooLeeyun

I wouldn't touch the neck with paint. I've never seen a neck that was painted, it usually just has a nice finish on it to ensure maximum playability. I would think that putting a coat of paint over the neck would potentially affect the playability of your bass. Body and headstock would be a good combo..

I think most ric's have painted necks. I don't own one, but my reiverhead also has a painted neck and it feels normal.

[mellowinman]

Before you do anything, post some photos of it in its current condition.

Please?

[ScottTunes]

Don't have any with it stripped of hardware.

Will post some soon...

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by ScottTunes

Don't have any with it stripped of hardware.

Will post some soon...

I think you're nuts if you paint that.

[smithplyr]

Don`t Paint it!!!

[jaxom]

I would leave it as is...

[johnson79]

It looks badass as it is. What's the issue?

[Johnny DeVille]

unless you have painted several and know what you are getting into and how to conquer all the tricks.....

Don't do it.

I did long ago and still regret it.

[HaMMerHeD]

Is is quite necessary. I can scarcely imagine how we could communicate without is.

[northernmonkey]

Leave it as it is. It looks cool

[f64]

If you haven't gained a proficiency painting Rics from past projects then find someone who has to do the job. If it's your first project, and you're serious, throw the whole guitar out now. Better yet, take it camping and use it to start the campfire. You'll get more value out of the bass that way and it won't be as embarassing.

[HaMMerHeD]

Seriously, it's just a Rickenbacker. It's not a sacred relic. It's just some wood, metal, and plastic. Paint it if you don't like it. Paint can always be taken back off if you don't like it.

[Bobster]

I'm not a "Ric person" and I can't tell much from the pic, except that the back pickup has been replaced (looks like another front pickup installed).

But, from what I see, I'd leave it as is. I actually like the Mapleglo. Instead, if you don't like the bass as modded, I'd spend the money on replacing the horseshoe pickup and mount to get it back to a more original sound.

I do like the pickguard though.

In the end it's your bass, but unless you're going to send it off to Pat Wilkins, or some other specialist, I'd leave it natural.

Best of luck with the project,

Bob