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Birthday: Ibanez Rickenbacker COPY!!!

Spinal Tapper

Spinal Tapper

Nov 15, 2007
6,797
348
Chicago
soundcloud.com
#1
Hey yalls! I've been GASsing for one of these Rick copies for quite some time. I came across a local seller and couldn't pass up the deal - afterall, yesterday WAS my birthday...I had to treat myself...this particular copy is an Ibanez - maybe a 76 or so, from what I've researched online.

The bass was covered in reflective vinyl pinstripes. Looks like a pro job from far away, but up close, u can see small faults in the "modification" and where the white tape was starting to discolor and peel.

The owner said it was taped up like that before he got it, so the stripes could've been on there for 20+ years. Regardless, I knew they had to go. I'll post some progress pics when I get her back together - but the stripes are gone and the original black finish is not damaged at all! :hyper: :p

Here's some pics
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Other than that, the bass also appears to have had the PU's replaced by humbuckers - it really carries some serious low end - varying from the traditional "rick" tone. I love the sound and feel of this bass. I don't even think it will need a setup anytime soon.

Needless to say, I'm extremely happy with my purchase.
 
#5
Ah! Too late! Trust me, up close the stripes looked pitiful - although the application was very straight and accurately spaced (don't know how the previous dude DID that so precise), they're yellowing and peeling.

I stripped them immediately last night when I took it home. Not my style at all either. Got rid of all traces of the sticky stuff with no solvents or chemicals, just a moist rag and some elbo-grease.

The neck is a bolt-on and it has the checkerboard binding around the edges, which I hear is more rare for these copies.
 
#7
speedkills said:
Wow...other than the fact that I got dizzy from the stripes :)

How much?
Click to expand...

I got it for just over $200 - and I picked it up locally. Seems like a deal to me. Electronically, it's all in tact, the PU's and wiring are very clean. Has a scratchy jack - I'm gonna try the old sandpaper trick, hopefully don't have to replace the whole piece. Also missing a washer/ring around the switch by the knobs so it wobbles a little.
 
#10
Thanks for the responses everyone. There needs to be a forum dedicated to these Rick copies - I swear, everywhere I look through Google turns up random postings about them, but no concrete information.

I'm having an issue with the bridge humbucker that seems to have fallen into the body cavity of the bass when I took the pickguard off...when I screw the bridge PU cover back on, it seems to be too shallow in the body beneath the strings...

there was nothing underneath holding it up, but a spring with a screw going through each side that don't seem to do anything...

anyone know whats up with that?

I'll try and take pics when I get home to show ya'll
 
#13
KramerBassFan said:
Reminds me of a Ric' that Michael Anthony of Van Halen had....
Before you pulled the stripes that is. :D
Click to expand...

Whoa! It's probably what the original owner was going for I'd bet...ya, anyways, I'm glad I removed them though. It's so mean lookin now. Although, traces of the stripes remain on the pickguard as the white has faded yellow where the stripes weren't...might look cool once I put her back together though.
 
#15
Here's a couple shots with the stripes removed (except for the headstock)

We're getting there though! Any ideas about how to raise the PU in the bridge? It seems to have sunk into the cavity - there's only a spring with a flat screw through each side of the PU but it doesnt tighten or want to hold...

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#16
Spinal Tapper said:
Whoa! It's probably what the original owner was going for I'd bet...ya, anyways, I'm glad I removed them though. It's so mean lookin now. Although, traces of the stripes remain on the pickguard as the white has faded yellow where the stripes weren't...might look cool once I put her back together though.
Click to expand...

Awesome!
I'd link you to a video of him play it.. but i cant seem to find one at the moment? :confused:
I'll look again...
 

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