NBD- Rick- May need some help

You got a great deal ... worst case scenario is you spend $400 to get it back in shape and then you have an $800 that can be sold for over $1000

If you live in Colorado then bring it by my workshop and I can fix it for you.

If not all of the Rick parts you need are available.

http://www.pickofthericks.com/categories/Rickenbacker-Parts/Rickenbacker-Electrical/

http://www.the-music-connection.com/ricpart.htm

www.rickenbacker.com

 

I suppose it's possible that FloridaTim lives in Colorado, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Tim, that's a pretty butchered up baby. If the neck is good and straight and the truss rods are OK (careful now with that), it's a good deal if you're willing to put the work into restoring it.

 

I kinda like the looks of that.

A little bit of cleaning up and replacing them rusty screws and that will look nice. Hope you get the electronics figured out.

Awesome price!!

 

Like Daveman said, pretty butchered up but I think you still got a good deal and the 70s Rick necks are the most comfortable necks I've ever played, bar none. Looks like you should be able to pull those EMGs and drop in Rick pups no problem - the bridge pickup route is probably intact under that kludge pickguard extension and the screw placement in said pickguard makes me think that the screw holes would be hidden once you restore the RIC chrome surround. Here's the official RIC wiring diagram: 4001 wiring but there's an easier one to understand at Joey's Bass Notes (he also has a wealth of Rick bass info that's been invaluable to me over the years, and I bought my Rick back in '80): Joey's Rickenbacker Maintenance

D and G strings not working is perplexing, though - does this mean that BOTH pickups are snafu?

Good luck with the project. If you decide to bail, let me know

 

Start with a new battery and work your way out... holy cow, $400? I don't think any of us here could say no to that.

 

If you end up restoring with an original Ric bridge, I'd like that BA bridge!!

 

Keep the aftermarket bridge, get a new guard from Tony at Pickguardian and a couple of new Hi-gains from Rickenbacker and rock that #*@%+!!!!!!!

 

For pickups, I would recommend these Ric-style pickups at Classic Amplification.
http://classicamplification.net/Pickups/Rick_pickup.htm

I just put one into my 8-string Ric and it sounds great.

 

Oh, and to actually answer your questions: (1) Yes, there are ready-made Rick wiring harnesses out there (check eBay) and (2) Yes, install Rick pickups - it won't quite sound like a Rick otherwise.

 

In a word, yes. For two reasons: (1) Macca used flats on his (albeit not Chromes) and (2) I had been warned by someone at RIC that the 60's and early 70's Ricks used relatively soft fret wire - the wrong rounds will eat them in no time.

 

I put rounds on all of my old Ricks and there was no problem.

 

Batteries on a vintage Ric? That's just wrong on so many levels

Nice find, and good luck getting her back into shape!