Rickenbacker binding

[ricfunk74]

I posted a while back about the binding rot on my '72 Rickenbacker 4001. I was able to purchase replacement binding from Winfield Vintage. Today, I received a $500 quote to replace the binding and that does not include the finish work! I have $100 into the binding itself already. Does this seem excessive? I've never had binding redone and I wasn't prepared to hear this.

 

[sissy kathy]

Sounds like a 'Go Away' price to me. Meaning they'll do it, but don't really want to, and are trying to make you not want to too.

 

[ricfunk74]

That was my thought too.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I'm a complete amateur ,and managed to pull it off, so replacing the binding itself isnt that difficult. If the body has to be repainted and the binding scraped, that is a good bit of extra work, though $500 seems high Minus refinish. Id shop around a little, but don't expect this to be cheap. I have great admiration for people who do this kind of restoration for what works out to minimum wage or less. You had the same sticker shock I did on the Winfield binding, but with only two known sources for the correct material, they can charge what the market will bear. I'd post on Ricresource, some incredibly good Ric restoration luthiers and refinishers on tap over there. Good luck with it, hope you bring that old bird back to its Glory Days.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Get an estimate from Davis Guitar Works :: Luthier for Custom Rickenbacker Restorations and Classic Designs. Then you can determine if your first estimate is reasonable.

 

[ricfunk74]

I recommended Larry to the OP, earlier this morning,when he posted this same thread on the RRF.

I emailed Larry Davis. The bass is not with me now, so I can't send pictures. I'll see what he says!