Rickenbacker Finish issues

[Fwarginator]

Hi, I'm considering buying a '74 Rick, which has seen some wear over the years. The finish on the back has been worn completely off in some sections, leaving the bare wood exposed. Other places are chipped, but not all the way through the wood. These are of course not cheap instruments, so I don't want to drop all this cash on it if the wood will cause any major issues. I probably won't have the cash to do a full refinish on it, but what would your recommend to just seal up the gaps until I do have that kind of money?

 

[mikeyswood]

Buy the bass you want.

Don't ruin another player's "mojo."

 

[john_g]

I guess it depends on how much you are buying it for...? If you are getting a good deal (I should say, a good deal on a Ric that is) then it might be worth it as long as the electronics/everything else is working.

 

[sedan_dad]

Are you gonna play it or will it be on display at home?

 

[Fwarginator]

It would of course be played. It's not the look of it that worries me, it's the risk of warping or other problems due to bare wood being exposed.

 

[HogieWan]

as I said in your other thread - people pay extra to have things like that done to new basses with no worries.

 

[kimokeo]

Unless you are planning on playing outdoors with a risk of getting the bare wood wet, you should not have a problem. 35 year old wood will not warp just by playing. If you are stoked about owning the Ric, buy it and enjoy.

 

[cassius987]

If the wood is totally exposed maybe you could put some kind of oil on it periodically just to be sure. That ought to ease your mind.

 

[Fwarginator]

Okay, thanks a bunch guys. That had me pretty worried haha.

 

[runwfo]

I would buy it and enjoy it as is. Many try to duplicate 30+ years of wear and tear. You got the real thing. I have a '74 or '75 Rick with a crappy refinish from the late 70's. I wouldn't dream of changing anything on it. I bounce between the Rick and a lowly SX Jazz. I actually prefer the feel and sound of the SX, but the Rick has a vintage 'vibe' that can't be matched.