Ricky finish checks?

[Gilmourisgod]

You were lucky to find the CB, the last two sources of CB, Shellex of Germany and Winfield Vintage in the States are both sold out, permanently, apparently. Ric either still has a source, or they are working through old stock, but they dont sell it. I have enough for (1) bass and I was damn lucky to get it. Got a Lemmy style 4004 planned for it eventually.

 

[rickdog]

I love seeing all these old players' basses! I need to stop browsing Talkbass and wear mine out some more.

@Spoonbender, the magic is in the old wood... and maybe a genuine Rickenbacker scatterwound reissue toaster pickup. That should be an instrument worth keeping for the rest of your life (may it be a long one!) no matter how you finish it.

 

[fjbass78]

I’m refinishing a dumpster 1974 Rickenbacker 4001. I don’t want it to look like a 2020 glossy wall hanger, so a very light relic finish. My question: do old Rick finishes check? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.

my 68 has some checking but
Might be hard to see here

 

[Gilmourisgod]

A little checking? Thats a checker-fest.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Rick relic job? Just make sure the mute doesn't work then bend the tailpiece upwards a bit and you're good to go. Bonus points for microphonic pickups and strap button screws that are pulled out of their holes.

 

[Picton]

Rick relic job? Just make sure the mute doesn't work then bend the tailpiece upwards a bit and you're good to go. Bonus points for microphonic pickups and strap button screws that are pulled out of their holes.

LOL!

My '79 has three out of those four issues! "Naturally," too; I didn't need to take a crowbar and pry up the tailpiece.

The finish is in great shape though, other than some old buckle rash up high on the back. OP, mine's an Azureglo, which is opaque, but you can see where the shedua strip is telegraphing through the finish if you know to look for the seam lines.

 

[Ric5]

I’m refinishing a dumpster 1974 Rickenbacker 4001. I don’t want it to look like a 2020 glossy wall hanger, so a very light relic finish. My question: do old Rick finishes check? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I'm going to do it blue boy with a hint of amber to "green it up".

That will look great; I prefer the "greened-up" look, myself.

Thanks guys. I DO like the grain on this one, but I fell in love with blue boy. I wonder if I could do it with enough translucency to have the grain and skunk stripe show through?

I'm not sure if that will look/work well with BB, IMO. Solid looks great in that color.

 

[bobyoung53]

I’m refinishing a dumpster 1974 Rickenbacker 4001. I don’t want it to look like a 2020 glossy wall hanger, so a very light relic finish. My question: do old Rick finishes check? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.

Not very often.

 

[Koshchei]

They claim their proprietary finish has longevity: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here, apparently George Costanza is applying a clear to a fireglo finish:
View attachment 4065545

It's not a lie if you believe it!

 

[Jackcrow]

Here’s a ‘74 4001 I used to have. For reference:

 

[LUCE]

'74 Maple Glo 4001 here. Not a hint of checking, binding is clear white, and not a hint of finish yellowing.

 

[jbhaugh]

50 years of abuse...View attachment 4065907View attachment 4065910

Pretty sure Squire's has been refinished at least once. Regardless, every Rick of any vintage I have ever laid hands on has had very thick finish on it and I have never seen one check.

 

[eddybuzzard]

Pretty sure Squire's has been refinished at least once. Regardless, every Rick of any vintage I have ever laid hands on has had very thick finish on it and I have never seen one check.

But you have now!

It's rare indeed, but it does happen.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...every Rick of any vintage I have ever laid hands on has had very thick finish on it...

Not my experience at all.

 

[Michael Simpson]

Congrats on the purchase!

I also have a '74, in mapleglo. No finish checking whatsoever, it has slightly "yellowed" over time though. I believe they actually used a type of varnish as a clear coat, rather than lacquer but I could be mistaken on that.
Here are some pictures for reference

 

[Spoonbender]

 

[Spoonbender]

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Wow! That Blueboy must have gone through a sudden temperature change at some point in it's life. Those are rare enough I'd consider a Pro Refin.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Wow! That Blueboy must have gone through a sudden temperature change at some point in it's life. Those are rare enough I'd consider a Pro Refin.

I maybe wrong, but I think the op refinished this bass as such.