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63 RICKENBACKER DONE

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:35 pm
by DGNR8
And so, the grand finale. I have built a number of guitars in the past two years and I have finally reached the end. Sorry to blow all my money shots in one weekend. Once I figured out how to wire properly, I cleared the pipes. I also wanted to wrap things up before my trip. I don't have any weird premonitions because I already know I am about to change. When I get back I am going to have to start moving these things out of the house, which will mean making some tough choices.

It's a little sloppy, but I had a number of things to do besides painting. I thought it wouldn't look right with new paint, so I cut a few corners and just let it happen. The cavities were over-routed, and it was suggested that it could compromise the neck strength. Not only did I plug the holes with hard maple blocks, but I also lined them with carbon strips that are stronger than steel, but light as plastic. I KNOW it was overkill because I didn't allow for much room for the pickups and they stick up a bit. The action is not as bad as it looks in the large inset. Compare the gap to the pickguard thickness. But it is a little high, and quite short. Yet looking at the early John Lennon photos, he was playing a shortscale.

It suffers a bit without the real bridge. I can't turn the Sorkin wheels without running into the pick guard. I was going to try to find some course thread 4mm nuts, but of course the bastard hardware store was all out. So even better, I got a small bag of washers, which gave me more flexibility. As it turned out, I tightened the wheels down all the way and then used two washers on each side. The pups are repros of the newer Ric high gains, because toasters are too expensive. The guard is a repro that has been scratched up to look older. The pots came in a harness with a few other Ric-only pieces so that the small details would be right. It's light, and all maple. The rosewood on the neck is almost as thick as the neck! My solders are totally clean and the wires drop right in.

I had to put it with the Big Muff I bought from Light Rail because it makes the guitar looks even smaller.

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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:40 pm
by robert(original)
wow, i remember that thing looking like a burnt mess of butter.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:50 pm
by Mike
Excellent solderwork.

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:56 pm
by Reece
Fucking Lovey.

Sonds?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:10 pm
by robert(original)
that wiring does look pretty bad ass!

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:12 am
by More Cowbell
Damn you've been busy. Looks Ace.

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:48 am
by DGNR8
Thanks again. These things have been languishing in my basement. This represents over half a year of work, off and on. The maple was scorched from a heat gun, but it sanded up fairly well. I was pretty obsessed for a while. It's amazing what you can produce when your marriage is tanking.

I will make sonds next week. I am out from tomorrow until the 15th to visit my ex-wife in Denver. The doctor is now saying she may not last the week. I am reading about dying well. What it amounts to is allowing a family to get all their shit into one sock. People come together over grief, especially when it's their last chance to reach out. My connection to them is pretty tenuous.

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:55 am
by BobArsecake
Wow that looks ace! Though honestly I think some standard klusons would have looked better. Great work, as seemingly always! :D Also, that 325 Lennon has there is a 20.5" scale :o