Zoner Posted September 18, 2007 Posted September 18, 2007 Saw a craigslist ad for "electric guitar, amp, cords, distortion peddle - $150" along with a blurry pic of what looked to be an item of interest to me. Long story short, I got a Spectra by Dean Markley 122a combo amp, a Rocktek Distortion box, some crappy cords and - a Fireglow April 1965 Rickenbacker model 425 in an old Ibanez "Lawsuit" case. The guitar has some serious mods (Grovers, Gibson "harmonica" bridge, smoke plexi PG with Duncan Strat-sized humbucking pickup, missing truss rod cover - it is a mongrel for sure!) but since the pickguard covers almost the whole body, it should go back to close to stock with little indication of the brutality it has endured. I remember seeing Tom Petty rocking one of these back in the day and I have always wanted another "small" Ricky. Anyone know where I can get a white plexi pickguard made and source a "toaster" pickup? Or maybe since it is messed up already I should drop a triple-coil in this sucker? Could be some big fun. Thanks. Z
Steve Haynie Posted September 18, 2007 Posted September 18, 2007 As it has been said before... "This thread is worthless without pictures."
Guest pirateflynn Posted September 18, 2007 Posted September 18, 2007 That sounds like a lot of fun for $150!
Zoner Posted September 18, 2007 Author Posted September 18, 2007 Here is the guitar. I didn't figure anyone was interested in the other crap, although the Spectra amp is actually a decent sounding rig and will be a big upgrade for my daughter who has been rocking a tiny Yamaha GA-5. Plus she has been bugging me for "some of those cool pedals you always step on". The star is a nicely rendered MOP inlay. You can see the tinfoil "shielding" under the smoke PG, and the pickup is a Lil' Screamin' Demon of all things. I just learned that Rickenbacker will not sell a truss rod cover unless you give them the old, broken one. WTF??? Whadda ya think I should do - restore or go totally custom??
Steve Haynie Posted September 18, 2007 Posted September 18, 2007 You can start looking into what the guitar would be worth once it is restored. (If there has been any routing under the pickguard that could hurt you. Screw holes are another thing to consider.) Sometimes guitars are parted out for more than the whole guitar is worth. The more original parts you need, the more you are going to have invested. You got everything so cheap that you likely have a lot of room to come out way ahead. I say to go for the restoration if you can do it without looking like you still have a beater in the end. It will be better for you if you are in a situation where you have to sell in a hurry or if you want to make a trade later on.
Submariner85 Posted September 19, 2007 Posted September 19, 2007 Great score for 150 but that is one butt ugly pickguard
Brooks Posted September 19, 2007 Posted September 19, 2007 Great score for 150 but that is one butt ugly pickguard if a 19 yearold john lennon could time travel, he'd kick your ass if you'd say that to his face
Zoner Posted September 19, 2007 Author Posted September 19, 2007 Great score for 150 but that is one butt ugly pickguard Yes. Yes it is. But it's Custom! It is actually a pretty good copy of the original PG just done up in a different color - the stock piece would have been white plexiglass (or clear plexi with a white backing). I got it strung up and adjusted (both!) truss rods, and I'll be darned if it doesn't play pretty smooth and sound tough as hell. Reminds me a lot of a Fender Esquire. It has a nice "bell tone" and sustains like mad - me likey! Too bad Rickenbacker are such d$%ks about selling a truss rod cover - or any "vintage repro" parts for that matter. Z
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