Viv's Vivenbacker

[Vivg]

Ok just a working title. First assembly pic of 5 string RC to follow here. Does anyone know where the sanding video can be found?

[chrissyinbkk]

Lots on youtube mate, this one is Pitbulls... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE40TZ38nmU

[wazkelly]

5 string Ric? Presume that was a special order and keen to see photos.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Cheers, Waz

[Vivg]

Thanks Chrissyinbkk and wazkelly. Initial pics to follow.

[Vivg]

Here you can see a picture of the Pitbull kit on arrival (with packing removed). All bits as requested, really nice wood, very expertly produced. Excellent binding. Nice nice 5 string Rick copy neck. Thanks Adam!

[Vivg]

Here you can see how it will look when I get the glue out… once I have carried much rubbing down.

[stuzl873213]

I am doing an RC-4 at the moment. Be careful not to over-sand as some finishes require it "rough". I am finishing body and neck before gluing them together. I think this will be easier.

You seem to have a nice piece of wood there, mine was pretty shit

[Vivg]

Hi Stuzl, thank you I am trying to watch a few vids on sanding to get some kind of clue. I have sanded the odd wall, car, cricket bat and 1 wooden floor. Probably be ok ;-0

My RC top is very nice and the binding is good too, however the control cavity is only part cut out, there are some machine marks on the sides and Adam suggested I need to sand down the neck pocket to get the neck in far enough. I guess I might use a dark stain on the back or even paint it. I am hoping to oil the front, however I also need to route the bridge pickup cavity as I have found some repro Rickenbacker pickups. I like the colour you are going for, I hope yours turns out great, I am trying to see what other people have done with the RC kits.

[Vivg]

And I think you are right, it makes no sense to immediately glue the neck, it would be sensible in most cases to sand the neck and body separately. Though a Rickenbacker 4001/2 is a solid through neck, so I guess in the factory they must sand with the body and neck together. I don't have much workshop space so keeping them separate will help a bit.

[wazkelly]

And I think you are right, it makes no sense to immediately glue the neck, it would be sensible in most cases to sand the neck and body separately. Though a Rickenbacker 4001/2 is a solid through neck, so I guess in the factory they must sand with the body and neck together. I don't have much workshop space so keeping them separate will help a bit.

Hi Viv, Nice kit.

Genuine Riccy's are neck through with maple 'wings' glued on. Being such a cumbersome shape finishing one with neck in place would be painful as it increases the risk of runs forming through trying to get coats of finish into all those nooks and crannies. There is a video on You Tube of a Rickenbacker Factory Tour that shows how things are done and definitely easier with machines doing all the hard work. By hand, on a set neck job it is much easier finishing them separately and then maybe some touch ups around the joint if required once glued together.

Cheers, Waz.