Viv's Vivenbacker

[stuzl873213]

Didnt know you could get these in a veneer, mines just basswood. Veneer = take care

[wazkelly]

Didnt know you could get these in a veneer, mines just basswood. Veneer = take care

Hi Stuz, being a fiver and a maple top it looks like a special custom order as no RC kit comes that way as standard.

[Vivg]

Hi Stuz, being a fiver and a maple top it looks like a special custom order as no RC kit comes that way as standard.

The story goes like this. Always wanted a Ric, but every time I looked at one in a shop, I wasn't convinced they were worth the premium being charged. I also wanted a 5 string. They don't make those now, and when they did I understand they just added another string, making the neck a bit tight! I was also watching a lot of the Crimson Guitar videos, watching Ben build some very nice guitars. I decided I wanted to build a copy. Started surfing and found quite a few alternatives, eventually landing on PitBull and noted lots of people saying some very good things about the guitars. I also looked around this forum and saw what you guys were up to. I could see the kit would help me along a lot, save me money and yet let me customise into what I wanted. I emailed Adam and discovered PBG did a maple top and that I could possibly get a 5 string version. Also Adam was really helpful. The bottom line is a Rickenbacker is £2000-£2500. No five string available. I got a couple of quotes, just for comparison, and a 5 string Ric-a-like from a decent luthier would be £3500. If I come out above £600 I will be surprised although of course the cost of 4 weeks of sanding, glueing, soldering and staining needs to be considered! If the price goes up, it will be caused by my own inexperience or over confidence!

[Vivg]

Yes, the veneer is really really thin, I don't think it will take much sanding.