Hondo II Rickenbacker 4001 copy restoration project

P

PeteSix

Nov 30, 2009
17
9
4,916
Derby UK
www.myspace.com
#1
Hi all,
I’ve acquired a Hondo II Rickenbacker 4001 copy - the ‘Peter Hook’ bass. Don’t worry - it cost me next to nothing so I thought it will be a fun restoration project. But A LOT of stuff will need replacing, so I’m looking for some advice.
First of all - to a casual observer, it looks like a fairly authentic/faithful repro of an actual 4001. Does anyone know if they were pretty close dims wise? I am wondering if generic replacement parts aimed at Rick 4001s would be a like for like swap? Stuff from All Parts etc?
Neck is straight, truss rod is working. Body is in reasonable condition. Frets have mild wear. Here’s the state of everything else though:
Tuners: rusted, They turn, but are probably full of grime. They’re those Japanese 70s style tuners. Smaller posts than typical Fender style posts. Does anyone make these - with the 60s/70s style keys? I would like to stay period authentic if possible.
Nut is missing - have ordered a bone nut of the correct size.
Neck pickup - mounting screws (and springs) are missing. Does anywhere sell the correct length for this?
Pick guard - cracked in a couple of places, one of the corner pieces is snapped off where the screw has been tightened too much. Will a standard 4001 guard fit, or will I have to get one cut?
Bridge pickup surround - this is probably the most urgent replacement - the original is shot. The chrome is rusted and pitted so much it will have to be replaced. Suggestions for suppliers welcome.
Tail piece is intact and in reasonable condition (string mutes’ rubber is perished) but the bridge is missing. Could I get just this part or will I need to buy a whole tail piece replacement (I know All Parts do these) Any advice gratefully received!
Thanks!
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#2
A Friend had an Aria one from the early 70's It it is possible they were made in the same factory so I will use his experience and hope it helps. He was able to get a Hipshot bridge to fit. The pick guard will probably have to be made. You can use the current one as a template.
You should be able to measure the length of the pickup screws. Rather than messing with springs, you can use surgical tubing which you cut to size.

Good luck.
 
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#4
For the pickup screw length, measure the depth of the route and get screws that won't hit the bottom. The surgical tubing @RSBBass mentioned is a good idea, I have a couple feet of it lying around. PM you address, and I'll send you one; it can be cut with scissors.

Ya want a new pickguard, or at least one that isn't broken? Try this.

Loading…

reverb.com

Here's the bridge you need, that's assuming your Rick copy is actual size.

www.ebay.com

NEW - Bridge And Tailpiece For Rickenbacker Bass - CHROME 645208001833 | eBay

Other alphabets (Cyrillic, Japanese, Chinese, etc.) will not be translated and your item will be delayed. We do not accept wire transfers.
www.ebay.com

Finally here's the bridge pickup surround.

www.ebay.com

Used Rickenbacker Bass Treble Pick up and Chrome Pickup ring! | eBay

<p>Clearing out our parts department here at West Seneca Music Center! Over the course of 40 years we pile up a lot of parts and pieces for repairs and such and now we are offering them to you! Here’s a Used Rickenbacker Bass Treble Pick up and Chrome Pickup ring that came off a bass years ago...
www.ebay.com

The above just requires money. I think I have a solution for the tuners, but that's another story, and requires some work. I'm not going to post a tutorial for the tuners unless there is some activity from the OP.

I have no idea how much customs will charge you for all these imports.
 
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#5
looks like @sissy kathy hit the high points. Another source for parts is Rickysounds UK. Haight Ashbury Music of SF has some parts on a random basis, as does the Rickenbacker Boutique store. Also check out Retrovibe UK, they have some pretty convincing parts that are drop in for a lot less money than OEM. One caveat: the Allparts pickguard is kinda cheap PVC with sharp edges, I bought one ages ago, still sitting in a drawer someplace. PM me if you want it anyway. No gaurentee it would fit this bass though. Pickguardian makes an excellent repro guard, but $$. As far as tuners, either the "wavy Grovers" (hard to find) or get the real Schaller labeled Ric tuners. Hipshot makes a set too, I think they are the HB5's. Stock Ric tuners have smaller "ears", shorter tuner shafts that the ears are mounted on, and 3/8" dia. posts. If you just slap on some Fender style elephant ear tuners, it will look really "Jug Eared". Can the current tuners be disassembled and restored? Since this is a 70's "Lawsuit" bass, and not a genuine Ric, I don't think you have to be slavish to "period correct", they weren't 100% "correct" in the first place. Make it yours, fun project. Looks like it has an old style single-action trussrod? I don't see double rods or a bullet style head poking out. Does it turn freely and work to add relief to the neck?
 
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#7
Wow, some excellent advice here - I haven’t checked in for a few days, I’d thought I wasn’t getting any traction.
I’ve sourced the bridge and the pick guard from a uk retailer of All Parts stuff called BTN Music. I’m hoping that the guard will just drop on as I’ve looked at photos of real Ricks stood next to Hondo II basses in comparison threads and videos and out of all the lawsuit Ricks, the Hondo looks very close, down to the bridge pickup surround (unlike the Ibanez from that time which had a completely different setup there).
I’ve ordered the pickup surround from retrovibe - also recommended here. A bone nut is on the way too.
I think I will have to get a truss rod cover made - there are tons on eBay, but they all have the Rick logo on and I don’t want to be seen to be trying to pass this off as real.
I’ve had the tuners covers off and they are pretty rusted. They could probably be cleaned up, but I think the ones that you get on the newer Squier Bronco basses look like they might fit. The keys have a nice vintage shape but they’re the smaller posts. I’ll do some measuring before I buy a set, of course.
The truss rod is good. I’ve tightened and loosened it without any real problem. It was a bit gummed up but it cleaned up with a tooth brush.
I’ve taken the electronics out and apart from being a bit dusty, they look ok and all the solder joints are still intact. The 3 way toggle switch is corroded to hell though, so I will probably replace it. If the old pots crackle when turned, I will replace them.
If you guys are interested, I’ll post pics here as I progress with the project.
 
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#10
Definitely post photos, I love restoration jobs. If you got the Allparts pickguard, get a utility blade and just run it lightly around the edge of the guard at a 45 degree angle to take that sharp edge off. I think they just CNC them and throw them in a bag. You might get lucky on the hole spacing, but the old holes will be covered anyway so.. . As far as TRC covers, I have seen blank white or black ones in the Ric shape on Aliexpress, so you could always add a custom water slide decal logo.
 
#11
I'm going to have to agree with @Gilmourisgod, the Retrovibe pickups are top quality, I've bought the bridge pup for an RB-414 and it sound very impressive. I also have a set on a a Retrovibe 'Telenbacker' and that combination is spot on! Retrovibe gets them wound in Korea but to their own specifications, so they are very close to the rick sound.
:thumbsup:
I took the old bridgepiece off the RB and replaced it with the Hipshot bridge - if that's an option for you I'd thoroughly recommend it.
It's the same rick o like Chinese bridge as as @sissy kathy has posted earlier.
Failing that and depending where you live (if in UK) you can have the old bridge off my RB if you pay just the p&p, it's in my drawer just gathering dust. I've never posted to US before but as long as you pay P&P and whatever customs charge? you can have it FOC as well. Bear in mind it's a weighty old thing so I'm not sure about economy for you.
Either way, hope your refurb goes great and do post some piccies as you work through it. :thumbsup::)
 

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