rickenbacker will now not be putting finish on their fretboards… thoughts???

[Jeff Scott]

My only concern is the inlays on the new fretboard look a touch lower than the fretboard itself. Hopefully it's smoother.

What you're seeing is not the inlay sitting lower, it's the edge of the inlay against the fingerboard ("shadow line", so to speak). The inlays are installed higher than the plane of the fingerboard and then everything is sanded down to produce the final surface.

 

[adamrobertt]

I'm way late and didn't read but... imo this is a good move. Never should have been finish on them to begin with. It looks bad and feels bad.

 

[Searay]

I played one Saturday at my local shop. Didn't notice anything different besides the look. To that end, I think the Rickenbacker necks are very attractive.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are touching the actual board while you are playing, something may be wrong with your technique, just saying.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

The finish costs $32.89 a gallon.


not finishing the fretboard saves $49.32.

expect a price decrease next year as they pass the savings on to the consumer.

Ha! You're funny

 

[Rnr..........4]

So the question is should I hang onto my 2021 Rick with the lacquer board or sell and pick one of these up?

 

[Rnr..........4]

You all forget that between the lacquer old style and this new, un-lacquered versions is the matte finish Ricks. My matte black has the matte lacquer board and it's super smooth. The frets on the 4003S I have with the oil fingerboard look a lot cleaner tho. I did mention on another thread there is a slight difference in tone but it's pretty close.

 

[elgranluis]

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but, I bought a ric Guitar that should have come with an unfinished rosewood board (it’s a new , 2022 production model ). The board is finished and has that redish bubinga (?) board.

I know , it’s not a bass , but the 330 IS their top seller. If they’re going back to a lacquered fretboard on this one , then the 4003 could follow.

 

[FFEJY]

If they’re going back to a lacquered fretboard on this one , then the 4003 could follow.