UP AT 4 AM...

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:11 pm

My brother owned a MGB and someone had shoe-horned a Ford 289 into it. I took it out one rainy night........first and last time. No thanks! I ended up in someone's front yard after doing at least one 360. :-0

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:07 pm

Back to the thread...

I just returned from a 100 mile round trip to pick up the 320. It's a MG, 90% original (prof-replaced tuners) about 7-8, in generally very good condition except for missing bridge cover and 1 1/2" diameter buckle rash on back. Bit of varnish missing on fretboard at 1st fret positions. Chrome and plastics excellent; intonation spot on, electronics perfect. And those Hi-Gains are strong! The tone variation with three Hi-Gains is better than either of my 2-toaster guitars by a factor of 5.

And did I mention, those Hi-Gains are powerful!

Black vintage case. Serial number UL 4501 (December '81).

I LOVE short scale guitars. They feel so...cozy to play.

And those Hi-Gains sure are powerful.

The figuring on the maple front is very nice; almost seems a shame to cover it with turquoise. So I'm thinking...autumnglo or maybe Blueburst? I dunno.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get my camera back from the office tomorrow. And then it's time for a teardown...I will have played it maybe 10 hours by then...

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 11:10 pm

Paul, you can understand now why some of us are so keen on hi-gains. Mind you, some of the EARLY toasters are actually MORE powerful than hi-gains. I believe that the modern hi-gain has perfectly balanced tone with power.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:30 am

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:42 am

It looks great Paul...almost seems a shame to do anything to it! Knowing you though, the end result will be pretty spectacular...

Nice pics BTW.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:49 am

Nice..... very clean hardware, too!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:11 am

Tony, that's why I feel like I'm molesting it. It'll look good when it's done, and I've always wanted a turquoise 325 like Melissa's, but...

Well, you know...

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:30 am

Paul, just excellent! It even looks better than your first post of it. And you gotta love the price. Near perfect other than the minor flaws you mentioned, which, judging by your 'desires' will be changed in short order.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:29 pm

Paul,
Very nice! I sure you will do a primo job if you refinish it, but such lovely grain. I've always been partial to MG myself.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:14 pm

Paul, that's a lovely little guitar you've got there.... Are you SURE you want to cover up that pretty wood grain? The MG looks nice.... maybe you could put gold guards and TRC on it. ....Of course, I would be flattered if you made yours to look like mine!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:24 pm

Dang, Melissa, I was not only gonna paint it like yours, I was gonna name it after you, since the idea came from seeing your 325 and going all weak in the knees...But I still am waffling.

But either way or any way the finish goes, the instrument will be somewhat different--I want to put toasters in the mid and neck position and leave the hi gain at the bridge, and of course do my special TRC design.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:22 am

How about Jangle Burst? (A transparent turquoise burst with gold guards and the special TRC, and Bigsby). Drool!

...Dean

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:28 am

Paul, I am in no way worthy to have a Ric named after me, but I am honored that you would think of doing that!

....However, I do think a "Meli B. signature model" has a nice ring to it (nobody can seem to pronounce my last name without hearing it first, so that's how I abbreviate it--I suppose you know something about having a name like that, eh, Paul?) It would be either a 325 or 350 in highly figured maple painted BBR with silver guards and TRC, checker binding on both the body and headstock, 2:00 f-hole, and a Bigsby.... My ultimate Rickenbacker fantasy guitar! ....I would have to have some serious lucky breaks with my music for that to ever be a reality!

I am sure Mr. Hall is reading this and either rolling his eyes or laughing out loud....

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:51 am

Bright-sprecker.

Interesting that you're very specific about everything on that fantasy guitar, but that as far as you're concerned, it could be either a 325 or a 350.

I'm the same way; I can play either scale length without a whole lot of adjustment on my part, but some people are really picky, which led to the selling on of a bunch of C58s.

I dunno, Melissa..."Meli B" makes you sound like someone from the MN chapter of the Spice Girls Fan Club.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:09 am

You got the name right; I'm impressed!

The Spice Girls? Ewwwwwww.... NO!

It's just easier to say "Meli B." than "Melissa Breitsprecher".... I'm also kind of playing on the name a little, as "Melissa" means "honeybee" in Greek.