Colors for 381

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:19 pm

Graham, the vast majority of solid-color 381s, it's safe to say, have straight-grained or slightly spalted or discolored wood under the paint. The really nicely-flamed wood is generally saved for the MG guitars.

On my visit to the factory last March, there were about 12-15 381s being bound prior to scraping and finish sanding. Three that I noticed were probably going to be MGs. The remainder would be burst (FG or MB) and solid colors.

My own 381, which is MB, has a nice ripple to the wood; nothing outrageous, but just enough to set off the burst. Obviously, a burst done over outrageous birdseye or flame, would just be too over the top, bordering on bling-tasteless.

Not to say that it wouldn't be a real rarity...

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 3:20 am

What's wrong with Spalted Maple?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 6:15 am

Nothing on the Zon Sonus or other very contempo instrument, maybe even a 4004, but could you imagine it on a more trad Rickenbacker instrument?

A 381 in spalted maple would probably have everyone wondering how long it had been left out in the rain...

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:12 am

I like spalted maple.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:44 am

Me, too, but not on a Rickenbacker, except perhaps the aforementioned 4004.

jwargowski · Post by **jwargowski** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:57 am

I've not seen the gold hardware before like on the one from Andrew's link. Is this generally available from Rickenbacker?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:05 am

It's not gold. It's just the lighting on the tailpiece.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:58 am

What's wrong with Spalted Maple? ]

It's too spalty for me.