In light of the discontinuation of some classics:
(Only Mr. Hall could truly answer this question) but I'd be interested in knowing what is next for Rickenbacker. What do you folks think?
I pose this question because a lot of Rickenbacker's appeal is in it's vintage style instruments. In the late 80's/early 90's I know I was excited by the Hamburg/El Dorado and was somewhat disappointed in them. I went and bought
a second 325 at that point.I certainly am a Rick fan, but truly like the older designs better.
I like the step they've taken with the 650's but will opt for a 300 series any day.
I understand the reasoning, however. You can't live in the past. Opinions?
Okay, what's next?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
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Nostrodamus
I have been drawn to this site, because of the powerful vibrations I'm feeling, and because of my proven ability to forsee the future. I see that I am within a great hall, methinks tis the NAMM show, January 2001! I'm looking down upon the booth that doth bear the name "Rickenbacker".
I can clearly see a musical instrument of some sort, that havest four thick strings. I'm getting a number, 4001. It is indeed a beautiful instument, polished like a jewel, shiny yet deep black in color, no, it's more like an extremely dark Burgundy. It's fretboard is of the finest charactered rosewood, with dazzling inlays that lookest like crushed pearl, shaped like a shark's tooth, and which reach from one end of the fretboard to the other. Around the deep Burgundy body of the instrument there is a thin strip of white binding ornamented with checkerboard at the edge. Two mirrored, shiny objects adorn the body of this new instrument, one, near the end of the body is shaped like a horseshoe, the other like a late twentieth century kitchen device. I hear the word "scatterwound" uttered in reference to these objects.
You are getting sleepy, Mr. Hall, very very sleepy...
I can clearly see a musical instrument of some sort, that havest four thick strings. I'm getting a number, 4001. It is indeed a beautiful instument, polished like a jewel, shiny yet deep black in color, no, it's more like an extremely dark Burgundy. It's fretboard is of the finest charactered rosewood, with dazzling inlays that lookest like crushed pearl, shaped like a shark's tooth, and which reach from one end of the fretboard to the other. Around the deep Burgundy body of the instrument there is a thin strip of white binding ornamented with checkerboard at the edge. Two mirrored, shiny objects adorn the body of this new instrument, one, near the end of the body is shaped like a horseshoe, the other like a late twentieth century kitchen device. I hear the word "scatterwound" uttered in reference to these objects.
You are getting sleepy, Mr. Hall, very very sleepy...
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Rob_Farrell
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headbanger
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Rod_Evans
I would love to see some 355's with solid colored paint jobs and crushed silver or mirrored pickguards. Leave the neck unfinished(like a 650) and give us hotrodded toasters! And throw on a bigsby. Give us clasic looks with the modern feel, please. How about a 355 with binding and a figured top?
Balance the old with the new!
Balance the old with the new!
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squirebass
- Veteran RRF member
- Posts: 1579
- Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2000 11:05 pm
I hope Nostrodamus is right. I'd like to see a bass with checkerboard binding and edge-to-edge inlays. There have been so many guitars in the vintage/Limited Ed. series with these features, but squat for bassists. The v63 and the Chris Squire Ltd Ed. have been the only options available to us bass players. I like John Hall's idea of having rotating Vintage series instuments offered for limited periods of time. The 4001v63 doesn't have to go away permanantly - I'd bet they will offer it again from time to time. And yes, I'd like to hear my new bass with the scatterwound pickups!
"This is the big one, Elizabeth, I'm coming to join ya, honey!"
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tomcollins
Yeah, I realize this is an old conversation, but I have to add my 2 cents in on this one. I've owned alot of Rics; in fact I've owned alot of every kind of guitar and I've known alot of guitarists... some famous and some not so famous. We've talked back and forth over the years and I've come to some conclusions about Rickenbackers. The first is that nobody seems to be cold regarding Rics- you either love them (as I do) or you hate them (and there are enough of those people around). Second, all Rickenbacker players prefer the "vintage" type guitars (I do not pretend to address bass players here; I just don't know that much about the bass community). Not necessarily actual vintage instruments, but the guitars with vintage appointments such as the smaller headstock, the vintage tuners, the full triagular inlays and, of course, the scatter-wound pickups. The reason all Ric players aren't playing "vintage" guitars, if what I am hearing is correct, is that the standard Rics are more available.
I really don't believe the expression "living in the past" is applicable where manufacturing a quality guitar is concerned. If it isn't broke, don't fix it. The Rickenbacker community is, in the scheme of things, a small, loyal community who recognize that their instrument, more than any other maker's guitar, bridges the gap of musical instrument and object d'art. Not only great to play but also great to simply look at.
I do not pretend to know the ins and outs of industry but, were I in a position to recommend a course of action to Rickenbacker, I would encourage keeping the structural improvements to the guitars (and, in this vein, consider the wider 660- type neck on all 12 string models),but return to the vintage appointments of the '60's on all the guitars. And, I guess, realize that probably no one will ever be able to knock the Telecaster and Stratocaster out of the hands of those who prefer this instrument (many companies continue to try), so don't waste time and money trying to appeal to that community. "Dance with who brought you". Thanks.
I really don't believe the expression "living in the past" is applicable where manufacturing a quality guitar is concerned. If it isn't broke, don't fix it. The Rickenbacker community is, in the scheme of things, a small, loyal community who recognize that their instrument, more than any other maker's guitar, bridges the gap of musical instrument and object d'art. Not only great to play but also great to simply look at.
I do not pretend to know the ins and outs of industry but, were I in a position to recommend a course of action to Rickenbacker, I would encourage keeping the structural improvements to the guitars (and, in this vein, consider the wider 660- type neck on all 12 string models),but return to the vintage appointments of the '60's on all the guitars. And, I guess, realize that probably no one will ever be able to knock the Telecaster and Stratocaster out of the hands of those who prefer this instrument (many companies continue to try), so don't waste time and money trying to appeal to that community. "Dance with who brought you". Thanks.
Some interesting points. I do like the smaller headstocks, but I am not hung up on vintage Ricks. I only own one right now that is vintage, but that's because at the time used was cheaper than new. Now I would prefer only new with a Rick. To me, a strict amateur, buying a guitar is like buying a car. I only go new. Since I'm not an expert, I can't afford potential problems. And I got them with the one I bought. So that's why I just purchased one right from the factory (via a dealer, of course). I don't even want one that's been hanging in a store. So would I never buy another used Rick? We can all change our minds -- if the deal was good and it was rare, then maybe. I'd probably be tempted on an albino 620.
As far as living in the past is concerned, I also agree. I wish some other "famous" guitar company would live in the past so that there would be some consistency. Ricks may be somewhat inconsistent from decade to decade, but those issues seem to be ones that can be dealt with.
As far as living in the past is concerned, I also agree. I wish some other "famous" guitar company would live in the past so that there would be some consistency. Ricks may be somewhat inconsistent from decade to decade, but those issues seem to be ones that can be dealt with.
What's next?
Naturally I hope Ric continues to make the 300 series guitars in-perpetuity. I have a 650 Atlantis and it's a nice guitar but, among my Rics, it's the last one I grab for.
What I would like to see would be the 330s, 1997s, and 360s (etc.) we already know and love available with different wood options -Spalted Maple tops, more Walnut, blonde-finished Ash, and perhaps a few exotic choices (Lacewood maybe). I would like to see a return of the 360F in all its splendor. For something new, why not a 360F Double Cut-Away?!?!
I would like to see Bigsby Trems offered on all models.
I envision Ric moving into incorporating graphite and synthetic materials. A Ric with ever more resonance!
I also envision myself as a beta-tester for all new models...
Yes, the future could be very bright indeed.
Of course, with four Rickies within an arm's reach of me, the present is lovely too.
Cheers, Noel
Naturally I hope Ric continues to make the 300 series guitars in-perpetuity. I have a 650 Atlantis and it's a nice guitar but, among my Rics, it's the last one I grab for.
What I would like to see would be the 330s, 1997s, and 360s (etc.) we already know and love available with different wood options -Spalted Maple tops, more Walnut, blonde-finished Ash, and perhaps a few exotic choices (Lacewood maybe). I would like to see a return of the 360F in all its splendor. For something new, why not a 360F Double Cut-Away?!?!
I would like to see Bigsby Trems offered on all models.
I envision Ric moving into incorporating graphite and synthetic materials. A Ric with ever more resonance!
I also envision myself as a beta-tester for all new models...
Yes, the future could be very bright indeed.
Of course, with four Rickies within an arm's reach of me, the present is lovely too.
Cheers, Noel