What can we build for you?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu May 29, 2003 3:16 pm

Here's the premise: Rickenbacker wants to make a bit more dough (times is tough all over), so they'll build a ric to your wishes. What'll it be? A solid body 4005? A 4003/5/8? 27 frets? A 325 body? 5.1 ric-o-sound? Go for it!!! (this is only a test).

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu May 29, 2003 4:15 pm

Just make me a 4004Cii5 already !!! Preferably in a transparent black finish, chrome or brushed chrome hardware.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu May 29, 2003 4:22 pm

A 4004Cii5 in natural with extremely figured Maple front and back, crushed pearl-all-the-way-across fingerboard markers, chrome hardware, Hipshot A-style bridge and Ultralight tuners, toaster pickups, VVT controls, Shedua strip down the middle of the neck like the old 4001 basses and a white nameplate. I think that should do it for me and maybe a matching fretless one with a blank Ebony fingerboard plus a matching 4 string fretted!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu May 29, 2003 5:31 pm

Wow ... a Ric custom shop ... that would be sooo cool ...

Hey John Hall ... Here's an idea ... license some custom shop to make custom Rics ....

I'd like a 4003s5 mapleglo ... a 4003s8 jetglo ... a 4004L5 .... a 4005 fireglo ... gee I don't have enough money for all the stuff I want ...

How about a line of Ric bodies and Ric necks ... bolt on variety for guys like me who like to build their own ...

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Thu May 29, 2003 5:42 pm

Hey I forgot to mention an ebony fingerboard!

Hey Jeff, custom Rics would be cool but I don't want to buy a Ric made in a shop that John Hall doesn't oversee.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu May 29, 2003 6:15 pm

I'd like a short scale 8-string Ricky shaped like a 620 with with guitar and bass tuners on a headstock shaped like a cross between a 4001 and 4005/8. Vintage style shark tooth inlays. A pair of toasters wired balance-volume-trebble-bass would provide the sound to a mono jack. I understand the logistics associated with having something like this made by RIC so I'm having it made by a local luthier. I'm still in the parts aquisition stage(Ricky 8-string bridge, toasters, vintage knobs, vintage bass tuners, four 620 guitar tuners, Schaller-RIC strap lock buttons, even a set of factory strings). I've also laid out the headstock and body with locations for factory style routing. This weekend I'm making the pickguard vintage style clear backpainted white. My luthier has a trussrod system he machines himself that will enable the neck to be only 3/4 of an inch thick. I'll try to get pics posted when it's underway.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri May 30, 2003 12:33 am

Hmmmmm....

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Fri May 30, 2003 12:39 am

Jerry,
A test for what purposes? (Sure hope you're doing a marketing survey here for Mr. Hall.)
I'll fire away anyway!

A 4001/4003 "Oceanglo" with the following features:
1-21 frets.
2-The old pre-'73 mother of pearl, edge to edge, crushed pearl triangle fingerboard inlays.
3-Ultra wavy figured maple.
4-White bindings for body, neck and Headstock.
5-No pickguard. Wiring accessed from body back like the 4004 series.
6-2 toasters mounted like the 4004 series.

(Photo courtesy of...I forgot.)

7-Current Schaller-made tuners with pegs bended into wavy profile like the 2nd generation Grovers used in the early to mid '70s.
8-Ultra wavy figured maple in translucent sea water blue burst finish. Make her look like being made of sea water...Something like this, but a little greener and lighter:

(Larger image here.)

I'm aware Mr. Hall doesn't have any plans for a RIC Custom Shop (doesn't the combination of these 3 words make your heart pump?) so dream away, boys.
T

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri May 30, 2003 2:20 am

Oh Yeah, I'd like my necks to have 21 frets.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Fri May 30, 2003 2:27 am

I actually prefer the appearance of the 4004s, so my fantasy Ric would be a 4003 with the following features:

1. Flame maple top with translucent turquoise finish.
2. No pickguard.
3. Pewter or US 15A finish hardware including treble pickup cover and four Tele style knobs.
4. White binding at neck and body (still unsure about this one).
5. Dot inlays on neck, but with the same glorious orange tinted "rosewood".
6. Simplified bridge which is easily adjusted and which not feature any muting device.
7. Plain Jane mono jack.
8. Lifetime warranty.

Where do I sign up?

banta · Post by **banta** » Fri May 30, 2003 6:34 am

4004cii5:

 21 fret ebony board with triangle inlays (or single 12th fret "R" inlay, or with side markers only)
 Figured maple top with translucent black clearcoat finish & black hardware
 Two switchable-coil Bartolini pickups, vol/vol/tone
 Delivery within 6 months

banta · Post by **banta** » Fri May 30, 2003 6:36 am

Joey said, "Hey Jeff, custom Rics would be cool but I don't want to buy a Ric made in a shop that John Hall doesn't oversee."

Amen!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri May 30, 2003 7:25 am

bring back black hardware

banta · Post by **banta** » Fri May 30, 2003 8:12 am

A big +1 to Jeff and black hardware!

pma · Post by **pma** » Fri May 30, 2003 12:13 pm

All,

Rickenbacker should seriously consider this. It's definitely a way to increase revenue and profits. In computing (I work for Apple), we have what's called CTO (configure to order) units that customers order directly from our webstore. Since these are direct orders and custom, they do not conflict with our regular retail channels.

If Rickenbacker was able to increase their production capacity and create some small amount of part inventory (including some pre-made necks and bodies), they could reduce leadtime and improve their bottom line.

There is obviously pent up demand for custom instruments.

Regards,

Paul