Ric 1996 has arrived!!

mike_d · Post by **mike_d** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:18 pm

A mere eight months after placing my order, it has arrived. I just got this baby home and took a few quick pictures and observations. Sorry for the stream of consciousness, but I'm trying to play, photograph and type all at the same time.

I've only briefly plugged it in and it's very bright with the stock Ric strings. They feel kind of like flats but I think they may be the Ric compressed round wound. Jim Rhoads said they were flats but I don't agree. The serial number is listed as May 2006 on the warranty card.

The Accent Vibrola has black rubber pads mounted through the spring. No green felt pads like on recent Ric reissue vibrolas. It intonates fine and there is no buzzing with the roller bridge whatsoever..

The body is slightly thicker than my 325/12v63 and 350v63. It measures 1" and 9/16 inches deep. The Ric website says it should be 1" 1/2 inches. The body feels more like the c58 body than a recent V series 325 style guitar. The body edges are definitely sharper and not as rounded. I haven't taken the pickguard off to look inside and I can't really see much through the f-hole but I'll post some more pictures soon.

http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/1996_001.JPG
http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/1996_002.JPG
http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/1996_003.JPG
http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/1996_004.JPG
http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/1996_005.JPG

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:34 pm

Mike: That looks sweet.

I wonder how far apart my guitar is from your's, the shading looks nearly identical to mine...I have looked at some of the original RM1996s on Glen's site and their are some that have the thicker shading of red between the middle and neck pickup like yours and mine. The NAMM guitar that Kevin ended up with has a bit more ambered wood in the center than our guitars do.

Your guitar has a fairly tame top as far as grain goes too....mine is the same way.

I hope to get some pics of mine up tomorrow, the weather hasn't been fit lately (rain).

wj350 · Post by **wj350** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:52 pm

Mike, Congrats!! She looks gorgeous--I got an email from Gary at NC today saying mine had arrived--might be here by the weekend!

Bill

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:05 pm

Great pix. I'm waiting for mine. It's on the way.

mike_d · Post by **mike_d** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:09 pm

This thing sounds amazing through my Fender Blues Deluxe. It nails a very Byrds-like sound for only being a sixer!

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:58 pm

I'm hoping to hear from Gary soon. I'm also on the list at NCM!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:06 pm

Nice acquisition, Mike, congrats!

mike_d · Post by **mike_d** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:11 pm

Thanks, guys. Here's another couple of pics along side my other Rics.

http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/325_party.jpg
http://home.austin.rr.com/rickenbacker/rickenbackers_2006.jpg

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:51 pm

Congrats, Mike--that's a gorgeous guitar among gorgeous guitars.... It's making me even more excited to know that mine is on the way and will be here within the next couple of days!

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:09 pm

>>The serial number is listed as May 2006 on the warranty card.<<

That's interesting. Hmmm....

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:45 am

Congrats, Mike. Beautiful family you've got there!

winston · Post by **winston** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:51 am

Very very nice Marc. Congrats.

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:55 am

Wow, congratulations Mike!!

Mull, mull, mull
...and I ain't talking about wine.

twangs · Post by **twangs** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:47 am

Nice nice nice, Mark. We have all heard how accurate the C series are when compared to the original vintage instruments. I'm curious if the same amount of research and attention to detail went into the 1996.

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:28 am

Mine arrived not 20 minutes ago. Yes! (She may be the closest Ricky to the Dakota, not sure. 1996? I'm fairly certain):

http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/studiotwosession/?action=view&current=1996.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch3

http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/studiotwosession/?action=view&current=1996-2.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch2

http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h96/studiotwosession/?action=view&current=1996-3.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1