Question on 330 horn sharpness

[DoctorPhil]

Hi all

I used to own a Ric that I had to sell years ago to pay a loan and am looking to get a Ric after all of these years. Browsing images I noticed that there seems to be some small variation in the sharpness of the horns on the 330s. My short question is does anyone have information on these subtle changes in the horn sharpness? I'm not certain but to my eyes it seems like some of the the horns of pictures of 330s in the late 80's early 90s are a little more rounded. Is this the case? and do any of the books on Rics mention this? The models available now seem to be sharp like the older models.

Thanks in advance

[paologregorio]

The horns started to get pointy again in the early 90s. I have a 381/12 with the rounder horns that was manufactured in January of `91, while my 381/6 with the pointier horns was manufactured in July of `93. I prefer the pointier horns myself, as it accents the unique Rickenbacker shape even more. I've even asked Dale and Paul if I could have the horns on the 12 made more pointy while still keeping the proportions correct. Am I being obsessive?!

In any case, a pic's worth a thousand words, so here's a photo of the two for a visual comparison:

381s with my fawn tolex AC 30; a `73 rewired to 60s TB spec, complete with a tube rectifier, alnico bulldogs, and birch ply cabinet

Happy shopping for your new Rick.

[sloop_john_b]

I too prefer the pointer horns, but the more blunt horns of the 70's and 80's do have their charm!

[jingle_jangle]

Well, that's 381s, but I believe the horn change on those and the 330s could be due to the change in rough cutting from overarm router in the "old days", to CNC since the early '90s, when the old templates went away in favor of digital files and CNC tool paths.

I, too prefer the more contempo look of sharp horns, but, like JB, find a good deal of charm in aged Mapleglo or Fireglo and rounder horns.

[paologregorio]

Paul,

I'm on North of Malibu's friends list I forgot to mention that.

[DoctorPhil]

Hi all.

Many thanks for the info. Paul, thanks for the photo, seeing both straight on is a big help! Many of the photos I had perused were from various angles which can make the horns look even more rounded. Those are some nice Ricks -- I'm "jealous" ! The Ric that I parted with years ago was a late 60s 365/6 OS MG.

BTW, I like the more pointy horns too.
Thanks again all for your help.

PS
I don't think one can ever be too obsessive on guitar preferences!

[rickenrocker]

I figure, guitars are just like people.


Some are sharper than others.

[jingle_jangle]

Paul,

I'm on North of Malibu's friends list I forgot to mention that.

Another sharp horny friend!

[paologregorio]

[paologregorio]

Hi all.

Many thanks for the info. Paul, thanks for the photo, seeing both straight on is a big help! Many of the photos I had perused were from various angles which can make the horns look even more rounded. Those are some nice Ricks -- I'm "jealous" ! The Ric that I parted with years ago was a late 60s 365/6 OS MG.

BTW, I like the more pointy horns too.
Thanks again all for your help.

PS
I don't think one can ever be too obsessive on guitar preferences!

Thanks for the confidence vote!

Ouch! A 365 OS in MG-Cool! I have a 365 WB in MG that I'm awaiting vintage toasters for-similar, but lacking the full width inlays and smaller peghead of the 60s models. At least it has the vintage knobs!:

[DoctorPhil]

Thanks for the confidence vote!

Ouch! A 365 OS in MG-Cool! I have a 365 WB in MG that I'm awaiting vintage toasters for-similar, but lacking the full width inlays and smaller peghead of the 60s models. At least it has the vintage knobs!:

Rickenbacker 360 WB in Mapleglo.JPG

Wow another great guitar! I wish RIC would reissue the 365/OS in MG! -- that would be the one I would buy. No chance of that soon though. In the mean time I'll keep looking for a used one -- I need to have those toaster pickups too! Of course, I would love to have the full width inlays too. (Speaking of obsession!)

[paologregorio]

I've seen a few 360/365 OS models in MG on G-Base and Ebay recently. Check it out, you might find the one you're looking for!

[DoctorPhil]

I've seen a few 360/365 OS models in MG on G-Base and Ebay recently. Check it out, you might find the one you're looking for!

Paul.

Thanks for the tip -- I had been looking on gBase. There is one there at CME that looks just like my old baby (who knows maybe its it! -- yeah right ) -- I sent for the price -- unfortunately out side my budget at the moment for an old living room (very ) slow hand player !

[jingle_jangle]

Deal very cautiously with CME. Their rep is not very good. Misrepresentation of items, bait and switch, overpricing, etc. Search this site with "CME" as your ref word, and see what nastiness you uncover!

(I'm currently restoring a 360F that CME advertised as "Near mint condition", the back of which was slathered with bondo and badly resprayed--in CME's "restoration" shop...

[jingle_jangle]

)