Great post, Kevin! I wanted to add that I chose my MG 360/6 over a FG 330/6 in the late Summer of '05.
The FG 330 had a flamed back with about 66% as much flame as the one seen in your photo; pretty impressive.
In regards to the 360 you posted, it makes me wonder why Rickenbacker chose to put the flame on the back of the guitar!
The FG 330 I saw in Shreveport, La. didn't have the grain matching up especially well on the back, despite the lovely flame effect, so I can understand that one.