Color of the Year discontinued permanently?

[phlemmy]

I don't really care about a COY series, but it would be nice if they started doing trim options again.

I don't really care about a COY series, but it would be nice if they started doing lefties again.

I think you have enough of them, young man.

[leftyguitars]

But Sean, I need a 480 from the custom shop as I don't have a lefty 480 (but then no one has a lefty 480 ).

[scott_s]

Pardon me if this is out of place (or out of line), but has Rickenbacker considered hiring more people to deal with the backlog?

- Scott

As you probably recall, JH has commented in the past about the difficulty of maintaining skilled employees in the relatively high cost of living environment around southern California.

And, besides, even with more employees I imagine there’s still a limit of how much output a shop can produce.

10-4. I was away from RRF for quite a while, so I've missed a lot. I worry a little that while RIC is doing very well right now (the Boomers have a lot of money to spend on toys), they might lose out in the future if the tight supply (and resulting upward pressure on new and used prices) prevents many of the younger generation from getting their hands on one.

Not trying to stir up trouble, just saying...

- Scott

[jimk]

Scott,
Your concern is most understandable. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, I guess us present or future Rickenbacker packers better start writing the next hit song to be performed by the next Big Rickenbacker Packer Band.

JimK

[webhead]

I was doing some cleaning in my basement when I found a box of old guitar literature. I was the one who couldn't afford the nifty guitars when I was a teen so I requested a ton of catalogs. I found a 25th anniversary RIC catalog, and a color sheet, which featured a 4003 in a ton of colors; ruby, silver, white, autumnglo, azureglo, etc.... And it showed a few with the black trim... I'd love to see that come back... Any color you want... Black trim.... Checked binding...

[epitreture]

But Sean, I need a 480 from the custom shop as I don't have a lefty 480 (but then no one has a lefty 480 ).

That's true Peter. Not a real one anyway.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd23 ... 333002.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd23 ... 007013.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd23 ... 007009.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd23 ... 333003.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd23 ... 007011.jpg

[epitreture]

Why does it not surprise me that CA doesn't let RIC spray more?! California government is one of the most hostile to business in the country. It's a wonder there are any businesses left in the state.

I'd like to see AZ or BG make a COY appearance, or this green:
http://contests.guitarworld.com/girlspi ... essab1.jpg

I'd like to see more colored finishes in general: Blue boy, Sea Green, AZ, Turq, BG. It would be nice to have some more dramatic finish options than are currently available.

I completely agree about that beautiful dark greenglo. BTW, would the woman come with the guitar?

[sir_andrew_of_left_coast]

As a native SoCalian and a one time LA basin resident I'm here to tell you I'll take clean air rules over nice guitar finishes any time.

Thank you for that comment.

[RIC_FACTORY]

Nothing is forever.

[bassduke49]

So, Ben, does that mean the COY is . . . or the discontinuation of the COY . . . we're trapped, I say! Trapped!

[jingle_jangle]

I think it's a safe bet that the COY will be resurrected at RIC's option, when backlogs are quite under control.

Meanwhile, how 'bout them inlays?

Hey?

[jimk]

Yeah, baby! (in my best Mike Meyers voice) Dig those inlays!

[johnallg]

Nothing is forever.

Ben, thanks for showing up over here again. We really do appreciate RIC official input.

And thanks for the inlays! Is it safe to say the 4003 will see them also? Inquiring minds want to know....

[paologregorio]

As a native SoCalian and a one time LA basin resident I'm here to tell you I'll take clean air rules over nice guitar finishes any time.

Thank you for that comment.

I'm still living here and I like clean air as well. I'm sure there's a way we can have both clean air and more nice guitar finishes without the heavy hand of Sacramento or the AQMD just saying "NO", and "STOP" all the time.

It's good to know that there will be a return of the COY at some time in the future

[jingle_jangle]

The EPA and SCAQMD were supposedly going to tighten up standards for VOCs even more, mandating water-borne finishes for California (maybe the nation!) by sometime in 2009, but the last I heard this is being pushed back again.

This means that primers and color coats will soon be water-borne, but clear coats and conversion varnishes will continue to be solvent-based, at least for the foreseeable future.

I have shop-tested the waterborne finishes (not on guitars, on test panels) and it's going to take some getting used to! But I felt the same when switching from nitro to acrylic lacquers in the early '70s, and from acrylic lacquers to urethanes in '90. I'm what you call a late adopter.