Are these inlays new?

[1965]

How about just a 360/6c63, like the 360v64...just take 6 strings off.

Oh, well I thought we were talking about the NS 360 here. Personally I prefer the OS like you're talking about.

[collin]

How about just a 360/6c63, like the 360v64...just take 6 strings off.

Oh, well I thought we were talking about the NS 360 here. Personally I prefer the OS like you're talking about.

Yep, talking NS 360's (though I also prefer the harder edged OS too..).

That makes me wonder...besides something like the CW limited edition, have they ever reissued a vintage style 360NS (with all those features)? I'm thinking that it's not done because it would compete with demand/sales of the modern style 360's, that have always been available, right?

Cheers,
-Collin

[chronictown]

Hey Colin - RIC made a very small run of new-style 360/12v66 and 370/12v67 for the Japanese market in 2003 - there were 24 of each model made. As far as I know, the 360s were in fireglo and the 370s in mapleglo. Very similar to the CW series but without the thin top - check out the models section on http://www.rickbeat.com. I'd love to get me one of those 370s

[jingle_jangle]

That makes me wonder...besides something like the CW limited edition, have they ever reissued a vintage style 360NS (with all those features)? I'm thinking that it's not done because it would compete with demand/sales of the modern style 360's, that have always been available, right?

Cheers,
-Collin

Nope. Those 360s sell just fine and nothing in a limited edition would ever replace them.

[deaconblues]

Why bother reissuing a guitar that has hardly changed in 40 years?

I say just slap a 21-fret neck on the new 360s and be done with it.

[collin]

I say just slap a 21-fret neck on the new 360s and be done with it.

haha, you've obviously not gone through a neck reset before, eh? It's not so easy as a "slap-on" affair, though I sure wish it was. That's where Fenders get fun

But, to most people...the 330 hasn't changed over the years, but it really has. The vintage spec 360 is quite different from the modern version (though both are excellent guitars).

Cheers,
-Collin

[deaconblues]

I say just slap a 21-fret neck on the new 360s and be done with it.

haha, you've obviously not gone through a neck reset before, eh? It's not so easy as a "slap-on" affair, though I sure wish it was. That's where Fenders get fun

But, to most people...the 330 hasn't changed over the years, but it really has. The vintage spec 360 is quite different from the modern version (though both are excellent guitars).

Cheers,
-Collin

The V, 600, C, and hundreds of vintage Rickenbackers do just fine with 21 frets... and perhaps there's a way it can be further strengthened.

I know the guitars have had some small changes over the years, but I think that just reintroducing 21-fretters would make a lot of people happy without any new expensive reissues, if it could be done in a way that didn't increase backlog.

[beefandbones]

And just imagine how much that 'last 24-fretter' would sell for! Talk about a rarity!

(Btw I'm all for 21 fetters...)

[deaconblues]

Of course, it's all about what works best for Ric.

I have always thought it's so cool that they listen to their customers and make changes based on our input!

[collin]

reintroducing 21-fretters would make a lot of people happy without any new expensive reissues, if it could be done in a way that didn't increase backlog.

Totally, I agree. I think they originally started doing 24 frets because it started getting really popular with big name manufacturers in the late 70s/early 80's. That was....a long time ago. I mean, 24 frets are cool, but it's so hard to play up high with the frets squished close together (after finally playing 21 fret Rics!), especially on 12 string models.

You're right too about the backlog, heck! it'd probably be cheaper too..less frets etc..

Cheers,
-Collin

[sloop_john_b]

Totally, I agree. I think they originally started doing 24 frets because it started getting really popular with big name manufacturers in the late 70s/early 80's. That was....a long time ago. I mean, 24 frets are cool, but it's so hard to play up high with the frets squished close together (after finally playing 21 fret Rics!), especially on 12 string models.

It was done even earlier then that - '70 or so on the 360's. I always thought the idea was that Ricks weren't thought of as lead guitars (especially with the rise of the Strat and the Paul aorund that time) and barely any guitars had 24 frets at the time, so by having 24 frets, more lead players might look to them for having an edge that the Strat and the Paul didn't have.

[collin]

It was done even earlier then that - '70 or so on the 360's. I always thought the idea was that Ricks weren't thought of as lead guitars (especially with the rise of the Strat and the Paul aorund that time) and barely any guitars had 24 frets at the time, so by having 24 frets, more lead players might look to them for having an edge that the Strat and the Paul didn't have.

ah, no kidding? I guess that makes sense. I was thinking about the endless parade of fretboard wanking shredders that rose in the early 80s in Van Halen's wake, bringing rise to the superstrat etc. Most of them had 24 frets of course. It seems strange too, because while you can hit stratospheric 24th fret notes, squeezing the fretboard down makes it harder for people with bigger fingers to play sensible leads in the 10th-15th fret region.

So the 24 fretters started with the 360 then? I suppose other models followed suit, like the 24fret 331LS second series from the same period (like 1970..)

Cheers,
-Collin

[paologregorio]

How about just a 360/6c63, like the 360v64...just take 6 strings off.

That would be cool, but I'd want a bound soundhole.

[jingle_jangle]

It seems strange too, because while you can hit stratospheric 24th fret notes, squeezing the fretboard down makes it harder for people with bigger fingers to play sensible leads in the 10th-15th fret region.

Since scale length remains the same at 24.7" on both 24 and 21 fret models, equivalent frets are the same distance apart on both. The 24 just has three more of these little pieces of wire tacked onto the body end of a longer neck.

[arbiter]

The fact that 330s and 360s have 24 frets has been a big selling point for me personally. It really does put Rics apart from fenders and Gibsons as previously mentioned. Its also something i considered when choosing between a 360/12 and 660/12.