Call me a heretic, but...

[henry5]

Each to their own. I can't even look at the poured inlays anymore.

[phlemmy]

maybe the painkillers are blurring my reading comprehension skills, but i didn't see anyone insulting anyone else (re: low blows).

*shrug*

[ajish4]

maybe the painkillers are blurring my reading comprehension skills, but i didn't see anyone insulting anyone else (re: low blows).

*shrug*

"So are we really looking at a cost-cutting/time-saving exercise that's been sold to us as a 'New design feature' ?"

LOL, Hey Sean, my meds ALWAYS blur my reading AND writing skills.

I guess it's just me, but this reminds me of the insult that tossed around about the one off's that RIC was selling through the outlet as something to the tune of (I don't remember the actual quote) "testing out new colors and passing them off as one of a kind guitars". We remember that wonderful comment that went over like a fart in church.

Anyway, to each his own. I don't have a dog in this race. I just like to see changes being made that bring us closer to more vintage 4001. Man, I'd love to see the skunk stripe come back.

[jingle_jangle]

I don't have a dog here, either.

After being net-less for three days due to a house move and a cold keeping me away from the office, I log back on today. Seems to me, sorta cold turkey, that if there's a win-win situation, why is anyone looking for ulterior motives?

Bottom line: I've never seen a Rick neck crack in half or bend excessively when put through normal stresses in normal use. We can discuss numbers all day long, and to me, it's splitting hairs. The new inlays were done because they were demonstrated to be feasible in normal production with minimal interruption to the flow, and would play a small part in helping to reduce the backlog, while simultaneously playing a large part in beautifying the instruments. That's win-win, in anyone's book.

I was at the RIC booth at NAMM, when the topic first came up regarding re-instituting full-width inlays. A few weeks later, they were in production, and once again, I happened to be at the factory when the first 4003s were rolling out with these inlays.

Both times, there was a feeling of joy and happiness in anticipation of the pleasure that this feature would bring to the RIC-buying public. That's those of us on this and other public forums, and also the other 75% who don't frequent these sites. I shared this happiness. EVERYONE had a big grin on our faces as we looked over the results of this one change.

To suspect, or worse, accuse, RIC of anything but devotion to product quality and customer satisfaction, seems to me to be quite perverse and too cynical for even these waning days of Universal American Cynicism. Let's get a grip, realize how da**ed lucky we are, and throw party or something!

[rickenbrother]

Let's get a grip, realize how da**ed lucky we are, and throw party or something!

We are. First weekend of August. Hope to see you there!

[espidog]

I may have posited an uncomfortable idea, but I think describing it as a 'low blow' is going a bit far. It just seems to me that the new inlays are a step down the same path that brought us the regrettable changover from checker binding to plain: i.e. it was simpler and cheaper.

As for RIC only doing what's best for their bottom line, well maybe I've been deluding myself all these years, but I always thought that what really marked Rickenbacker out from other, lesser brands was that they were more interested in making the finest instruments than in kow-towing to the accountants. Of course I don't expect the company to run at a loss, but heaven help us all the day the bottom line becomes boss at Santa Ana.

Re. the mention of the full-width inlays being a response to customer/forum members' requests: I'm afraid this was just my ignorance showing. I've been completely out of the loop on this issue, and consequently wasn't aware that such a clamour existed. If this really is the case, then the current situation is all well and good (at least for those who like full-width inlays! ). However, if we're going to talk about responding to customer need, spare a thought for the army of benighted bass players who have been SCREAMING for a modern, decently-adjustable bridge on the 4000 series since... well, I can't remember when! What have all our hopes, appeals and frankly saintlike patience brought us? Nothing but vague promises of jam tomorrow. I'll tell you what it's brought me: a hipshot! - which at once makes me both very happy (because I now have a bridge that's fully and easily adjustable in all planes) and very sad, because I REALLY HONESTLY would have preferred to buy such an item from RIC themselves.

[admin]

That RIC has produced high quality and attractive instruments for more than 75 years is an understatement.

Having said that, let's face it those of us who frequent the RickResource Forum pay attention to details that many consumers, even Rickenbacker owners, might gloss over. Ken has simply raised this issue of the new inlays and has made comments with regard to aesthetics and functionality. He has done so respectfully and remained even in his response to those who have challenged his position. We all have our wish list and it is only fair that he has his.

RIC is unlikely to adopt any change without considerable thought. They have done well for the first 75 years and I am betting that their track record will be the same for the next 75. Frankly, I have not see one of these instruments up close but the photos I have witnessed continue to reveal an instrument of considerable beauty. Times change and we adapt to new circumstances as best we can. RIC is surely no different.

I will be very interested to see if the new technology and look are further refined over the course of time. There is nothing more interesting than discussing Rickenbackers. This gives us all another thing to talk about.

I offer the following 660 Mapleglo from March 2008. To my eyes, it is as attactive as previous 660s. I am betting that, for the most part, we will not hear or feel a difference in how it sounds and plays.

[jingle_jangle]

Re. the mention of the full-width inlays being a response to customer/forum members' requests: I'm afraid this was just my ignorance showing. I've been completely out of the loop on this issue, and consequently wasn't aware that such a clamour existed. If this really is the case, then the current situation is all well and good (at least for those who like full-width inlays! ). However, if we're going to talk about responding to customer need, spare a thought for the army of benighted bass players who have been SCREAMING for a modern, decently-adjustable bridge on the 4000 series since... well, I can't remember when! What have all our hopes, appeals and frankly saintlike patience brought us? Nothing but vague promises of jam tomorrow. I'll tell you what it's brought me: a hipshot! - which at once makes me both very happy (because I now have a bridge that's fully and easily adjustable in all planes) and very sad, because I REALLY HONESTLY would have preferred to buy such an item from RIC themselves.

Tooling for a new, modern, full-width inlay on the run, in the white hot heat of daily production, and developing and engineering a new bridge in the same circumstances, are two different kettles of fish, Ken. Without intending to re-ignite the old tailpiece clamor, all I'll say is that RIC is damned if they do and damned if they don't in some cases, and it's an uncomfortable place to be for them, but part of the hurly-burly of running a very visible, but still closely-held, business that produces items with a passionate following.

[ram]

OK - if you really want me to.... 'You are a heretic but.' No sure why you want to be called that, but there you go.....

I like dots, full and not so full inlays. I think that all look nice. But I can't tell any difference in sound between them???

[gshadoan]

I personally love the new full width inlays. Loved the old ones. Love the dots. Love the small ones. I have never had an issue with the RIC tailpeice. Always been able to get all my RIC basses I have owned over the years in perfect intonation. If what they are doing at the factory reduces back log, and looks good, and is still high quality, then I say do it. The important issue to me are:
Does the neck do what it is supposed to do.
Do the pickups do what they are supposed to do.
Does the bass play and sound good.
Is it a high quality instrument.
If the answer is yes, then I'm good. But..... im a player, not a collector.
Maybe its just me but I have found the above to be true in instruments ranging in price from 200-2000+ $.
Brand is not as important to me as the above. I just happen to think RIC is the best looking basses. But, Im not obsessed with them.
Some of the basses out there IMHO are just ugly. Some look great.
P.S., I didn't see any low blows in any posts in this thread.

[nukebass]

There's nothing wrong with building faster and cheaper, either, I don't think. Especially in this case since a large number of people have wanted full width inlays. They do look odd to me, but that's because I'm not used to them. I've only recently learned, due to posts on this forum, that the old basses had FWI and CB binding. The only old RIC I had ever paid any attention to previously was McCartney's, and it had dots and no binding! As long as the inlays stay in place I'm good with them. The only "bad" thing, from my standpoint, is that I don't get to participate in the new inlays right now because the bass I have on order has dots

[shamustwin]

Haven't seen the new inlays in person, but in every photo they just pop. I now am considering a new 360 as opposed to old and $$$$, simply because they look so good with the full inlays. We'll never see the iconic '60's inlays again, so I'm happy with this new development.

[rickfan63]

I really like the full width inlays myself. RIC has a done a fine job of catering to what their buyers have asked for lately, such as walnut head wings and now full width inlays. Especially when there is a tremendous backlog like RIC has right now. I think Paul W. is absolutely right. If I had the funds, I'd love to get a 4003MG with the walnut ears and full width inlays. That would be one cool bass. I might even have full width inlays put on my Monty Brown 4003 sometime. if the funds and the opportunity present itself.

[jakeox]

I like dots, full and not so full inlays. I think that all look nice. But I can't tell any difference in sound between them???

I'm telling you -- it's all about black dots. They definitely affect tone.

[GracieBass]

My only gripe is that I have the poured ones on 2 basses, dots on one, and know I NEED a bass with full width.

I like them all.

My wife is going to kill me.

Thanks Rickenbacker.

Tom