Mapleglo.

[deaconblues]

Someone said I shouldn't compare Rickenbacker to Gibsons, why?
In the UK the Rickenbacker (2008) 620 MDFglo that Scotty posted is going for £1099.
In the UK this new (2008) Gibson Les Paul is going for £999
http://www.dv247.com/assets/products/36845_l.jpg

Because that top is no more than a half-inch thick.

[leftyguitars]

So how often do the Rickenbacker folks get wood?

Don't be so personal!

[fireglo67]

Someone said I shouldn't compare Rickenbacker to Gibsons, why?
In the UK the Rickenbacker (2008) 620 MDFglo that Scotty posted is going for £1099.
In the UK this new (2008) Gibson Les Paul is going for £999
http://www.dv247.com/assets/products/36845_l.jpg

Because that top is no more than a half-inch thick.

Does that really matter? I would guess that the back of the LP is something like mahogany, but that has no bearing on the look of the front of the guitar.

If it's a financial thing, as some have inferred, then that would contradict all the PR bumpf that comes from Rickenbacker saying that they never compromise on the quality or finish on any of their guitars.

If it's a wood supply thing (which was my thought), then that's cool, I'll just wait until they produce something with a more aesthetically pleasing finish.

[deaconblues]

I just think comparing Gibson to Rickenbacker is unfair because Rickenbacker has to get enough maple to build a whole guitar, while Gibson slices hundreds of really thin pieces of maple out of a single nice block, then slaps it on a block of mahogany.

So, yeah, basically it's a wood supply issue. But I think if you wait long enough, you'll find the right one for you...whether from this particular batch or another. Were you planning to order sight-unseen?

[leftyguitars]

Rob, just let me know when you want to borrow my landing net!

[scotty]

Maybe MG isnt for you rob! I suggest a nice figured JG

[fireglo67]

I just think comparing Gibson to Rickenbacker is unfair because Rickenbacker has to get enough maple to build a whole guitar, while Gibson slices hundreds of really thin pieces of maple out of a single nice block, then slaps it on a block of mahogany.

So, yeah, basically it's a wood supply issue. But I think if you wait long enough, you'll find the right one for you...whether from this particular batch or another. Were you planning to order sight-unseen?

I've been to 2 shops that both had 2008 mapleglo 620's, and both guitars were as bland as plywood.

The nicest maple finish I've seen on a 2008 Ric is on a 660 being sold by olivias, it is wonderful, but I don't fancy paying the 'Olivias premium' for my next Ric.

[beefandbones]

Well to each his own - I don't care for flame maple at all! Of the figured maples that you see now and then, I prefer birdseye and I can do with a bit of quilting now and then. I would never buy an instrument with highly flamed wood. Subtle flames.... mmmmmaybe. I think it's the contrasting stripes that I don't like, and I feel the same way about sapele. I for one am glad they use plain wood on some models!

[fireglo67]

I gotta get me some of these.

[johneek]

Here's a new 360 at the Music Zoo that has some nice grain and subtle figuring.

Here's the 360 I bought in early 2006.

[seanyfitz]

Saw an awesome maple Glow 330 onstage at lager House in detroit about a week ago. It was beautiful and a little figured. OMG, I wanted to run out and buy one, as i am refinishing my poorly refinished 66 maple 330 Jet Glo ASAP

[targ]

Marty: If your comments concerning grain were about flamed or quilted, I could certainly see your point.

When it comes to figured, however, doesn't this really mean having some aspects of the grain that stand out.

An example of another company advertising a figured neck can be seen in the photo below.

I am sure you will agree that the neck is different from the average bear but not captivating.

I believe the Rickenbacker's description of figured is not just-noticeably-different from the industry standard.

figured.jpg

I guess we just disagree. I don't think sorting wood is as hard as they make it out to be. For instance look at this one for the same price:
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/ri ... 812482.php

The fact that this one wasn't sent to the paint line is beyond me:
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/ri ... 829484.php

I think Ric kind of gets a pass on this issue because of the back log and the demand.
This is Rickenbacker's own add for the 660, check the wood in the picture
http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=660
I see a difference, don't you?

[fireglo67]

This one's not bad either.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... =p3907.m29

I notice that from other guitar manufacturers that they 'grade' the maple that they use on their guitars, with the AAA grade flame and quilted maple used on higher end models.

Do Rickenbacker have a similar grading system?

If so, I'd guess that some of the maple used on the 620's I saw must be grade B minus! (Only joking, it was AAA MDF)

[rick_ovic]

Rob, I'm going to step in here as moderator for this section of the RickResource Forum.

The opinion you expressed at the start of this thread was your observation, which I'm sure is respected. Other Forum members have a different view.

Paul W summed up Rickenbacker's use of maple, and the difference between how it is used in different models, in this post:-

It's always the luck of the draw, and it's not unusual to see some flame in a 360, although the really nice stuff is usually seen on the 381s and 660s. Waiting a year accomplishes little, as RIC gets in new wood much more frequently than once a year!

Further debate beyond this, including the comparison between solid and semi-hollow Rickenbackers with maple-capped Gibsons, serves no real constructive purpose.

Let's move on, everyone.

[mp_me]

The topic of figured wood has come up before. (It got me kicked off the official Rickenbacker forum months after I made my final comment.)
There should be no expectation of figured or interesting looking wood for a MG. Figured wood is not mentioned in Rickenbacker's descriptions of a MG guitar.
660's and 381's should have some kind of interesting grain.....lots of 660's leave the factory with no figuring at all. There is no definition of the word "figured" that fits how some or these guitars look.