NAMM NEWS!

[headbanger]

I'm a bit late in coming to this thread (or any other) because I've been travelling.

ATM the Ric.com site is down so I'll just have to take the quote on the first page as gospel.

I've never been a fan of the C64 or 64S. I think they're posers who want to stand in front of the mirror and have that "Macca" look. IMO the real bread and butter all along has been the heavy rock crowd (like me) who've NOT wanted the reverse Macca headstock but a traditional S model. I also think Ric have known this for a long time and have secretly wanted to change them without any fanfare or possible criticism taking into the H-U-G-E publicity surrounding their release and equally huge delay in production and delivery.

The only overlapping model I could perceicve is a traditional 4001S.

I would personally love to see Rick basses made like they used to make them. I.E. a 4001S, a v68(ish) and a lefty with an upsidedown headstock for the Macca crowd.

dons asbstos suit, awaits reaction to post...

[paologregorio]

It almost goes without saying that the highly figured grain of the MG 381 on display is amazing, but I'd like to add that the finish on the Midnight Blue 381/12 is also stunningly beautiful. The new 381 models feel somewhat lighter in weight than the two examples I own, which are early 90s models. The two I own aren't uncomfortable or "heavy" in the least, it's just that a few of the other attendees and I observed that the new ones were noticeably lighter. After looking at the new 381 models in JG and MID I am seriously comtemplating an order!

I also really enjoyed being able to pick up and play a 350V63, 325C58, and the 360/12C63, as well as the 4001C64. It was the first time I'd had a chance to play a 360/12C63; it's a wonderful twelve string. Finally, I have to add that I really enjoyed playing the C64 bass.

[chrisdski]

Electric Mandolins. Way cool!!

[ajish4]

Wow,

THANK YOU everyone for posting the pictures...

Is it me, or did it seem that like EVERY MG/FG etc....had exquisite grain? Damn, I was expecting to see it on the 4004cii, but the FG 4003 had stunning grain on it as well!

JH, hats off, looks like you scored a fantastic batch of trees this time around. Even the ones that have shipped recently looked killer as well.

PLEASE keep 'em coming!

Nice to see some familiar faces..Mr. P, Mr. M, Mr C. Mr & Mrs J, Mr. W and company...very cool!

SOooooooooooooo, ANY 'em RUMORS coming out of the booth?

[guitar-murph]

Geez.........it sure would be nice if that 381v69 FG pictured would find it's way to my dealer after this NAMM business is finished. Fat chance...probably............but it does further whet my appetite. I'm only two years in, so I may be waiting another year.

[cjj]

Thanks for posting all the pics for those of us who can't go to the show!

I sure hope all that lovely figured maple is indicative of what they'll be shipping in the coming year (and hoping my new 4003MG looks like those!)!!!

[jingle_jangle]

V68, no way, IMO, based upon what I know...

[s4001]

I came to the booth and Gary said 'you just missed Brian Wilson.' Dangit!

[scotty]

Great pics Gary.thanks

[aceonbass]

I posed the "V68" question/scenario to J.H. and he indicated that he wasn't actually sure what they were following the C64 up with. Considering the amount of time it will take to finish building all the ones ordered up to this week, RIC probably has till NAMM next year to make an announcement. Other than checkered binding, the current 4003 has been morphed into the V68 (after swapping out a few parts of course), so I can see why something like that doesn't need to happen. Given that, what would be the next most likely 4000 series variant to be produced?

[jps]

I posed the "V68" question/scenario to J.H. and he indicated that he wasn't actually sure what they were following the C64 up with. Considering the amount of time it will take to finish building all the ones ordered up to this week, RIC probably has till NAMM next year to make an announcement. Other than checkered binding, the current 4003 has been morphed into the V68 (after swapping out a few parts of course), so I can see why something like that doesn't need to happen. Given that, what would be the next most likely 4000 series variant to be produced?

A 4000C57!

[s4001]

I'm with you, Dane. The current 4003 feels and sounds a lot like a '68 (minus wood aging, etc.) Checkered binding and pup swaps and it's pretty much there.

[bassduke49]

I bet there'll be a return of the V63 bass, which was superseded by the C64. It has the classic Toaster/Horseshoe pickup combination, no binding, dot markers, and they can easily install the vintage-tone thingie. Basically a C64 with the "rightside up" headstock . . . or was the C64 a V63 with an "upside down" headstock? Anyway, the V63 makes more sense to me; little development costs, probably more demand than for the C64, and offers an alternative to the twin high-gains of the 4003 or twin humbuckers of the 4004. I'd want to see it in all available colors, though. Toward the end of the V63 production, we saw a few in oddball colors (for a V63): Midnight Blue, Sea Green, and Turquoise, but these were exceptions. I mean, wouldn't it have been great to see a V63 in Montezuma Brown (not a refin) or Blueburst?

[s4001]

Agreed. Bluebust would've been hot.

[aceonbass]

We were discussing whether or not it was possible to order 4003's in trans finishes. The solid and burst finishes are nice, but a 4003 or 620 in trans red or blue or even green would be way cool.