NEWLY-FINISHED PROJECT...

[bottom4]

Thanks to all! Special thanks to PW, and, of course, JH for allowing this special instrument to be produced!

As you can all imagine, I can't wait to get my hands on this sweet instrument! I have a few musical ideas that I've been working on in anticipation of this day. As soon as I get some proper tracks down, I'll post them here for you all to hear the brilliance of this historic piece!

Paul is giving me too much credit by saying I named this finish Chianti. The story actually goes like this. A few years ago (boy time does fly by) I presented an idea to Paul regarding this bass, for which he took to JH for approval. I 'll save for now what the original concept was - will say that it was an opaque finish. Anyway, one day Paul contacts me and says, are you sure you want to go in this direction, I feel bad covering up the gorgeous grain... He offered to give it a deep AFG finish which I love, but wanted something different. I fell in love with the mahoganyglo that he did awhile back so I had that in mind and a glass of Chianti in my hand, so I said, how about Chiantiglo, and that was the spark. Paul went to work and came up with this finish which I think is spot on! Take a glass of Chianti outside in bright sun and you'll see what I mean.

So you've all picked up on the PW magic that he's added to this guitar. Here's another of those little things that he throws in that makes it very special AFAIC - red fret dot markers - it's those little things. Also just by looking at the many shots that Paul sent me the bass just looks like its perfectly balanced!

Personally I'm shocked that I'm the owner of this beautiful piece and reality mostly likely won't set in until its in my hands on Friday ,and maybe not even then!

[jps]

I bet there will more orders coming your way for one of those babies!

Be the first on your block, Jeff. You know you want one

As nice as it is, I have yet to play any truly acoustic bass that is based on a guitar body, even an Earthwood that I have played a couple times, to have sufficient acoustic output to keep up playing with other acoustic instruments. That is why I got my Rick Turner.

[berth]

You did it again. I'm starting to like a color I disliked before.

[rickenbrother]

Wow, is that nice!! Great job Paul, what a beauty!! Congrats to Andy! It looks like the ultimate acoustic bass guitar. Congrats and enjoy it!! I'm sure you will. Chianti is a perfect mane for it. The finish looks like it is very well done. That's a nice rich color. I know how much you love Chianti, Andy...very much like I do!!
We still have to enjoy some Chianti together someday...and I wanna try that bass out someday too!

[johnallg]

WOW!

[shamustwin]

Hmmm...
Do I see a trifecta in my future?

[cheyenne]

Very cool. Verrrrrry cool indeed!

Andy you sly fox! I'd have never guessed this one in a million years. Congratulations on a truly stunning idea and instrument.

And Paul,,,,what can I say? You continue to out-do yourself with every project you complete.

Kudo's to both of you.

[paologregorio]

So, does something like this get an official RIC model number? When you built this, did you have to get any sort of approval from RIC, or, being that you are the official builder for all acoustic Ricks, do you have complete freedom in what you decide to build? Just curious...

I do not have "complete" freedom on acoustics, CJ; I can build flat-tops only. RIC has decided to retain the manufacturing rights to the arch-topped Jazz-Bo, although JH was quite kind to permit me to build one for myself.

There are two more basses like this in the works: One for JH, and one for myself.

Now that this development project is out of the way, I've got a traditional nylon-stringed Rickenbacker classical in the works, with all-new construction details (designed at RIC, not by me). I'm sure JH will give this one a new model #.

Ah, a new model number. Does this mean that customers will be able to order this bass, or was it a three-only experiment? Just curious.

[jingle_jangle]

My "model number" comment refers to the classical nylon-stringed guitar that's in the works.

And, yes, you can order this bass from me...I have the patterns which were generated from this prototype project.

[paologregorio]

My "model number" comment refers to the classical nylon-stringed guitar that's in the works.

And, yes, you can order this bass from me...I have the patterns which were generated from this prototype project.

Ah, thanks for the clarification, and the info.

Happy weekend, and thanks again for sharing the pics.

[paul_yan]

Lovely!!!

[admin]

Lovely!!!

Oh yes it is, yeah.

[bosco64]

I think I just fainted....

[heinpete]

WOW!!! Stunning!!! I nearly peed in my pants!
Now I can dream more precisely of the features my ol lady will have some day.

[jingle_jangle]

When I return your "old lady", Peter, I will be sure to put some diapers in her case.