Four new models?

[ajish4]

I'd love to see a RI 1999.

After playing Wints 64, I've had the bug REAL BAD.

A 1999RI with all the benefits of new construction, and a neck like those 64's would be to DIE FOR.
Basically a carbon copy of the 64 body & neck wise, with current HS/toaster & electronics with the VTC, would flush me out of the buying draught.

Hmmm, how about a 1999FL too? Oh boy.......................here come those payments again!

[tmossman]

Aw, come on, it's not as if any UK artists have been influential in the promotion of the Rickenbacker brand worldwide.

Well apart from...(In no particular order)

Bass...
Martin "Youth" Glover of Killing Joke
Guy Berryman of Coldplay
John Entwistle of The Who
Bruce Foxton of The Jam
Simon Gallup of The Cure
Roger Glover of Deep Purple
Graham Gouldman of 10cc
Bob Hardy of Franz Ferdinand
Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order
Lemmy of Motörhead
Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols
Paul McCartney of The Beatles & Wings
Gary "Mani" Mounfield of Primal Scream & ex-The Stone Roses
Peter Quaife of The Kinks
Paul Simonon of The Clash
Chris Squire of Yes
John Taylor of Duran Duran
Roger Waters of Pink Floyd
Christopher Wolstenholme of Muse
Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones

Just to stand up for the power pop bands that don't get their just love around here some more UK Rick bassists (off the top of my head). Also in no particular order.

Nick Lowe - Nick Lowe / Rockpile
Duncan Reid - The Boys
Phil Brown - The Records
Michael Bradley - The Undertones
Colin Moulding - XTC
Martin Mason - The Chords
Dennis Smith - Secret Affair
Gaye Black - The Adverts
Frank Allan (Allen) - The Searchers
and of course
Woody - The Bay City Rollers

If I did the same with UK power pop guitarists the list would be two pages long.

[godber]

Woody - The Bay City Rollers

Ha, that killed me...

[seyesbass]

John Peel kept putting on "Shangalang" by the Rollers over the PA at the Floyds "Wish You Were Here" premiere at Knebworth in 75....it would start and about thirty seconds into the vocals he scratched the needle accross the record and threw it into the crowd.Was that a Rick on Shangalang? I think the Rollers bass was a 73 Jazz mostly.
Regarding the aluminium bridge as I said before a new version could be outsourced and with modern methods I bet they could be made better quicker and cheaper than the originals.
There are loads of really good companies over here in the UK that could do it!
Just a thought.

[weemac]

Colin Moulding's bass was a John Birch faker I think....

Eden.

[ajish4]

DOH!

Something that I didn't realize at first, 'cause it has 6 strings .......but......THE FACTORY IS SPRAYING MONTY BROWN AGAIN!

I JUST LOVE THAT COLOR especially now the way Eric is spraying them!

[tmossman]

I think the Rollers bass was a 73 Jazz mostly.

True, but this burgundy Rick showed up often (esp. after '78 or so after "Bay City" was dropped from the name) Oddly, they also used their Ricks (guitars and basses) often when playing on Japanese TV, even in the early years.

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Colin Moulding's bass was a John Birch faker I think....

Eden.

I think you are right on that one.

[beefandbones]

310??? I LOVE IT!!!!

[scoobster28]

Wait, I missed it. What does the fifth model look like? Or is this an inside joke that I missed?

[cassius987]

I think the RM1999 is great and all but I'd rather see newly designed models that reflect the good features of the 1999, like the dot inlays and absence of binding, instead of high priced reissues intended to completely mimic the original. Are these going to be fantastic? Yes, probably... but it really doesn't seem like any kind of leap forward to me. I was hoping RIC would push the envelope a little more with the 4003 line or 4004 line, or both even with the addition of a 5-string and the new 4003 bridge.

I'm not the one driving the car so I won't complain too much--but I thought I'd get it out there.

EDIT: I hope no one takes this as a dig on anyone or any group of people. And heck, I have no idea what RIC have up their sleeves...

[longhouse]

A new kind of F, muses Eric.

THAT is the sort of tease which I like to hear. Would I rob a liquor store or skip a house payment to have one? Yes.
Just let me know when RIC is ready to take advance orders...

[jch]

As long as it doesn't resemble the Taylor T3 we'll be on the right path!

[seyesbass]

Good points cassius,I dont think anyone will see that as a dig.

Rickenbacker's core bass 4001/4003 has done good business and will continue to do so, plus theres been the 4004 and the shorter runs of limited edition basses.
The 4000 series shape is the defining Rick bass shape and its a Rock icon much like the Strat and Les Paul so to stray too far from that iconic image with a new product could make a company go bust if it doesnt sell.
As for re-issuing the 1999 though....
The CS,V63 and C64 basses have been so close to the original 60s guitars that I coludnt see any reason why it wouldnt be possible to tweak them (mainly in the hardware detail) and get as close to a replica as you could imagine.The 4003 is not that far from the original 60s
guitar and in that respect its got to be simpler to get a proven "classic" on the market that will fly off the shelf than get into developing a new product with all the added risks.All the evidence on recordings and from players here on the forum etc.proves beyond doubt that the sound and feel of the RM in its original incarnation is in a class of its own.I think making that bass available again would be a step forward.
Heres hoping.

[libratune]

But what if it was a NEW kind of F? Hypothetically speaking...

Okay, I'm game.

There are two kinds of "old" Fs:

--the design from the late '50s / very early '60s, which were double bound with a variety of binding combinations for the deluxe models, some checkered, some not; also issued with 330-style unbound bodies. Advantage: control cavity very accessible.

--the design from the mid-60's on (I haven't seen any example more recent than 1969). Also double bound, checkered binding, only (to my knowledge) issued with deluxe appointments. Disadvantage: the controls are horribly inaccessible and mounted around the bottom edge of the guitar.

Eric used a code word: "new" -- as in 1965 360 NS (New Style) = top is not bound but rounded over"? On the other hand, "new" may be a general term simply indicating something other than a reissue; the body style could be that of a double-bound 360 O.S. or an unbound 330F. Checkered binding? Who knows.

Further, the "old" F-bodies are cumbersome because of their XXL size, especiallly width. To replicate this size would probably cause production and other RIC internal issues which are unknown to me. The XXL size would also cause problems in obtaining proper cases for them.

Taking these factors into account, my guess is that, if there is to be a "New F" model, it will be scaled down to be about the same length and width as a 330/360, but will retain the F body shape; the control cavity will resemble the one from the late-'50's; it may have a rounded-over front edge (or 360 O.S double-bound or 330 style = no edge binding) and be issued with a black or silver tolex case (with form-fit interior?!). Some open questions are: FWIs or dots (body style will dictate); fixed TP (big "R", regular "R" or trapeze) or vibrola (Kauffman or Ac'cent); 2 or 3 pickups. I am sure there are other variables.

So there I said it. I am probably totally off base, but it was a fun exercise!

[8mileshigh]

But what if it was a NEW kind of F? Hypothetically speaking...

Eric.........you suck!