Four new models?

[longhouse]

Further, the "old" F-bodies are cumbersome because of their XXL size, especiallly width.

I'd like to cast my vote for the XXL dimensions. My Epi Elitist Chet Atkins Country Deluxe, in addition to having the longest model name of any guitar, is super wide -and I love it!

'course maybe I just like guitars which make me look thinner.

Here's hoping Ric will dazzle us all.

[scotty]

Gawd i need big guitars! lol the 620 makes me look like a beast, Im sure ric will dazzle cant wait to see the new FGs Eric.

[libratune]

Further, the "old" F-bodies are cumbersome because of their XXL size, especiallly width.

I'd like to cast my vote for the XXL dimensions.

I should have been clearer. I wasn't saying that I personally find the F bodies cumbersome, nor was I saying I advocate the production of a scaled-down F body Rick. Rather, I was looking at this from the RIC production side and speculating as to what Eric was implying.

I personally like the "old" F-bodies. The body is no wider (and in some cases, less wide) than the best that Gibson or Gretsch has to offer. Besides, a reduced-size F-body would be a contradiction in terms: "F" = "full-sized." A 360-sized F-body would carry with it the same inherent contradiction as a jumbo shrimp.

[sloop_john_b]

Keep it big!

If it comes back, of course.

Which would be wonderful.

[jingle_jangle]

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

T3 fan here...

[longhouse]

T3 = great guitar with hideous F-holes

[Bighouse]

I like re-issue models...but, I have to say that I'm always delighted to see something really new too. I wish all guitar manufacturers would keep making their big-sellers AND somehow find some design space to really innovate. I don't see how a company could ever stay truly current and relevant if it doesn't come out with totally new models that are unique as well as clearly identifiably linked to the firm.

I'd love to see RIC come out with some instruments that none of us have ever seen before...and I'm not just talking about hardware color, finishes, inlays, etc. etc...I'm talking about an entirely new kind of animal. Maybe that's crazy, but in 50 years will we still be seeing the same body shapes and hardware/finish options out of Santa Ana? I sure hope we see more!

[jingle_jangle]

T3 = great guitar with hideous F-holes

Don't agree on that. Altogether, a nice design and the bound sound holes are a lovely detail.

Although if you only like slash or "F" holes, then your preconceptions will color your perceptions...

[longhouse]

I don't know Paul; the T3 soundholes conjured images of skanky barflies with leather pouches on their belts for their smokes. Ew.
The little bridge across the middle of the plume-shaped soundholes further wrecks the visual appeal -even it improves the sounds; 'least according to my guitar shop.

A few design tweaks would have put the guitar over-the-top in my opinion (maybe some single coils while we're at it).

[jingle_jangle]

A single coil T3 would basically be a T5, which is my preferred Taylor anyway, especially with that body sensor system.

[sloop_john_b]

What is with all this Taylor talk? Can we please get back to F's, people?

[jimk]

Took a look at some of those Taylors online. I think I'd go for a Rick F model if they were built like they were in the early years, and had an MSRP equal to the Taylors.
JimK

[jingle_jangle]

What is with all this Taylor talk? Can we please get back to F's, people?

One of the first things that impressed me about the first T-5s I saw in person (at the Taylor factory, which is like a morgue these days, I understand...), was the similarity in concept to an older Rick "F". They had machined, sculpted billet sapele backs (sort of midway in shape between a shallow-bowl Ovation and a square-back 330) and applied spruce tops. Thanks to the miracles of CNC, a lot had been done to bring both design and fit and finish well into the 21st century. The "binding" on those Freudian sound holes was, in fact, laser-cut ABS, which fit into the the pre-cut openings like a glove.

The backs have quite a nice compound curve to them, with flush-mounted access panels which are injection-molded and also compound-curved, if memory serves me.

The thought and planning that went into these was very impressive.

Too bad about those solid bodied models... very well-made but ugly and boring.

[jch]

I'm sure the T3/T5's are great guitars,they sound great when Doyle Dykes is playing them!
But they just don't excite me.

[jingle_jangle]

I've played them and the sound is clean and very modern...perhaps a bit "dry". They feel very good to me.

However, the T5/12 string is in a class of its own for sound if you're playing clean semi-acoustic stuff. Sounds great through a chorus used with discrimination.