Bringing back 360 WBs

[stringman]

Now I know this subject has been talked about before so lets compare the differences between the current 330-6 and the current 330-12 to make the possibility a reality. First the differences. The binding on both sides of the body, the bound soundhole, the bound neck, the triangle inlays, and I'm sure nobody will complain about the see through 330 12 headstocks. You can even use the current full triangle inlays from the current production of 360s. The 24 fret necks as well. So tell me why it is not possible as all these parts are already at the factory. Now I know you will have to set up CNC machines for production but seeing that Rick had these on line and running at one time the machines are at the factory. I don't see the issue. Now if you tell me that Rick has too many models that look alike then this is a moot point. But how many 24 fret deluxe 360 old style models do they have? The answer is none with the 24 fret configuration since the 360 WBs are gone. Ron

[libratune]

I obviously can't answer your question as it relates to RIC future production. However, as a practical matter it appears the guitars most closely resembling what you are looking for would be a 360/12C63 for a 12-er and a 360V64 (no longer in production) for a 6-er, but with the difference being 24 frets instead of 21 (and possibly hi-gains instead of toasters, though you didn't mention pickups).

Did I get that right?

[stringman]

Have the toaster option avalable but I was refering to the similarity between the current model 330 and the now extinct 360 WB. Again if you look at the 330 24 fret neck and you compare the WBs you are basically looking at the same guitar. So if all the parts are at the factory why cant Rick prouduce these again? Read my first post for comparison of both guitars.Ron

[winston]

The 360WB series had a 24 fret neck, hi-gains with a bound soundhole, R tailpiece, chrome top knobs and smaller inlays. The 360v64 series had a 21 fret neck, toasters, trapeze tailpiece, vintage style knobs, the soundhole was unbound and the inlays were full width.

There were other subtles differences also such as vintage Kluson tuners on the v64. I have a prefernce for any Rickenbacker instrument that is double bound.

I don't own a 360v63 series guitar yet so I am not as familiar with what variations if any were available.

[winston]

It takes a lot more work to create a double bound model and I believe (someone correct me if I am wrong) that when you crunch the numbers it is more profitable to produce unbound models in large volume. So hence the 330 is unbound.

[stringman]

Right Brian but Rick still makes the 360 12 c 63 bouble bound body. What I was refering to in my first post is the comparison between the current 330 model and the possibility of remaking the WBs based on the 330 models which has the 24 fret neck. How much trouble would it be to break out the old cnc machines for the double binding for the bodys and reissue the WBs? Please read my first post for comparison of the models. I also own a 360V64 6 Mapleglow.And am aware of the differences in the models.Read my first post then see if you agree.Ron

[jingle_jangle]

Right Brian but Rick still makes the 360 12 c 63 bouble bound body.

Not in huge quantities, and not very often, either.

Double-bounds are a huge PIA, and adding another arbitrary model with an unproven market, while there is a backlog, is counterproductive.

[stringman]

Well paul it appears to me that 330s sell very well for rick or they would be gone from the line also but they are not. So if the old cnc machines are still there and set up for the 360 WBs why not? And as far as demand I would think the need for the WBs is out there because 330s sell well and there are no deluxe 360 WB models currently in production.Ron

[winston]

Ron the additional routing for binding is not the issue when it comes to cost. It is all the other work that comes along after the routing has taken place. It is considerably more labour intensive to produce a DB instrument and I assume that RIC must have determined that the market is realtively small. Quite frankly it's tough for us to second guess when we are not privy to the information that is required to make an informed decision based on facts.

[stringman]

Well brian at least we are on the same page as far as loving double bound models.I also own a 360 12 WB double checked bound autumnglow custom ordered 1979 FC HALL. I'm sure you saw pictures this fourm. Ron

[winston]

Yes I did see your beautful guitar Ron. Paul A and myself are confirmed double bound Rickenbacker enthusiasts btw. We make no secret of that fact.

[paologregorio]

Yes I did see your beautful guitar Ron. Paul A and myself are confirmed double bound Rickenbacker enthusiasts btw. We make no secret of that fact.

"Enthusiast"?! Paul W. says I have a WB "fetish"!

Yep, every single Rick I own is double bound, and I even went to the extreme of buying a used 330 and sending it off to a luthier for conversion to a CB 360 WB in Blue Boy, which should be completed in the near future. I'll send pics when I get it.

A WB would probably cost as much as a 360/12 C63-somewhere between there and a 381 model. Given the market (what are there, about 12 of us here who are WB nuts? ), and the other factors mentioned, I think we'll be waiting a long time before WBs make a comeback, unless the recent limited run of Shinsedo 60th anniversary 360 C63s for the Japanese market is laying the ground work for more sometime in distant future-I doubt it. I'm not holding my breath, but I am holding on to my WBs!

[stringman]

Paul when that project is finished I think every person on this fourm will love it. Kudos to that. Ron

[jingle_jangle]

Yes I did see your beautful guitar Ron. Paul A and myself are confirmed double bound Rickenbacker enthusiasts btw. We make no secret of that fact.

"Enthusiast"?! Paul W. says I have a WB "fetish"!

Only because I've got the same fetish! But I only have 4 of them, if you don't count the acoustics.

[jingle_jangle]

So if the old cnc machines are still there and set up for the 360 WBs why not?

The "old" CNC machine is no more, and the new ones are not "set up for WBs". They're busy cranking out parts for everything else RIC produces.

Then there's the issues of binding, masking, scraping, finishing, detailing, of which WBs have more than twice as much as a 330...

Look at the list price on a 330, then at the price tag on a 381. A WB Rick would be closer to a 381 than a 330; might even cost more than a 381 to produce, as there is a proven market for the top-of-the-line Ricks.

I love WBs, BTW.