-New wood supplier
-Scatterwound Toasters
-smaller headstocks
-full width inlays
On the improvements front:
I own a `93 381/6, which is a great guitar. I didn't know how it was possible for RIC to make them any better than mine was made, but I played a brand new 381/6 in JG at NAMM today. The guitar is lighter, more resonant, and the Scatterwound toasters sound better, either clean or when overdriven, than the hot toasters do on my `93. The guitar is far superior to my "old" 381, as good as it is, IMO, and I like the sharper points on the body horns as well.
On the new products front, Vox has redone the AC30 Classic series, itroducing a nedw "C2" and "C2X" model, which is a really cool redesign/upgrade:
-it's back to a four input amp: separate hi and lo inputs for both the normal and tpop boost channels
-the top panel switches for "standard/custom" tone, anbd "hi/lo" drive on the reverb have been eliminated (good, they can be confusing!)
The location of the power and preamp tubes has been flipped upside down and placed at the back of the amp so they're visible from the back panel, which has also been redesigned; the back is completely covered, though still "open, as a large portion of the rear panel is a mesh grill surrounded by the tolex covered wood frame, through which the tubes areclearly visible, as well as the transformers and cap-all of the component locations are like those of a Fender Twin Reverb.
The Vox Night Train amp is super cool as well!! /MAgacool amp.
I was also able to check out Hayden amps, as well as the line of bass amps. HAnd wired, class A, made in the UK! I wouldn't have even known about the compan y but for this forum, so thanks guys.
I got to meet Fred Gretsch, as well as try out a couple of different Gretsch Jet guitars; amazingly light and beautiful to play.
That's it, so far. More tomorrow maybe, eh?
