"Grayglo"

[bassduke49]

Back in 2008 or '09 (I think), Rickenbacker produced a handful of guitars and basses in what collectors have called "Grayglo." Apparently it was produced by covering the black with a clear flat, then clear gloss as usual. The flat coat diffracts light, reducing the depth of the black resulting in a dark gray appearance.

Does anyone here have one of these basses? I'd like to get a good picture showing that "Grayglo" finish in "the project."

Anyone?

[markyl]

That sounds really interesting. I'd love to see some pics too!

[T.A.R.]

That sounds really interesting. I'd love to see some pics too!

+1

[libratune]

Back in 2008 or '09 (I think), Rickenbacker produced a handful of guitars and basses in what collectors have called "Grayglo."

I have a 360 in Grayglo and the serial no. dates it to the 29th week of 2007.

Here's a photo of the 360 Grayglo and a 370-12 Jetglo:

[bassduke49]

That's what I'm talking about. OK, 2007. Anyone have a bass in Grayglo?

[coolingitdown]

I remember there was a thread about this on the corporate forum. Maybe that'll lead you to some grayglo owners? Several of them were bassist, IIRC.

[Grey]

Kinda looks like Azure-left-out-in-the-sun-too-long-Glo.

[wj350]

Yep, 2007. The finish wasn't nearly as exciting to receive after waiting a year for what was supposed to be Jetglo....

[bassduke49]

Bill, do you have one?

[aceonbass]

Someone had a 4003 GG at the 2009 SCARF. I really liked it. It almost seemed to have a metalic quality to the paint under the overhead spotlights at the Yost theatre.

[wj350]

Hi Paul, I had a 325c64, 2007 model that was supposed to be Jetglo but turned out to be gray. I sold it. There appeared to have been an issue with Jetglo finishes in 2007, across the spectrum--I think there are probably some discussions here in the archives.

Bill

[Lefty4001]

I liked this finish when I first saw it. It was '07. Is this similar to the Autumnglo/Walnut difference? That technique would be a neat way to get a custom finish. Maybe you could use stencils or screens to create a matte image on a gloss background.

I didn't include any links because they may not be quite right and you may have seen them. If you haven't yet, do a Google Image search for "Grayglo 4003," you'll find a couple of examples, but nothing great. One has a black PG, but I can't speak to originality. You can see how the finish is more like graphite. I do remember the thread from the corporate forum about this, but when I looked there, the image link was no longer valid.

There is a "Matte Black" bass on Ebay right now, but it's not from 2007. At first I thought this might work, but on my screen it looks more like Krylon Sprayglo. Maybe it's the lighting or a fried chicken dinner.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-RICKENBACKER-4 ... 33678484e0

[bassduke49]

Thanks, John. No, the C64S from Olivias is not what I'm talking about. That is one of several done in 2009-2010 that a satin black finish. There were a couple of satin Midnight Blue, and at least one satin Fireglo done that way, too.

No, the Grayglo is not a satin finish, but glossy dark gray, created by a flat coat underneath.

[wints]

There was a custom "battleship grey" bass made back around '73 as well...

[Ivan3000]

Back in 2008 or '09 (I think), Rickenbacker produced a handful of guitars and basses in what collectors have called "Grayglo."

I have a 360 in Grayglo and the serial no. dates it to the 29th week of 2007.

Here's a photo of the 360 Grayglo and a 370-12 Jetglo:

10-fullsize.jpg

Those are beautiful!