Bubinga to Caribbean rosewood?

[Matt Clark]

Maybe he owns a bubinga farm.

Nope but I've got a chain saw!

[RIC_FACTORY]

So I guess this means that Matt Clark is the only one "disturbed" by this?

Apparently.

Although I think there were a few folks in there that said they prefer the old school too.

If I had known or seen it sooner I would have said something then. It's not often I see new RICs hanging up in guitar stores and I don't see any on the RIC web site (or anywhere else). They all seem to still show the iconic bubinga. It's probably something you guys should fix.

Ben, now that Guitar Center stopped carrying your stuff, I've got to travel about 230 miles to Austin, as no one in the Dallas area (the 9th largest city in the USA) carries you anymore. ...and I'm wondering why that is? Unless you know of someone I don't. If you do, give me a heads up and I would love to go visit them.

Doesn't really matter. Just because you're fond of potentially violating a law doesn't mean I should do it. Then again, it's easy to play armchair guitarmaker when you're in front of your keyboard and not making the product.

We dumped GC six years ago, way to keep up on current events. You're right, Ricks don't generally hang in the stores for too long, there's a reason for that. And as a matter of fact Matt, don't bother driving anywhere, I'd rather you not buy a Rick.

[cjj]

I have to admit, when RIC decides to change the way things are done, I'm always a bit bothered because it will mean that I won't be able to get something that's made just like they used to be.

But on the other hand, new and different is often good. I know enough about RIC to know that they do not do things just to cut costs and to try to make a few more bucks. I fully trust that they have done a lot of research and have decided that any changes they make will not, in any way, diminish the quality of the instruments that we know and love, and in many cases, will actually improve them.

Yeah, I like the bubinga fretboards that have been made for the last however many years. And yeah, I'm a bit sad to hear that they will be no more. But looking at the new Caribbean rosewood boards, well, they do look great. Yeah, they're different, but it's definitely not a change to some cheaper, lower quality material. This will be yet another defining period in the timeline of RIC instruments, just like when they reintroduced full width inlays, went to 2 piece necks on the bass models, etc.

As long as RIC keeps producing top quality instruments, it's all good...

[RIC_FACTORY]

As an ordinary customer I say:

I would prefer a guitar, that is build with a more balanced grain from any legal wood. I case of doubt (I have doubts, BTW), damn this rosewood focussed thing.

This new grain is too nervous for a slow down thing like a Rickenbacker, IMHO. Does not fit, even with a eco label hanging down from the headstock while playing - sorry, no way.

Just my (in a few month worthless) 2 Euros.

Ok, so what do you suggest? I'm all ears...

[rickenbrother]

I've never considered a Rickenbacker as being a slow down thing. I never will. It's all in the perception of the individual.

[RIC_FACTORY]

Hold up, a random guy from Texas with 70 posts wants to tell us what to do!

[Hotzenplotz]

As an ordinary customer I say:

I would prefer a guitar, that is build with a more balanced grain from any legal wood. I case of doubt (I have doubts, BTW), damn this rosewood focussed thing.

This new grain is too nervous for a slow down thing like a Rickenbacker, IMHO. Does not fit, even with a eco label hanging down from the headstock while playing - sorry, no way.

Just my (in a few month worthless) 2 Euros.

Ok, so what do you suggest? I'm all ears...

What I want to say: I know, every wood is different, that is influencing things in daily work, and endless so on.
Just one simple wish: ANY wood, ANY colour, but, please, a more balanced grain, please. Even marple would be fine. - A fine wood for a varnished fretboard, BTW.

[RIC_FACTORY]

As an ordinary customer I say:

I would prefer a guitar, that is build with a more balanced grain from any legal wood. I case of doubt (I have doubts, BTW), damn this rosewood focussed thing.

This new grain is too nervous for a slow down thing like a Rickenbacker, IMHO. Does not fit, even with a eco label hanging down from the headstock while playing - sorry, no way.

Just my (in a few month worthless) 2 Euros.

Ok, so what do you suggest? I'm all ears...

What I want to say: I know, every wood is different, that is influencing things in daily work, and endless so on.
Just one simple wish: ANY wood, ANY colour, but, please, a more balanced grain, please. Even marple would be fine. - A fine wood for a varnished fretboard, BTW.

A maple fretboard on all of our models, are you serious!? You guys haven't noticed the new rosewood in four months, and you suggest a MAPLE fretboard?

[Matt Clark]

So I guess this means that Matt Clark is the only one "disturbed" by this?

Apparently.

Although I think there were a few folks in there that said they prefer the old school too.

If I had known or seen it sooner I would have said something then. It's not often I see new RICs hanging up in guitar stores and I don't see any on the RIC web site (or anywhere else). They all seem to still show the iconic bubinga. It's probably something you guys should fix.

Ben, now that Guitar Center stopped carrying your stuff, I've got to travel about 230 miles to Austin, as no one in the Dallas area (the 9th largest city in the USA) carries you anymore. ...and I'm wondering why that is? Unless you know of someone I don't. If you do, give me a heads up and I would love to go visit them.

Doesn't really matter. Just because you're fond of potentially violating a law doesn't mean I should do it. Then again, it's easy to play armchair guitarmaker when you're in front of your keyboard and not making the product.

We dumped GC six years ago, way to keep up on current events. You're right, Ricks don't generally hang in the stores for too long, there's a reason for that. And as a matter of fact Matt, don't bother driving anywhere, I'd rather you not buy a Rick.

I meant fix the pictures so people know what they are getting, not the guitars.

I'm not wanting to make guitars at all, just don't like the change, for whatever reason. Protect yourself all you need to my friend. I manufacture as well (not guitars) and am familiar with your problems. I'm also not asking people to hate RIC because you've made the change. I just don't like your Dad tweaking my nose, or you for that matter.

I didn't say it was a current event, that's about time I bought my last new one--from Guitar Center--6 years ago. So, yes, for 6 years, no RICs in Dallas! Kinda my point buddy! Thanks for backing it up.

Too late, I've got 5 now and there's nothing you can do about it. But, perhaps your attitude is why no one in 300 miles cares your guitars? Maybe? I know I'll never directly give you a dime again. Happy?

[rickenbrother]

Okay, I'm getting to the point where I've had about enough here.

[Matt Clark]

A maple fretboard on all of our models, are you serious!? You guys haven't noticed the new rosewood in four months, and you suggest a MAPLE fretboard?

Just said, haven't seen a new RIC in 6 years... in Dallas! Last one I saw new was at the guitar show in Arlington a few months ago, not a single new neck there!!!

[Hotzenplotz]

A maple fretboard on all of our models, are you serious!? You guys haven't noticed the new rosewood in four months, and you suggest a MAPLE fretboard?

Oh, please keep it down!

It was just an extreme suggest, explaining the grain of the new wood looks bling-bling to me, just to me.
My opinion. Am I allowed to?

I said ANY wood, ANY colour! - Why so nervous? I am talking as a friend of the whole Rickenbacker thing. And yes, times are changing, available wood, too. - 100% agree.

I bought my guitar last year - old bad wood. Since then I was not looking for a new one, so I have not noticed the change. BTW: Is there a application deadline for opinions?

[Matt Clark]

Stain them, best thing I've heard in this whole thread.

[Hotzenplotz]

I would prefer a stained one, too!

I love the reddish, plain contrast. From what wood? It do not has to be expensive sounding.

[rickenbrother]

My opinion. Am I allowed to?

In a polite manner, yes.