UK Pearl White Specials

[Wurlitzer]

I've been so disappointed in RIC the only hope I have left is 21 frets on the 330 and or the 360 and I doubt that will ever happen either. I thought California dreaming was a reality.

Cheer up Damon....the UK street retail on these 21 fret white reissue guitars was the equivalent of US $3,200 (or more). That will buy you a mint 21 fret '60s original 330 or 360 in the US. It's a close call, but I still prefer the '60's originals in terms of tone and playability...so there's plenty out there for you to go for.

Right

Sunken tops and bottomed out bridges.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Folks this is getting annoying...

RIC makes 300 instruments a week - that people are lined up two years for... 10 very special guitars were made and comments have on the whole been positive about them...

Why would RIC jeopardize the market for well made bog standard bread and butter models - when the experience of special one offs has been so negative for them...

Once a guitar is yours, you can do what you want with it and cycles of what "should have" come standard when it left the factory are now likely moot given John's latest responses...

Myself I think Eddie's mods to his own 330 are great...

But I don't fault RIC either for not delaying production of the endless numbers of JG/FG/MG (and now Ruby) 4003s, 360s and 330s that are their core business..

I would argue that the function of any musical instrument is to make music... No where have I heard anything that the sound of these instruments is anything other then great...

Me I would have liked to have one of these 10 myself... (and If was able to be able to buy Graham's on Ebay - then certainly could become part of this select club myself I could. It is no one's fault but my own that I am not in an income bracket that allows those kind of purchases).. To anyone lucky enough to have one of these special 330s - congrats!!! it sounds like they will be rare in the next little while at least...

I am happy with my latest Rick btw an 02 BG 620... So I can't complain..

[godber]

I've been so disappointed in RIC the only hope I have left is 21 frets on the 330 and or the 360 and I doubt that will ever happen either. I thought California dreaming was a reality.

Cheer up Damon....the UK street retail on these 21 fret white reissue guitars was the equivalent of US $3,200 (or more). That will buy you a mint 21 fret '60s original 330 or 360 in the US. It's a close call, but I still prefer the '60's originals in terms of tone and playability...so there's plenty out there for you to go for.

Right

Sunken tops and bottomed out bridges what a legacy.

Mine are neither.

[k43rover]

Right

Sunken tops and bottomed out bridges what a legacy.

I don't think that's a very balanced observation Damon...have you actually had chance to play many '60's Rick 6 string guitars? If you have, and they've all been like that, then you've been mighty unlucky. There are plenty of "under the bed" guitars in the US and although of course some will have structural issues many are in superb condition (I know as I've owned a few). If you care to invest the time in a proper search I'm sure it'd pay off with a guitar you were delighted with...

[k43rover]

Folks this is getting annoying...

RIC makes 300 instruments a week - that people are lined up two years for... 10 very special guitars were made and comments have on the whole been positive about them...

Why would RIC jeopardize the market for well made bog standard bread and butter models - when the experience of special one offs has been so negative for them...

Once a guitar is yours, you can do what you want with it and cycles of what "should have" come standard when it left the factory are now likely moot given John's latest responses...

Myself I think Eddie's mods to his own 330 are great...

But I don't fault RIC either for not delaying production of the endless numbers of JG/FG/MG (and now Ruby) 4003s, 360s and 330s that are their core business..

I would argue that the function of any musical instrument is to make music... No where have I heard anything that the sound of these instruments is anything other then great...

Me I would have likely t have one myself... (and If was able to be able to buy Graham's on Ebay - then I could. It is no one's fault but my own that I am not in an income bracket that allows those kind of purchases).. To anyone lucky enough to have one of these special 330s - congrats it sounds like they will be rare!

I am happy with my latest Rick btw an 02 BG 620... So I can't complain..

Great post Brian....IMHO you've made a lot of absolutely spot on points.

[rkbsound]

Folks this is getting annoying...

RIC makes 300 instruments a week - that people are lined up two years for... 10 very special guitars were made and comments have on the whole been positive about them...

Why would RIC jeopardize the market for well made bog standard bread and butter models - when the experience of special one offs has been so negative for them...

Once a guitar is yours, you can do what you want with it and cycles of what "should have" come standard when it left the factory are now likely moot given John's latest responses...

Myself I think Eddie's mods to his own 330 are great...

But I don't fault RIC either for not delaying production of the endless numbers of JG/FG/MG (and now Ruby) 4003s, 360s and 330s that are their core business..

I would argue that the function of any musical instrument is to make music... No where have I heard anything that the sound of these instruments is anything other then great...

Me I would have likely t have one myself... (and If was able to be able to buy Graham's on Ebay - then I could. It is no one's fault but my own that I am not in an income bracket that allows those kind of purchases).. To anyone lucky enough to have one of these special 330s - congrats it sounds like they will be rare!

I am happy with my latest Rick btw an 02 BG 620... So I can't complain..

Great post Brian....IMHO you've made a lot of absolutely spot on points.

10 guitars and how many unhappy customers? I don't think any. Some critiquing for sure, but it seems all owners are thrilled.

[Wurlitzer]

There will be more cooler than run of the mill rickenbackers made I don't doubt it.

Keep hope alive

Maybe reverse psychology will work.

[k43rover]

10 guitars and how many unhappy customers? I don't think any. Some critiquing for sure, but it seems all owners are thrilled.

I know several of the owners directly. All those people are very happy. However, I have heard (indirectly but from a reliable source) that one owner has really been struggling with the headstock shape and seriously considering selling the guitar back to the supplying dealer. If that's correct, I'd personally see it as a potential great opportunity to get one at a reasonable price (assuming the dealer didn't sell it on as a used guitar with a large mark-up over original retail). I have absolutely no doubt that if that guitar in as-new condition comes back onto the market at a price similar to the original retail price point it would be resold instantly.

[fireglo67]

Tom's Ric in this video (barring cosmetics and an extra pickup) is exactly the same construction and electronics as the 330 Pearl Whites.
Mike's vintage Ric and Tom's modern Ric in perfect harmony.
Who says they don't make them like they used to?
Awesome!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipbAY52uYIM&feature=plcp

[k43rover]

Tom's Ric in this video (barring cosmetics and an extra pickup) is exactly the same construction and electronics as the 330 Pearl Whites.
Mike's vintage Ric and Tom's modern Ric in perfect harmony.
Who says they don't make them like they used to?
Awesome!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipbAY52uYIM&feature=plcp

Excellent footage!! Great sound and that Fireglo shading on Tom's guitar looks just fantastic.

[Wurlitzer]

How come Tom Petty never uses the run of the mill guitar ?

[chucksimms]

That Rick Tom is playing might be the most beautiful one they've made in the last 10 years- the fireglo is stunning and the whole guitar just looks RIGHT. I wonder if we'll ever see another limited edition? That Rick Tom has would be a good place to start.

I was thinking about Rick's production the other day and wondering if the backlogs were diminishing. The local store here gets a bass every few months and it's GONE in two or three days without exception. Makes me think they could sell more if they could produce them.

[JakeK]

I saw both of Tom's custom Rics...

[krick]

Back to the pickguards for a minute. I took a spare gold 660 set I have and tried them on my 1997 reissue model. It appears to me that the lower guard lines up on my guitar just like the pics I have seen of the UK Specials. However, when I placed my unmodified 660 top guard between the pickups on my 21 fret 1997, I had to move the lower guard into an unusual looking location. I am thinking that the upper 660 guard was still used on the UK models but the "wing" or "tab" was trimmed to fit evenly between the pickups and keep the guard set in a normal looking location. I believe the original spec for these models included 24 frets so possibly the upper guards were already cut for those. Seeing the Facebook photo of several 24 fret bodies with f-holes, this makes sense to me. On another note, maybe we will see some special 24 fret models with f-holes listed by the "RIC-Outlet" on eBay sometime in the future.

[jps]

Right

Sunken tops and bottomed out bridges.

Not this one!