Black Trim

[sloop_john_b]

The earliest non-refin White 4001 in the register is Ilan's (dated 10/1973) and it has black plastic, as does almost every single other 70's white 4001. I think its safe to say that Black plastic was clearly a standard feature on White instruments from the get-go.

[cjj]

Of course, there are those rare white instruments that were ordered with "reverse" trim and so, have white binding and pickguards...

[bassduke49]

Yes. White on White is particularly attractive -- when it hasn't yellowed, anyway. This one belongs to Gary Clauson and makes me snow blind every time I see it:

[artisan4]

I am lucky enough to own a number of Rics in Mapleglo with Black Trim - one of my favourite combinations, which improves with age as the maple matures into that wonderful honey gold colour. Out of curiosity, does anyone on the Forum know when Rickenbacker stopped offering Black Trim as an option?

It does look cool; it reminds me of an old Chris Craft boat...

[antipodean]

I have a lurking suspicion that I saw a pre-'73 white with white trim 360 a few years back.... My hazy recollection is that there was some dispute over the originality of the finish. In any event, '73 seems to be the earliest year for BT.... Though there is probably on exception waiting to pop up!

[Matt Clark]

All I've got to say is bring it back!

Along with the stark white finish (preferably one that doesn't yellow) instead of the nasty pearl white, yuck!

If they brought it back, they could do a canary yellow too. Awesome! The Yellow Submarine edition!

It makes me mad to think if my "R" tail piece was to break (which they do) that I couldn't replace it without spending a huge amount more to sandblast and powder coat it black again.

[redamber]

Thanks for all the responses - very helpful.

Here is another black trim Ric from my collection - a 2002 620-6 in COY Desert Gold with Black Trim. In terms of looks, this is truly the dog's b******s. Although reasonably rare, amazingly this one turned up less than 10 miles from where I live. If there was ever a case to bring back the Black Trim option, surely this is it.

[sloop_john_b]

Rare specimen you've got there!

[redamber]

Thanks John. The 620-6 DG BT was listed on my local Gumtree site and the seller had no real idea of its true value. The guitar was so keenly priced that I did not even try to haggle - I just paid the asking price and bought it before someone else appeared on the scene. One of my very best Ric buys!

[bassduke49]

DG with BT/BH is rare, alright. The person ordering that payed extra for "reverse trim" as Desert Gold came standard with white/chrome trim. I believe the BT/BH option was discontinued in 2002, likely within a year of this instrument's birth. Once in a while, a Silver with white/chrome trim pops up; Silver came standard with BT/BH, so one would have paid extra to get it with the white/chrome.

[epitreture]

All I've got to say is bring it back!

Along with the stark white finish (preferably one that doesn't yellow) instead of the nasty pearl white, yuck!

If they brought it back, they could do a canary yellow too. Awesome! The Yellow Submarine edition!

It makes me mad to think if my "R" tail piece was to break (which they do) that I couldn't replace it without spending a huge amount more to sandblast and powder coat it black again.

+1 !

Does anyone know the reason this option was discontinued? Was it a cost problem or was it just a matter of not enough consumer demand?