Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?

[stringsncords]

A Rickenbacker 381V69 is an absolutely gorgeous instrument; the top of the line.

But, is it a Player's Instrument?

As far as I can remember, I've never seen one on TV - or live - being played in a band, except for John Kay.

There's very little on YouTube; primarily homemade demos.

Are they just too pretty to expose to the rigors of live performance?

[sloop_john_b]

Generally, yes -- they're too expensive and too pretty.

That being said, I can think of a few bands who were using them recently - Wilco, Fleet Foxes, The Decembrists. Here's Jeff Tweedy playing his earlier this year:

[deaconblues]

John Kay of Steppenwolf still uses a 381, too.

I've seen a 381 in a store maybe twice. I would wager that they're pretty rare compared to other models. Maybe the rarest.

[collin]

Not sure, but it'd be a damn shame to think that were the truth. I have a late 60's 381 and it's one of the best playing, best sounding Rickenbackers I've ever owned, I would gig it anywhere too..

[sloop_john_b]

Not sure, but it'd be a damn shame to think that were the truth. I have a late 60's 381 and it's one of the best playing, best sounding Rickenbackers I've ever owned, I would gig it anywhere too..

Oh, no doubt. I had one of the first reissues (December '87) and it was one of the finest Ricks I've ever owned. I gigged with it and recorded with it quite a bit.

[thisismusicinc]

Some years back there were a very cool 381 in montezuma brown for sale here in Norway. It certainly looked well played, though not abused. It had a P90 in bridge position, a bigsby and priced so low I could actually afford it. A cool player. But I waited too long and I still regret it.

[Danotron]

Mine is a John Kay but I have been known to gig with it...........

[jdogric12]

I stopped in a local GC to pick up some moongels and saw a 381/12v69 FG... a guitar I've wanted for a long time but never owned one. It was priced at $3999. NO THANK YOU!!!! lol

[paologregorio]

Before I bought Big Red, I gigged my six and 12 string 381s quite a bit. More recently, I loaned the 12 to Louis Gutierrez of the Three O'clock for a few gigs.
Sound mix isn't the best, but here's one live clip; the mix was bass-heavy that night:

[chefothefuture]

I've gigged with both my former '87 and '89….
Wish I still had them. The '87 with it's COA and super birdseye neck….