NAMM 2014

[redamber]

Possibly there to prevent damage in case of an earthquake.

More likely to stop an RRF member doing a 'smash and grab' of one of these fantastic models!!

[paologregorio]

The guitars and basses are nice and light. The maple necks and fretboard do not have UV; they're bare/oil finished, like the rest of the instrument.

I'm surprised to hear these may be lighter weight. But the oil-finished fingerboard is definitely going to make several bassists, guitarists and techs doing fret work really happy. (I like gloss just fine thanks, but I've got no qualms with oil either--though it's may be a good idea to have gloss on a fretless fingerboard.)

The bass is two pounds lighter than a standard 4003. The guitars are noticeably lighter as well; I had the opportunity to hold both the 360 and the 330. I confirmed that the necks are oil finished just like the bodies.

[cassius987]

The bass is two pounds lighter than a standard 4003. The guitars are noticeably lighter as well; I had the opportunity to hold both the 360 and the 330. I confirmed that the necks are oil finished just like the bodies.

Somebody measured? That's like 7 and a half pounds, really light weight as average basses go. I played a Lull P4 once that weighed 7.25 lbs and it seemed like a feather (in a good way).

[epitreture]

The 360/12W is very aestheically pleasing with the white binding. All of these models are very stylish.

[arbiter]

I love maple neck/fretboard fenders, but not really on Rics. They don't look that attractive to me either. Kinda bummed

To each his own.....

[arbiter]

Ok, I won't be all negative....At least the 4003W looks great!

[manta]

Graham, I guess you haven't tried playing a RIC with the oiled maple neck. Smooth as silk. Wait until you get one in your hands. You may change your mind.

[beefandbones]

I'm somewhat surprised that RIC hasn't made an all-Maple guitar in this oil-finish style. The standard 330/360/4003 body and neck wood is maple, so they'd just need to alter the neck/fretboard design, and give it an oil finish. Personally I'm not super keen on dark and light woods together, but I think all-maple would be pretty cool. I suppose they don't do that, though, since Mapleglo seems to be a less-popular standard finish.

[xpitt]

Robert,

Yes, this was one of those new old stock guitars at a guitar store that I stumbled upon on E-Bay that, by some stroke of luck, went for a really good price. So I had some ideas and between Craig Lavin doing the inlays and Paul Wilcynski (our Jingle Jangle here on the RRF) creating a new headstock and LOTS of other work the ideas became reality.

The story is in this RRF thread:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=379871&hilit=Tumon ... 75#p722004

You will find that Alex Pittwohn here on the RRF and I are big advocates of the walnut bodies.

Best,

Manta

I really like this Walnut Wonder series, the pics on RIC's main site don't do justice to this beautiful wood.
This link is about my conversion of a 380 L into a 12 string, however a clearcoat finish like on Tim's keeps remaining a great wish:
viewtopic.php?f=106&t=392360&hilit=380
The first pics don't work anymore, go to the end.
I removed the pickguard again, I find that the look of the whole walnut body is much nicer.
I also changed back to HB 1 's just recently, but with a push-pull option on the 5th knob for coil splitting, so that I have the better jangle with the single coils, but also can avoid humming by using both coils when disturbing lights or similar bad electric sources are around .
Here is the "Walnut Family":
viewtopic.php?f=106&t=407070
So this new W series quite hit me in the heart. Though I must say it would have been a great chance for RIC to offer with the 360/12W (or 330/12W) at least one semihollow 12 string with a wider neck. But anyway: to see it on the positive side : Tim's and my 380L/12 seem to be still unique ( besides some one offs).
Tim, a 330W was my first thought as well. Let me know ! Maybe I have a chance to have a look at both in summer

[bassduke49]

I'm somewhat surprised that RIC hasn't made an all-Maple guitar in this oil-finish style.

Mmm. Mapley goodness:

[xpitt]

I'm somewhat surprised that RIC hasn't made an all-Maple guitar in this oil-finish style.

Mmm. Mapley goodness:

Nakedtuxweb.jpg

The duke has got 'em all !

[rickenbrother]

My short and sweet review on the Walnut series:

Visually and sonically appealing and they weigh less than their maple bodied counterparts. RIC hit a home run with these.

[johnallg]

Can't help thinking this finish would look best on a 4004, brown natural is definitely more popular in the bass world.
All the same its great Rickenbacker is doing something a bit different for 2014, good job guys.

Interesting, as I play bass and think the guitars look a lot better.

[johnallg]

IIRC , Joey Vasco inquired about the possibility of a 4004 Walnut as well.
I may have imagined the whole thing. . . . I was taking painkillers due to surgery. . .

No, as medicated as you were, you didn't imagine it. I did ask Ben if he planned on making any 4004s with walnut bodies and maple fretboards. Was I thinking about the possibility of a reincarnated 4004C? YES, of course, as well as a 4004LW.

The 4004C has a lot more contoured body than a 4004L or Cii. That would be a difference, along with gold vs chrome hardware.

[johnallg]

N I C E !