UK Pearl White Specials

[fireglo67]

As I understand it, Rosettis ordered standard spec white 330's.
A couple of people badgered Ben to up the spec on these to something truly special. Ben took our suggestions on board and then created the stunning finished article that we now have. Which is far more than any of us could have hoped for.

I think they went with the C63 neck to keep it close to the Harrison guitar, and also to offer something completely new and unique.
The Japan C63 six string guitars had a 350V63 neck which has a completely different profile and feel to the Pearl White 330's.
The headstock on the Pearl white is fine. The length from the last tuner to the tip, looks exactly the same as the headstock on my 2005 330/6 blueboy, but the one on the pearl white looks far better as it is slimmer and balances the guitar out much better.

Beyond the cosmetics, the guitar plays and sounds better than any other guitar I've ever played.
If they ever decided to do a 12 string version of this (which is now probably very unlikely due to all the whining knob heads) I would be first in the queue.

[k43rover]

The Japan C63 six string guitars had a 350V63 neck which has a completely different profile and feel to the Pearl White 330's.

That's interesting. Have you had chance to play one of the Japan C63 six strings?

If they ever decided to do a 12 string version of this (which is now probably very unlikely due to all the whining knob heads) I would be first in the queue.

I don't think it's fair or balanced to characterise the, in my opinion, reasonable views of paying customers in the way you just have Rob. While I personally agree with your opinion that the headstock shape is not an issue, clearly some other people who have bought the guitar hold a very different opinion and I respect their entitlement to hold and express their view.

My opinion is that on an open forum like this for people who love the brand and care about its products and future, we are all entitled to express our views (providing its done in a respectful way). While you may feel frustrated with the views others express, and the possible impact that may have on factory product planning, the only logical alternative that I can think of which would meet your frustration would be for a board like this to be heavily censored and the moderators to only permit one-sided "fanboy" type comments. I personally think it would be a very sad day if the forum headed in that direction. Frankly, my own view is that somewhere down that road lies the logic of further inhibition of freedom of expression. The image which pops into my mind whenever I hear a comment like this is one of people with hate-filled faces burning books....

[fireglo67]

The Japan C63 six string guitars had a 350V63 neck which has a completely different profile and feel to the Pearl White 330's.

That's interesting. Have you had chance to play one of the Japan C63 six strings?

If they ever decided to do a 12 string version of this (which is now probably very unlikely due to all the whining knob heads) I would be first in the queue.

I don't think it's fair or balanced to characterise the, in my opinion, reasonable views of paying customers in the way you just have Rob. While I personally agree with your opinion that the headstock shape is not an issue, clearly some other people who have bought the guitar hold a very different opinion and I respect their entitlement to hold and express their view.

My own opinion is that as an open forum for people who love the brand and care about its products and future, we are all entitled to express our views (providing its done in a respectful way). While you may feel frustrated with the views others express, and the possible impact that may have on factory product planning, the only logical alternative that I can think of which would meet your frustration would be for a board like this to be heavily censored and the moderators to only permit one-sided "fanboy" type comments. I personally think it would be a very sad day if the forum headed in that direction. Frankly, my own view is that somewhere down that road lies the logic of futher inhibition of freedom of expression. The image which pops into my mind whenever I hear a comment like this is one of people with hate-filled faces burning books....

Eddie. The comment was directed at the people who have personal issues with the company/Hall family. Their interest is only to fuel their personal feud, and has nothing to do with guitars.

Debate is great.
I'm certainly not a blinkered sycophant. I've had more posts deleted on here than most, and I've also been banned from the official forum for expressing 'views'.

Every feature on these guitars is there for a reason. The only feature which is questionable was the smaller gold pickguard. They used the ones they had in stock. They look OK, but not great, but that's a £40 piece of plastic on a £2000 guitar. Most people outside of forum wont have even noticed them, but for those of us that have, it's a 5 minute fix.
It's no big deal and certainly not worthy of the amount of hatred and anger that has been vented towards the company by certain people.

[k43rover]

Eddie. The comment was directed at the people who have personal issues with the company/Hall family. Their interest is only to fuel their personal feud, and has nothing to do with guitars.

Debate is great.
I'm certainly not a blinkered sycophant. I've had more posts deleted on here than most, and I've also been banned from the official forum for expressing 'views'.

Every feature on these guitars is there for a reason. The only feature which is questionable was the smaller gold pickguard. They used the ones they had in stock. They look OK, but not great, but that's a £40 piece of plastic on a £2000 guitar. Most people outside of forum wont have even noticed them, but for those of us that have, it's a 5 minute fix.
It's no big deal and certainly not worthy of the amount of hatred and anger that has been vented towards the company by certain people.

That's all fair comment Rob..BTW sorry to hear you were banned from the official RIC forum!

I also 100% agree with your point about personalisation of comments against RIC/family members - of course that's entirely unacceptable. But in the same way I think it's just as unacceptable to characterise the views (so far very reasonably expressed in my opinion) of people who have bought the guitar using the language you did. Normally I wouldn't get involved in these types of forum discussion as I find they just go nowhere...but in this case, as I actually bought one of these guitars I feel I should comment. Furthermore, as soon as I heard about the guitar I also recommended it to a friend of mine who loves Rickenbackers but who doesn't spend his life on forums like this one - and he placed a deposit the day after me - there is no way he would have bought one of these guitars had I not tipped him off, so I also feel in part responsible for his purchase decision. Now, I know for a fact he too is overall delighted with the guitar but he also shares several of the concerns that others have already expressed. That doesnt mean he is moaning or ungrateful or massively disappointed or filled with hate or whatever...it just means he has a brain and a pair of eyes and a view which is not in any way expressed via anger or hatred towards RIC or the family! My real point here is that it pays to be careful with how views are expressed or responded to or things can go downhill pretty fast.

[fireglo67]

Fair point Ed.
I don't post much on here any more as I've not got much interest in pets or flamenco guitar, but because of some of the rubbish being spouted on here and FB about the white 330's, I just felt the need to come in and fight the other corner.
I've said my bit now so I shall once again retire to the shadows.

[k43rover]

Fair point Ed.
I don't post much on here any more as I've not got much interest in pets or flamenco guitar, but because of some of the rubbish being spouted on here and FB about the white 330's, I just felt the need to come in and fight the other corner.
I've said my bit now so I shall once again retire to the shadows.

Good stuff Rob...I love a fighter! I even respect your view (after all I'd be a right hypocrite now if I didn't)

BTW I completely agree with your point re the rubbish on Facebook...I am sure I am swimming against the current on that one (I'm just putting my hard hat on), but I find that website a complete and utter waste of space (with the one notable exception of the excellent RIC page of course!! )

[david/wales/u.k]

Fair point Ed.
I don't post much on here any more as I've not got much interest in pets or flamenco guitar, but because of some of the rubbish being spouted on here and FB about the white 330's, I just felt the need to come in and fight the other corner.
I've said my bit now so I shall once again retire to the shadows.

Don't stop coming on here Rob...I've only been on the forum a little while but have found your contributions really helpful ....BTW...I'm taking my guitar to the Technician you recommended later this month.....I spoke to him and he mentioned you when I said I had a Ric!! ( I told him that you had put me on to him )...will let you know how it goes.......costing me a small fortune in transport and accomodation but I'm sure it will be worth it....The power these Rics have over us hey!! .

[johnhall]

I'm certainly not a blinkered sycophant. I've had more posts deleted on here than most, and I've also been banned from the official forum for expressing 'views'.

Rob, I just looked at the list of the (only!) 28 people banned from the RIC Forum, most of whom are Chinese spammers, and I don't see that you're on that list. Unless you're using some weird user name, there must be some error.

[fireglo67]

I'm certainly not a blinkered sycophant. I've had more posts deleted on here than most, and I've also been banned from the official forum for expressing 'views'.

Rob, I just looked at the list of the (only!) 28 people banned from the RIC Forum, most of whom are Chinese spammers, and I don't see that you're on that list. Unless you're using some weird user name, there must be some error.

No, this was a while ago, I said sorry and you let me back in.

[libratune]

If they ever decided to do a 12 string version of this (which is now probably very unlikely due to all the whining knob heads) I would be first in the queue.

Rob, I initially thought your reference to "whining knob heads" was to the six extra tuning machines that would have to be installed to make this 6er into a 12er.

I believe that a bit of lubrication would take the whine right out of those knob heads!

[fireglo67]

Rob, I initially thought your reference to "whining knob heads" was to the six extra tuning machines that would have to be installed to make this 6er into a 12er.

I think that conversion has already started on at least one of the 10 Pearl White 330/6 LE 1997 C63's!

I believe that a bit of lubrication would take the whine right out of those knob heads!

Tea! The answer Ron is tea. People need to drink more tea.

[yoyo]

Guys, is it only the upper Pickguard that's not the typical size or the lower one too?

[fireglo67]

Guys, is it only the upper Pickguard that's not the typical size or the lower one too?

The gold guards on the Pearl Whites are the type usually found on the 660 model.
If you want to change them to another colour/type you will either have to drill new holes for the bigger guards (not recommended) or get a custom set made to fit the existing drill holes (recommended)

[k43rover]

Guys, is it only the upper Pickguard that's not the typical size or the lower one too?

Both the upper and lower guards are significantly different in size and shape to the standard guards normally fitted to a 21 fret 330/360. As Rob noted, unfortunately you could only retrofit standard off-the-shelf guards by drilling additional holes in the body as the gold guards fitted at the factory were designed to go on a 660 guitar which has different spacings for the guard screws. So if you want to change them, the best route is to have bespoke guards made (or make them yourself) and have mount holes drilled in the guards to match up with the holes already drilled in the body.

[jingle_jangle]

...which will put the holes in some very odd places in the guards. Which would be a poor trade-off IMO.

I'd simply get a set of 330 guards made and drill the holes where they belong on a 330. Again, IMO.