Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Graham, the vast majority of solid-color 381s, it's safe to say, have straight-grained or slightly spalted or discolored wood under the paint. The really nicely-flamed wood is generally saved for the MG guitars.

On my visit to the factory last March, there were about 12-15 381s being bound prior to scraping and finish sanding. Three that I noticed were probably going to be MGs. The remainder would be burst (FG or MB) and solid colors.

My own 381, which is MB, has a nice ripple to the wood; nothing outrageous, but just enough to set off the burst. Obviously, a burst done over outrageous birdseye or flame, would just be too over the top, bordering on bling-tasteless.

Not to say that it wouldn't be a real rarity...

What's wrong with Spalted Maple?

Nothing on the Zon Sonus or other very contempo instrument, maybe even a 4004, but could you imagine it on a more trad Rickenbacker instrument?

A 381 in spalted maple would probably have everyone wondering how long it had been left out in the rain...

I like spalted maple.

Me, too, but not on a Rickenbacker, except perhaps the aforementioned 4004.

I've not seen the gold hardware before like on the one from Andrew's link. Is this generally available from Rickenbacker?

It's not gold. It's just the lighting on the tailpiece.

What's wrong with Spalted Maple? ]

It's too spalty for me.