Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hmm. That's why i generally keep my opinions to myself, critique (or kind of) in particular. I'm always afraid people will be offended, and i don't want to be the cause.
To answer the question: i don't think all instruments should be in transparent color, because there are lots of people who don't like transparent colors on guitars, and it's great there are options for everyone. That's just my own preference, nothing more. That refers to green/olive, too. And to any brand of guitars. Again: that's just a subjective opinion/preference, nothing more.

I myself, am not a big fan of 'cooler' colors like blues and greens in general on instruments. Most other solid colors work just fine for me. One of my favorite Fender/Dupont colors however, is Burgandy Mist.

I'm sorry if you were offended, Sheena. I was merely trying to pick your brain to clarify where in the green spectrum your preferences lay.

I was mainly referring to your own preferences. My choice of the word "should" was made in the absence of any other word in English that conveyed the same meaning. I had no intention of it sounding like you or me or anyone was dictating choices to anyone.

So, in other words, you believe that, as far as your personal likes are concerned, all guitars/basses (insert word of intention here) be of a type of finish that allows the natural wood grain to show through. But you accept the notion that other folks like solid colors...

Am I closer here?

To clarify the point, as far as i am concerned, i wasn't offended (offending me is very hard to do, anyway); like i said in my previous message, my intention is not to offend the others. My brain? What's that?
Seriously though, it's a bit closer, albeit i'd put it in a different way. If my daughter or a friend would want something in solid color as a present, they'll get it without a word, and i wouldn't criticize their choice. Because it's their choice. All of my guitars are of natural, transparent colors, and that's just my choice. I'm sure the future owners of those BBs will be happy to own them, and that's great!

The only colours I don't like on guitars are the colours I don't like on guitars, and they vary from guitar to guitar. I tend to like the more conservative finishes less (which for me would be more specifically browns), but as Paul's guitars prove, they can be stunning too. It's all a matter of personal preference, there is no right or wrong. I really like BB personally. As for "toddler like", I do tend to shy away from anything that suggests I might have to grow up a bit...

Interesting.... Like I said, I'm no fan of Blueboy myself; to be honest I have a general dislike of pale pastel colors--but having just said that, I make an exception for Sea Green, which for some unexplainable reason I love!

Like Will said above, the idea of a baby blue Rickenbacker just kind of turns me off--I keep imagining one in an equally pale shade of pastel pink--Yuck! Last year I stopped at a music store in Duluth, and saw prominently displayed some new acoustic guitars that were being marketed as starter guitars for little girls--they came in a choice of baby blue or light pink, and had heart-shaped soundholes: my first reaction was, "EEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!"

But like or dislike of certain colors is a highly subjective thing, of course.... Obviously, Purpleburst is not everyone's cup of tea either, LOL!

Melissa, I couldn't imagine a powder or barbie pink guitar myself. Daisy Rock sells tons of 'em, literally...and let's not forget Juliana's pearl powder pink Squier mini, which for some reason sits OK with me (I'm going to pull it out for a gig someday!)

I've owned a coral Fender Jazzmaster, and it was really nice.

A lot has to do with your sensitivity to colors and their social and gender-based associations, and to your preconceptions about color, too. (When I say "your" I'm saying "our".)

It's like cars...I know some guys who only buy black cars. When I see one, I tend to think "overcompensation" and "hard to keep clean"...

I once owned a gorgeous, show-quality restored, fully-optioned '55 Chevy Nomad wagon. It was a rare color combination: Coral and Shadow Gray Metallic, which were THE hot colors for '55 and were completely out of style a year later.

I could have sold it in a snap if it was any other color. It took months to sell...and in the end it went to a woman who bought it for her hubby as a birthday gift.

I still wonder what his reaction to it was...

I like colours that make me think of the sun. That is, in terms of what would look nice if I were sitting on a Greek beach (as opposed to a typical Blackpool one..). Anything that reminds me of Victorian furniture or a typical English day is usually out!

The only problem I do have with BB is it makes me look washed out..... where's that beach again?

Beauty is generally quite subjective. I never take any offense to anybody's implications that my blue boy 660's (I never was a big fan of light blue guitars before deciding that I needed my BBs) could be anything less that the most spectacular things in the world. I am pulled in two different directions on this, as at the same time as I have a philosophical view that it is a crime to cover up a beautiful wood with opaque paint, I can't imagine liking any color scheme better than my blue boys, between shape and the white binding combinations- and I also feel that way about the 4003 in BB.

I've been dreaming about a 660 in Coral lately. I like pinkish Fender guitars, and for me the 660 has the most 50's vibe of any Rick. Seems like it might be a good match!

Oh, and Blue Boy is my favorite Rick finish, ever. Blue Boy + gold is even better.

Cadillac Green Gretsch??? Now you're talking!!

Any chance of posting a pic or two in 'The Others' to refresh my memory, Paul?

Well, for what its worth......I love the Blue Boy finish. Reminds me totally of the Jim Reeves instruments from the early '60s.

What a great thread!!

For ME (I'm speaking only for my preferences) guitars and cars are "best" if they are original -- in color and equipment. I respect the craftsmanship and creativity that goes into custom guitars and custom cars, but I prefer the original. I own a classic car that is all original -- paint, interior, wheels, radio, tools, jack, everything -- for which I searched long and hard. It's not the most beautiful or spectacular car on the road but there's something about its purity that appeals to me.

Some guitars I see look like the "Pimp my Ride" version of the original, but just as with the guys who take a 1968 Nova and make it some spectacular car painted metallic violet with lifters, side pipes, 21 inch wheels, DVD screens, and 60 thousand watt stereos, I respect and admire folks who customize guitars and guitar finishes. These individuals, like Paul, are very talented artists and technicians who do extremely fine and meticulous work. I just don't happen to gravitate toward special colors, finishes, and trim. The BB doesn't do it for me and to be honest the 75th color scheme from what I've seen of it in person and in pictures might not do it for me either. A small part of me would have loved a 75th anniversary guitar that replicated the uncomplicated beauty of a mapleglo Capri.

But as I say this, the Capri Paul had at the 75th was about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in a guitar. If I could have afforded it I would have bought it. In addition, I did buy a 360 75th to own a part of history )regardless of color or equipment) and maybe I'll fall in love with the color when I open that case in a week or two. And although the color scheme might not be my preference, I certainly am appreciative that John made these models available and affordable.

In the end, however, I like the simplicity of a mapleglo 330 or a natural 700 or 730. Individual preference, and I think this is what all of us are saying or implying, however, doesn't diminish the efforts and artistry of a craftsmen like Paul OR the efforts and artistry of John Hall and his folks who create guitars like the 75th.

I'm not a big fan of BB either. But I'm a HUGE fan of Seagreen. I think where BB loses me is the lack of contrast between the color and the white pickguard and binding. Colors like Coral or Seagreen have enough contrast and just look so darned retro-cool against that white guard! BB with the gold pickguards looks nicer in my opinion, but still has the white binding to bug me.

If the binding is gonna get "lost" in a pale color, I'd just assume have an S model. They're more comfortable!

(Jeff's $.02!)

Some of us like BB for exactly the reason that you don't like it, Jeff--the subtlety of the contrast between the white and blue...