Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

You seem to be doing a fine job, John.

Jeff, what a pal!

As to when the CNCs went online, how does July 8, 1996 sound, starting with the 330 guitar bodies and phasing the rest in over the course of the next year. I have that info on good authority.....

Let me reiterate that before the CNC machines, the bodies were still routed out, but by hand, guided by a jig. So I don't see a big difference except for the CNC being more accurate, producing a better fitting instrument, especially the neck pocket. The necks are hand sanded just a tad on a belt sander to JUST nestle into the pocket. I've watched the person responsible for this and he has to push to get the neck in, so you know it is a solid joint.

beatlefreak wrote:You seem to be doing a fine job, John.

Give anyone enough rope and they can hang themselves!

Thanks John, I really appreciate the info.

What I'd really love is a video of how a rick is made, from tree to geetar!

I thought that CNC production, at least partially, started when RIC moved to the new (present ) building in the '80s. As the years went by more operations were done by CNC.

I love my CNC cut `97 WB-it's perfect. It was one of the last, and it's one of the best guitars I have:

While there is a noticeable(slightly)difference between the 2, I certainly don't see a deal breaker going on here. Either way it's a good looking guitar, and I would imagine that if the 2 were side by side, without it being posted which was which, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference or tell what was what.

Just my 2 cents, but it's good to know the difference just for curiositys sake.

I actually noticed that there were some weird differences between pre- and post-CNC Ricks some time ago, particularly when it comes to position and shape of the soundhole. It's especially apparent on the 381 model:
1969
1987
2008?

Some more '69s:
Anyone know why the knobs on a 381 are always put on crooked?

This 360's quite a bit different, too:

Bringing this thread out of the mothballs because I finally found the 360 I was looking for:
Now THAT's a funky-lookin Rick!

Here's a CNC 360 for comparison's sake:

Dan, not intending to incense, but I like the shape of the CNC body better. The horn shapes just look more pleasing to me. FWIW. Not sure where your preference lies, but since you hunted the free shaped one, I suspect there. Only my opinion.

What is neat about this is I've learned there is a big difference in body shaping through the years on the guitars.

Wow! That's quite a difference.

johnallg wrote:Dan, not intending to incense, but I like the shape of the CNC body better. The horn shapes just look more pleasing to me. FWIW. Not sure where your preference lies, but since you hunted the free shaped one, I suspect there. Only my opinion.

What is neat about this is I've learned there is a big difference in body shaping through the years on the guitars.

I was just trying to illustrate how much Rickenbackers have changed over the years. On the first page I mentioned the silver 360, and when I finally found the picture I remembered this thread.

My preference would be the CNC body as well - that silver one looks very strange in comparison.

The irony, of course, is that the horns of the ugly silver one are much closer to the horns of the originals than the CNC one. Personally, I don't like either.