The Rarest Rick, Rickenbacker Banjo?

[jps]

Another really rare Rickenbacker:

S7000221 (Large).JPG

Rarer, actually.

[collin]

Each of these are the rarest Rick as there is only one of each extant.

eh...there are vintage one-offs too, with FAR more drastic changes than the paint color (Jwilli's paddle headstock '64 360S/12 Comes to mind).
Just sayin....

[fireglo67]

I would agree that features and design win over colour in the rarity debate.
Rickenbacker Banjo's are indeed rare, but that's cool 'cos I hate banjo's!
Now lets talk about desireable and rare....
Jazzbo anyone?

[jingle_jangle]

You said the magic word, Rob:

[YukonCor55]

Oh my God .....Paul, that thing is BEAUTIFUL!!

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks, Anthony...most of the old-timers here have seen it multiple times, but recent members might not have. Graham even used to have it in his avatar...

It was finished on New Years' Day of 2008, after 13 months' work. By the beginning of this year, the CV had shrunk into the grain, so last month it got a complete disassembly, wet-sanding, and re-buff, and the opportunity was taken to touch up a few small flaws and re-do part of the CV in the waist area, in advance of SCARF.

Now it's in its case, which is waiting for a handle from Ameritage, to replace the one that broke at SCARF. Usually it's in my guitar room, which is sealed from most dust, and the tone, which was quite stingy last year (archtops are traditionally lacking in bottom end, by design), is opening up pretty dramatically at the wood gets accustomed to its new configuration.

[YukonCor55]

When I was younger I was lucky enough to apprentice for a Master Gunsmith in New England. Not a very pleasant man but he sure did teach me a lot...Anyway, he had this phenomenal ability to turn wood and metal into singular works of art, but more so, into mechanical devices that functioned at the highest level. He produced breathtakingly beautiful custom rifles that fit their owners perfectly and could "drive a tack" at 200 yards. I guess luthiers are cut from that same cloth. Many guitars look spectacular but have poor tone, many guitars have great tone but are not very attractive, then there's those few that have the whole package; stunning looks, incredible tone and the perfect fit; I do beleive yours is an example!

[FretlessOnly]

You said the magic word, Rob:

I do believe that my mouth is actually watering. Paul, you surpass yourself sometimes.

[shamustwin]

I was lucky enough to play Paul's Jazzbo at a NAMM. I was wondering, do any pics exist of other Jazzbos?

[8mileshigh]

There's just the other factory one as far as I am aware?

[ozover50]

Here's another one of the Jazzbo in the factory 'toy shop'.........

[fireglo67]

Here's another one of the Jazzbo in the factory 'toy shop'.........

IMG_0889_1.jpg

That's just crying out for a couple of toasters on it!

[jingle_jangle]

Mine is waiting for a proper jazz pickup--a mini humbucker in gold, pickguard-mounted, by Kent Armstrong.

I don't think two toasters are the way to go, tone-wise, on this type of guitar.

As far as I know, there are two factory-built Jazzbos, both still owned by RIC. I photographed the one Howard posted in the RIC museum back in '06, to help me in getting the details correct on mine.

[leftybass]

There were the two model 390s from the late 50's....JH still has those I think....The Jazzbo's Mommy and Daddy....

[jingle_jangle]

Yep...they're hanging in the museum, both built by Rossmeisl personally. One has single checkerboard purfling and one has a double row of checkerboard...