Bringing back 360 WBs

[collin]

Older WB's are hardly expensive on the used market, either (compared to vintage reissues).

RIC "reissuing" a guitar that only ended production a decade ago would seem far lower on the list of "should-do's" etc. There's far more than has never been reissued at all, many of which are less labor intensive than a WB, and would sell for more!

[stringman]

Well collin I say again is it strictly about money? Ask yourself does Rick still make the 381 V 69 double bound the answer is yes. Does Rick still make the 360 C 63 double bound the answer is yes. There will always be a backlog with Ricks because the demand always outways the supply. Just ask some of the forum members how long they're waiting for their 360 12 C 63s. So the purpose of this post is just to see the possibility of production seeing that all the parts are still being produced on the current model 330s. Ron

[collin]

Ron, the "parts" are the same on nearly all Rickenbacker guitars, that's sort of a dead point.

I think it's hard to comment on what the factory could or couldn't do without actually working there.

Based on speculation about production, I would wish they bring back models with an F-hole.....that involves even less changes (simply swap a template for the sound hole in the CNC machine....but ya know what-----that's just not what the company wants to do, and I can live with it.

[customxke]

I think a question that might get you a better answer is: Why'd they stop? I'm fairly certain it was a sound business decision.

[paologregorio]

Well, Mr. Hall's already answered that question: "In a word, cost".

There are probably a lot of folks who'd like to have a WB, but a lot of these same people might not be able to afford one at the current market price, especially in this economy, and espcially if it's around the price of a 360/12 C63 or a 381, or more.

People love double bound models, but they split on whether they want a 21 fret or 24 fret model, and then whether or not they prefer the sound hole bound or unbound. I used to prefer 24 frets, but I don't really care either way anymore, so long as the guitar's double bound; the extra three frets are extra fun to play on once in a blue moon when I think fast enough to throw in a note on them live or in the studio, but when I play my 381, I don't miss the extra three frets.

I mention the issues of price and design because they go hand in hand were RIC to arrive at the point where a double bound 360 model was being considered for reintroduction, which double bound six string would RIC build? Would it be a 24 fret model, or a VRI of the 360 OS? I like both models, but not everyone does, and the choice of model to be introduced is going to determine the size of the market for the model.

The buyer's going to consider price, and the aforementioned labor involved is going to necessitate a VRI plus price range. Spending this much on a Rick makes the buyer consider whether or not a model in or exceeding the vintage reissue price range has the features one's looking for. Guys who like double bound models but favor 60s style 21 fret Ricks aren't going to buy a reissued WB with 24 frets, especially given the price the time and energy involved in producing such a model would require, and if RIC issues a 21 fret model, it would probably have to be a period correct design model, otherwise folks won't be able to justify the pric, as well as all of the folks who are sticklers for historical accurace wrt RI models. The RI 300 series models are X braced, which is a completely different internal construction method, and have an unbound soundhole, which some people, myself included, think makes the guitar look unfinished, but which other fans, Collin, for example, prefer. After that comes finish choice. If I'm going to spend the $$$ on a RI 360 OS, do I really want

For that reason, the next time I want a WB that doesn't exist, say with a sparkle finish, in butter yellow, or in sea green, I'll either buy a used 330 or neckless old 60s carcass, and give one of the forum luthiers a call to see when he can fit my guitar in his calendar for a conversion.

[electrofaro]

Oye, I don't even like the shape of 360 WBs... or 330s

Give me a special, limited colour 360!

I'm with the guys above though - either get one 2nd hand or have a 330 converted.