Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Clint wrote:My '87 620 is pretty beat up. Lots of deep dings and scratches all over it. But it's Jetglo, so from more than 5 feet away it still looks all shiny and new.

You are sure right about Jetglo Clint, it hides imperfections well. Kenny & I traded & I now have a '91 Jetglo 330 with some finish issues. This sucker plays & sounds great and has earned the name Battle Axe. Only problem now is my turquoise 330 is getting jealous! I may swap in the fiber top HiGains that were on my '88 WB & see how it likes 'em.

I love a story with a happy ending.

Dom wrote:You are sure right about Jetglo Clint, it hides imperfections well.

That's why TC loves JG.

jps wrote:

Dom wrote:You are sure right about Jetglo Clint, it hides imperfections well.

That's why TC loves JG.

TC? Did you mean MC? Mike Campbell?

sloop_john_b wrote:

jps wrote:

Dom wrote:You are sure right about Jetglo Clint, it hides imperfections well.

That's why TC loves JG.

TC? Did you mean MC? Mike Campbell?

Probably Tony.

I haven't exactly babied my 4003 or 650C. I wouldn't go as far as calling them "beaters " but it's a far cry from being "case queens". Resale value is of no importance to me because i don't plan on selling them.

fluffy wrote:I haven't exactly babied my 4003 or 650C. I wouldn't go as far as calling them "beaters " but it's a far cry from being "case queens". Resale value is of no importance to me because i don't plan on selling them.

I feel the same way about my Ricks and a few others and all the keepers get played. The binding on my WB has fended off many a slip with the slide, still, my WB is my first & favorite and has always commanded my respect so dings on it do tick me off. The other guitars I have had over the years are a different story. Their position is always tenuous since I can get rid of them to make room for more Ricks! I have already played the balls off this jetglo.

Although the relic movement to me is a complete hypocritical joke, there is certainly something to be said about a guitar, any guitar that has rightfully earned it's patina in the line of duty and no new guitar can compete with a comfortable worn in neck which still can't be faked. Since I had one as my first guitar I bought a Vantage Avenger last year that had electronics removed then stuck in a closet and not been played since it was new in 1982. It just doesn't feel as nice as my well worn & gone first guitar did back in '91 as that guitar had been first guitar for several different people by the time I got my stupid hands on it.

Speaking of hypocrisy, though I dislike the relic movement I'm considering doing a Rory Gallagher cover band and out of respect I just can't do that with a new looking guitar. I already have a worn in neck & strat body from a squire that I've had since '97 that was stripped before I got it with an oiled finish and I'd also be blocking the trem & such.

Dom wrote:Speaking of hypocrisy, though I dislike the relic movement I'm considering doing a Rory Gallagher cover band and out of respect I just can't do that with a new looking guitar. I already have a worn in neck & strat body from a squire that I've had since '97 that was stripped before I got it with an oiled finish and I'd also be blocking the trem & such.

there's a difference between relic'd and absolutely played to death like Rory's Strat

fluffy wrote: there's a difference between relic'd and absolutely played to death like Rory's Strat

Then there is just death...in a Rory documentary Johnny Marr talks about lighting his guitar on fire in shop class to look like Rory's strat! Most of my play hours are on my 370WB but since it is built to last it still shows little wear.

Dom wrote: Most of my play hours are on my 370WB but since it is built to last it still shows little wear.

You're bang on there. Some of these 370 WB beaters are well over the 40 year mark and still look box fresh....

Yeah, my turquoise 330 has dings galore on the front edge but the FG WB just fends them off or hides them well. I'm seriously considering a tortoise shell pickguard for the turquoise just like on my LPB strat. Worn in vintage LPB guitars seem to have a lot of mojo, saw tons of pictures of them looking for ideas when I was rebuilding my strat last year. Good thing too 'cause my turquoise 330 is a keeper so it has many more dings in its future. That one is the cleanest sounding guitar I have, but it also has a mean side. Like it was born angry, but it has manners.

My WB looks similar to that FG 12 since I put the toaster tops over the HB-1's. Curious about how the controls on that one work. Second switch for the mid pu?

Dom wrote: Curious about how the controls on that one work. Second switch for the mid pu?

Explained here (the last post is correct):

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=392691

This guitar has the "factory Byrd" wiring which was offered as an option in the late '60's (and possibly even through early '70's as there is an authenticated factory example from 1972 owned by a forumite). AFAIK all the other known original factory examples with this wiring are NS, so it's possible this OS example is a unique configuration. This factory '60's wiring is completely distinct from the various guitars with in-built compressors (either of the McGuinn DIY variety or the much later RM signature LE's)

This is how the pots are wired, and this is confirmed as a factory standard harness by ex-employees who worked at RIC when they were still making 'em:

k43rover wrote:This guitar has the "factory Byrd" wiring which was offered as an option in the late '60's (and possibly even through early '70's as there is an authenticated factory example from 1972 owned by a forumite).

My 370/12 was made in '81 and came with Byrd wiring.

kennyhowes wrote:

k43rover wrote:This guitar has the "factory Byrd" wiring which was offered as an option in the late '60's (and possibly even through early '70's as there is an authenticated factory example from 1972 owned by a forumite).

My 370/12 was made in '81 and came with Byrd wiring.

That's a turn up for the books! No sign of your guitar in the register - the newest one in there is the '72 I mentioned earlier. Are you sure the wiring was factory installed or could it be a retrofit? As it's an '81, presumably it's a 24 fret or did they have a left over 21 fret body for it too? If it's all original and 24 fret then that could be a unique config!