Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

why then do many strive to buy a guitar to exact specifications, that someone else made famous?

Because if you take, for example, a Fender Strat, it was long a guitar that many aspired to own, but couldn't afford. IMHO, it wasn't because the Strat was a remarkably better design that offered something over other designs, but simply because it was "famous", and people aspired to own one like it.

For someone who isn't affected by fashion, an original design is the bee's knees - ans also shows creativity, in addition to technical building skill.

This looks very good.
I'd have used quilted maple if I were to go through all that trouble, but that's personal of course.

As far as originality, there isn't much you can improve to the shape of a ric imho.
Although I have some ideas..
Is it legal to build one like this?
I just might give it a try..