Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

There ya go, guys. Can't get any better recommendation than that!

Mr. Hall,

I've owned several dozen Rickenbacker guitars over the years ranging in vintage from '64 to '07. Some of these guitars react almost immediately with my stands (notably those built in the late 1980's and early 1990's), while others do not. My stands are all over 15 years old. I purchased a reissue '06 model 1996 AFG new from North Coast Music. This guitar has had more finish issues than any other. I thought the finish seemed softer than other Ricks, but I assumed it was because the guitar was brand new. After it sat on the case a few months, I got it out to show it off. Imagine my horror at finding that the lining of the silver case had actually etched its pattern into the finish on the back of the guitar. I also noticed several tiny finish chips around vintage tuners on the back of the headstock. This guitar has always been stored inside my house, in its case, inside an interior closet. I guess I'll plan to get it professional buffed out someday, but I'm wondering if you've ever heard of this problem before?

Thank-you

Randy -

You purchased the guitar new from an authorized Rickenbacker dealer. If it is less than a year old, the finish is under warranty. You should contact RIC Customer Service. This would be much better than trying to resolve it in this forum.

I use Hercules stands almost exclusively, though I do have one of those Ric vintage case deals I keep a couple of my Rics on. Though I've never had an issue with the Hercules stands, just for good measure I throw a guitar dust cloth (not the treated Ric ones) over the neck clamps. BTW, that neck clamp and the solid base is a lot more comfort to me than any concern I might have over minor finish issues.

But thanks to JH, now I've got to figure out a way to explain to my wife how I know what "Whore house plush" is and why I should have it for my guitars!!!

randyz wrote: Imagine my horror at finding that the lining of the silver case had actually etched its pattern into the finish on the back of the guitar.

I had the same issue with my '07 330 with the molded case... Scratch X and Zymol took care of that.

In regards to stands; On Stage Stands and Fretrest (made by the same company, I believe) have never damaged the finish on any of my guitars... They're cheap too!

I've found two models of stands that I'm pretty happy with:

First, this Hercules model:



It has a little bumper that the hanging guitar leans against, as opposed to padding on the legs; this is not such a big deal with Ricks, which tend to be reasonably shaped, but I've had some less-traditional designs and this is a great stand for them (Explorers, BC Rich exotica, Flying Vs, Reverse Flying Vs...). With this design there is also no need to worry about stand legs interfering with jacks, knobs or strap buttons.

I also have picked up a few of these Pro-Line folding stands:



They seem a bit sturdier than the Fender folding stands, and they fold down very compactly and can fit inside some cases and gig bags. They seem to catch stray cables and straps, but that's not too bad a trade-off for the portability.

So far neither has had any adverse effects on the finish of any of my guitars, Rickenbacker or otherwise.

chuck_king wrote:I also have picked up a few of these Pro-Line folding stands:

Yes...these are nice compact stands. I recently picked up 8 of them.....

While we're talking guitar stands, i was really impressed with those 3-in-1 stands that you brought to the last jam, Aitch. Where did you get them, and how much???