Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

BCGUY wrote:I'm not big on Sig models but I would buy one of these in a second.
Paul Weller's Whaam! 330 with one toaster and one humbucker.

Cheers,
Shawn

The best custom Ric ever!

I've considered buying a knackered old 330 and then get someone to customise it in the same way, but you can't even find a reasonably cheap beat up old Ric these days.

Mateybob wrote:

BCGUY wrote:I'm not big on Sig models but I would buy one of these in a second.
Paul Weller's Whaam! 330 with one toaster and one humbucker.

Cheers,
Shawn

The best custom Ric ever!

I've considered buying a knackered old 330 and then get someone to customise it in the same way, but you can't even find a reasonably cheap beat up old Ric these days.

Rob youve 2 have you not!

scotty wrote:

Mateybob wrote:

BCGUY wrote:I'm not big on Sig models but I would buy one of these in a second.
Paul Weller's Whaam! 330 with one toaster and one humbucker.

Cheers,
Shawn

The best custom Ric ever!

I've considered buying a knackered old 330 and then get someone to customise it in the same way, but you can't even find a reasonably cheap beat up old Ric these days.

Rob youve 2 have you not!

You're such a funny man.

scotty wrote:Shawn im a huge weller fan no surprises here on the forum but to tell you the truth mate that will never happen.Never, your better to go out and buy a 330 and get a custom paint job done! its just a 330 mate with WHAAM! painted on.Tell you what send me your 330 and i`ll give it a coat with some gloss!

Oh ya I hear you. I know it would never happen. I don't think Weller himself would let it happen if he had any say in it. Tell you what. Paint up yours, if it looks good I'll buy it off you.

Cheers,
Shawn

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Ric has..... what, a two year waiting list? I love the fact that every part, even the outsourced parts are "Made in the U.S.A.". Rickenbacker is a boutique outfit, not a corporate megalopolist. That's why we love 'em. I would hate to see cheap Rickenbackers coming from a country that virtually enslaves 12 year old orphans to crank out their ****** products. Besides, do we really want guitars made out of melamine?

I also love looking at the production figures for vintage Rics, where they would make, like, 7 of something a particular year. It is like they were making Ferrari's, not guitars.

But how about a "Chesterfield King's" celebrity model?

I'm sorry, did I post this on the wrong thread? I thought I was reading about cheaper, entry level, possibly Made in China guitars from RIC to appeal to a younger audience. Its early......I'm still asleep......must get coffee.........

jazzsmith wrote:"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Ric has..... what, a two year waiting list? I love the fact that every part, even the outsourced parts are "Made in the U.S.A.".

Actually the Schaller machineheads and strap buttons are made in Germany, and the CTS pots are not made in the US any more as far as I know - although I don't know whether they are made in Mexico, China or elsewhere... but they are significantly lower in quality than the ones from only a few years ago. I'm not sure where the Kluson-style machineheads are made - but really, does it matter? The US and Western Europe are not the only places capable of stamping and machining steel into not-very-high-precision tuning gears.

Rickenbacker is a boutique outfit, not a corporate megalopolist. That's why we love 'em. I would hate to see cheap Rickenbackers coming from a country that virtually enslaves 12 year old orphans to crank out their ****** products. Besides, do we really want guitars made out of melamine?

Rickenbacker is a mass producer, period. While they aren't in the production league of Fender or Gibson, they are very definitely not a small, 'boutique' builder (and the better for it IMO).

You also obviously haven't seen too many far-eastern guitars if you think they're all made of melamine, or using child labor - try looking at things like a PRS SE series, a higher-range Epiphone, a Schecter, or many other brands (all Korean), a Japanese Fender, or a Taiwanese Yamaha. None of those countries employ child labor. And apart from deliberate decisions regarding certain materials and parts - many of which may be intentionally to separate them from the 'main brand' US instruments - most of these guitars are as well-made as anything from the West. Yes, I totally agree that they often don't quite feel as nice or sound as nice, or have as much 'character', but they are far from '******' by any definition.

I also love looking at the production figures for vintage Rics, where they would make, like, 7 of something a particular year. It is like they were making Ferrari's, not guitars.

You can't build a successful international business on numbers like those, and nor could Ferrari... they are now owned by FIAT.

I think the Hall's have made it pretty clear they have no intention of ever producing offshore, so to me that leaves something like a Gibson Melody Maker. Take the standard solidbody shape, one toaster, and finish it in a satin solid color. I don't think they can price it as low as a Melody Maker, but somewhere around the $500 mark seems reasonable. Not that they don't already sell every one they make, but this could open the market to the beginning player.

Just my $.02

The market available to the beginning player has already become quite diluted with all the brands there already and with more which continue to enter the market.

Just my two cents worth.

rickenbrother wrote:The market available to the beginning player has already become quite diluted with all the brands there already and with more which continue to enter the market.

Just my two cents worth.

OK, how about "the discerning beginning player and their parent who always wanted a Rick but never could afford one".

It's amazing what you can afford if you're willing to work your butt off and save up for it...

cjj wrote:It's amazing what you can afford if you're willing to work your butt off and save up for it...

Exactly.

cjj wrote:It's amazing what you can afford if you're willing to work your butt off and save up for it...

Or max your credit cards!