Page 6 of 7
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:57 pm
by glen_l
I couldn't fathom why they would make a new 1996 reissue with the 1 oclock soundhole to send to a Japanese tradeshow because
a) It's well known that John lennon's 1996 was a 2 o'clock model, and the whole idea is to have every detail correct.
b) The Japanese market is known for being very discerning with details like this.
Regarding the internal bracing. I believe there is some misunderstanding regarding crossbracing. All 3 series hollow models have it, whatever old or new. The conventional production bracing (since the mid 80's) is integrally routed, and it's part of the same piece of timber as the body. Due to nature of the routing, the grain in the integral brace cannot be oriented lengthwise.
Previous to that, and now in the C series models, they fitted a seperate piece of bracing timber, with lengthwise grain.
All due respect to Atsushi (who is a good friend) unless the control panel was removed and the bracing examined closely, you wouldn't be able to tell which type it is. Reaching inside the soundhole and feeling a brace in there is not going to tell you what type it is.
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:14 pm
by wj350
Randy,
When I emailed Gary a week or so back he indicated he had 3 orders ahead of me--he got my check almost exactly a week after the email, so I'm guessing the line is somewhere between 4-6 now. He indicated he had 18 on order, but I have no idea what that means in terms of Ric deliveries. He seemed to be thinking these might not take too awful long because there's not a dramatic amount of tooling change between it and the c64--I'm obviously not an expert, but I think the only differences are neck wood and the F hole in the top.
Bill
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:35 pm
by simer4001
I ordered mine months ago from Gary. He did in fact say that he had 18 on order. I have no idea where I am on the list. You can't go wrong with Gary. He has treated me extremely well.
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:40 pm
by krick
Mike Parks ordered several 1996 AFG models just before the NAMM show in January. I know he has received at least two of them. I believe these were the same ones mentioned previously by Ben Hall as they both have October 2005 serial numbers. I am sure that one was the guitar displayed at NAMM.
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:47 am
by randyz
Guys: Thanks for the info. I'll be sending in my deposit soon!
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:46 am
by simer4001
Mike @ RIC's R Us advised me that Dave's Guitars had received 4 of 1996 models. They are on his webpage, but sadly they are pre-sold. However, it appears they are shipping.
http://www.davesguitar.com/products.html?13256
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:27 pm
by mike_smith
Sorry I didn't see them sooner Brian, I was browsing the web looking for some used pieces and was surprised to see them, then I remembered from our previous conversations you where hoping to get a 1996. Hope your wait isn't too long.
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:05 pm
by mike_d
OMG. You mean some of the 1996s have already been shipped? I ordered one months ago from Jim Rhoads. I checked the Ric website but there's no info about any going to dealers yet. Can't wait to get my hands on one of these babies.
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:04 pm
by krick
Yes Mike d, If you look back through the other pages of this thread, you will see the 1996 AFG that I received on 3/24/06. Mike Parks was shipped at least two last month and one of them was the guitar displayed at NAMM in January.
I have been wondering why these models aren't showing up in the "Recently Shipped" section of the RIC site.
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:31 pm
by mike_d
Kevin, that's a beautiful guitar. I haven't visited the forums for a couple of weeks so I missed out on the news. Great pics!
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:17 pm
by simer4001
No worries Mike. I do have one on order at NCM so I'm hoping that the wait will not be much longer. However, I am prepared if it is.
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:33 pm
by wj350
Kevin, they're showing up now...
Actually makes me a little nervous--I told my wife this one wouldn't be here until late this year or early next ....yikes!

Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:23 am
by leftybass
Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:52 am
by beefandbones
That's a beaut, too! The pattern on the back is amazing! I can't wait for mine to arrive...
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:14 am
by johnjaypl
Is the diagonal brace inside a 325 body made of the same material as the body, that is, a maple body would have a maple brace and an alder body would have a alder brace or is the brace made of spruce or some other material?