Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

(crickets...)

There are two luthiers here on the forum that can do that for you, Jim. Just ask JB.

Hey,

Ok, the NEXT thread should be....how many would buy a V68!!

Ok, I'll take one! Put a HS on it, and I'd take TWO! Of course, price is a consideration....

I'd be in on a '68. Ain't gonna happen, but I'd love it, AND as a secondary effect, it might take the wind out of the prices of used guitars.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'd be all over a 4001V68!

Back to the 4005 custom shop.
Give me a 4005 and I'll get that 3D model and cnc program for ya! Plus we could build a mold for the tailpiece for a lot less than $40K.

Hey Kevin, you are so fortunate to have Family in the Business! I agree, I know several "skunk-works" shops in the DC-area that we used to do quick one-offs back in the Defense contracting days, and I could get a brass piece done in quantity, finished and triple-plated to thick chrome, for only a $5000 setup fee (this includes making the mold for full-temp brass-casting) and an estimated $20 per piece for a minimum of say 100 at a time. I know because I have done it before. Aluminum is only slightly higher, at $10,000 setup and $35 per piece. Apparently the molds run much hotter with aluminum, and the refractory materials are more expensive for the mold itself.

The CNC scan would cost maybe $1000 at a local facility, no need to buy the darn thing (a good one costs maybe $350K these days!) I have a good low-speed CNC mill suitable for that large a workpiece in wood, and can rent several more much higher production rate units.

All in all, I cannot see why setup for full production at maybe 20 units a week would cost any more than $50K for our area, and five to ten man weeks per week to run the machines and do the finishing and assembly. I could hire experienced luthiers, moonlighting at first, from PRS, to do it, loaded labor maybe $20K per week, materials maybe $500 to $700 per guitar tops, already have the workspace and most of the tooling. I know where to get a good coil winder too, although I would rather buy these from RIC under license

So except for an official license from RIC to do it (which would be necessary, kinda like Paul's license for acoustics) and assurances of tight production accounting and high quality output inspected by John Hall himself or his designees, what is the problem here? These are significantly lower costs than RIC is burdened with in their extremely expensive and environmentally-restricted area of the country (no offense to RIC of course, John!)

I say why not, instead of what for!
I even have several sources for instrument-quality woods Some sailing buddies who supply PRS!!

I'd be in on a RIC 4001V68, yup. Only with an HS of course.

Heck, i'd be in on a v68! Make mine Mapleglo.

Just so you bass guys are well prepared though, the inlays would be full-width but not crushed pearl. Us Rick guitar players are used to this by now - models such as the McGuinn and Carl Wilson should have had crushed pearl, but are instead poured full-width due to troubles with finding the right material.

Y'know, if it ever does happen.

"Us Rick guitar players"

So when did you switch, John? Not after the comments in the other thread?! C'mon, you KNOW the bass is your instrument.....

[ducks and runs]

Har! It's about 55-45 in favor of bass. I think that qualifies me as a Rick guitar player!

Before the NAMM, I presented John and Cindalee with a proposal to set up a custom shop in the factory where the Acoustic Dept. was. I offered my skills at taking orders and building the instruments of the 50's and 60's as they were built back then..This was declined by John for various reasons...but John did offer to let me take over the Acoustic Dept.

Well now, that would have been really something Dale! Too bad.

Yeah, My love for the Ricks would have put me back in the factory filling the demand and dreams of lots of players out there..Of course I would have left my Guitar Shop for several years to do this.. Imagine a 1958 360 Capri with Checkered Binding or a 4005WBBS and Checkered Binding.. Or maybe a new Custom Style 850...Maybe someday it just might happen, you never know what the future might bring....

Dale,

Now THAT would have been SO cool!

You OBVIOUSLY would have had PLENTY of work to do!

ANY chance of it in the future?

With all us boomers and the disposable income at our disposal, theat would have kept you really busy, Dale! Too cool of an idea... But like you say, you never know what the future will bring. I can't wait until the backlog is a lot more managable (read caught up). Who knows what John might have up his sleeve (other than an arm).

Can you imagine seeing Dale in the RIC Custom Shop working next to Paul in the Acoustic Dept.....