Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone here have both? If so, please compare the two regarding sound and playability.

Andy, my mapleglo 5Cii has a finished fingerboard, the trans red has an unfinished fingerboard. It is hard to say how much difference it makes in the sound since the p/up positions are different for each. The trans red p/u's are closer to the neck giving a thicker sound than the mapleglo. To some degree I'm sure the unfinished fingerboard makes the sound warmer.
The feel is warmer, I like it. It's a change from all my other Rick basses. Some bassists don't like the finished board , they say it slows them down because their fingers stick to the finish. The finished fingerboard never slowed my playing.
I don't think there are too many guys here that don't like the finished fingerboard, but I'm sure most would also like the unfinished board.

Mine came unfinished, but took on a dried out look that I did not like, so I applied some tung oil that really brought out some nice grain. I think that the finished ones from RIC would be slightly brighter sounding.

My 4* TR Cii has a finished board.

Never found my fingers sticking really, either.