Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am of the opinion that the finish on Rickenbacker guitars is the best out there. In spite of all the great colours that RIC offers I am interested in exploring why the Fireglo finish is the most popular. There may be as many reasons as there are shades of this colour. I have narrowed it done to two.

First, the Fireglo finish harkens back to the British Invasion and has the classic look. You just have to envision George Harrison or Pete Townshend when you see this color.

Second, the shading is so different from one instrument to the next such that each instrument while preserving "the look" is unique in its own right. The shading varies depending on many factors, not the least of which is the creativity of the craftsperson in the spray booth.

Peter, your first point is IMO quite valid--the image of George Harrison and his first 360/12 is so recognizable it's hard to separate the two. I might mention Tom Petty on the cover of 'Damn The Torpedos' as another example. What is neat is that these two instruments were made back to back!!! Who could figure that so much music history would be made in just ONE DAY of production at Rickenbacker. Wow.

I can remember the first new 4001 I saw in the window of a music store--it was Fireglo, but so lightly shaded it was more like 'Pinkglo'.....

Fireglo has color - yet you can still see wood grain within. And as said previously, each individual guitar has a unique "DNA"...

Sunburst is a satisfying look on so many guitars - but Fireglo is one of the few where, instead of being bordered in black or dark brown, it's a rich, glorious, complex red.

I agree with Peter that Rick finishes are the best I've ever seen. Every time I look at our 360/12V64, I still think it's the most beautiful guitar I've ever laid eyes on!

I had a 1988 360/12WB in what was to be fireglo. It was more like an orange burst, there was little to no red in it. I wish I kept it. When I sold it, the guy wanted to know what color it was, I told him fireglo. He was a bit confused.

I had a 1988 360/12WB in what was to be fireglo. It was more like an orange burst, there was little to no red in it. I wish I kept it. When I sold it, the guy wanted to know what color it was, I told him fireglo. He was a bit confused.

I have to agree with Gene's comment that each fireglo is unique. I know that my CW is certainly different from any other Fireglo RIC that I've seen.

As a Mapleglo and Jetglo fan, I'll throw in my two cents on Fireglo. I love the look of certain FG Rics, but I think that what keeps me from ordering one in this prefered colour is the fear that I might a certain FG look that I just don't find appealing. I like the certain element of surprise and discovery that comes with trying a new set of strings, but I'm not willing to take that risk with the finish of my guitar.

If I ever do get a FG, it will be only after I've seen it and looked it over in a store or from one of the reputable online dealers we've discussed here before.

I must follow Corey in this. I've seen some FG with more red that were very apealing but I was not attracted at all to those with the orange tint( I'm a jetglo fan myself !!!) But for the ¨uniqueness¨ of the guitars, that's something that will never be arguable!