Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It's probably been covered before, but any thoughts on whether the C series will be the ultimate clone of these great instruments or will there be a D series in a couple of years time? I bought a B series then a 360/12V64 and I thought they were good. Just how more exact can they be?

Surely they've nailed it this time.

And is the C63 basically saying "sorry guys, we got the V64 wrong"?. Don't want to rub anyone up the wrong way, but it seems like that to me...

Robert: I think that whenever a series is introduced, compromises are made based on the cost to the company to produce the product, the availability of parts and so on.

To my way of thinking, the B and V series are fine instruments, however, in producing the C series more attention was paid to details that may not have been practical to implement earlier on.

To me, there is nothing wrong with the previous series, however, it is always possible to produce a better product. I give RIC full marks for making the C series available.

I think that the earlier B and V series will continue to be collectable instruments over the course of time.

Ah you've put my mind at ease Peter

I should probably add that my v64 is easily my favourite guitar

Gorgeous photo Red Rob. Just looking at this beautifully figured top makes it abundantly clear that the V64 is a work of art and will always be sought after.

She shimmers Peter, she shimmers. It's just so easy to play too.

I'm looking forward to getting a C series 12 string to compare.

Great looking guitar Red Rob! very nice character on the top. I think that going from the B series to the C series through the V Ric was listening to players like us that wanted the real thing (almost) to the last detail. For example, how could a reissue of the 4001 not have a horseshoe? Then the V series 4001 had a horseshoe and the C64 has a more refined one (what about magnetic horseshoes?...)
Have not yet played a 360C63 but from looks it is perfect. As owner of a C64, V64/12, 381V69/12 and a couple of V63's I can safely say that they all are fine instruments. There is a lot of attention put into recreating older models and each series brings it forward a step. As I see it even when we think "that's it" Ric listens to us and brings out a "more accurate" instrument. So there are more letters after B, C and V for Ric to use (:

Actually, the progression of the instruments relates more directly to the marketplace, the actual customers, than anything. In 1984 no customer cared particularly about reissue authenticity nor was there much knowledge or a means to share it as there is today. As the demand for more authentic vintage reissues developed, we responded. It's as simple as that.

I might add that at this point we've almost come full circle- there's so much misinformation being rapidly distributed that I think the future of authentic reissues is not too good. No manufacturer will be willing to take the risk or put up with the aggravation.

There you go fellas - obsessive weirdos like us ARE listened to!

Cheers John

John, I sincerely hope that this Forum is considered a place where debunking of misinformation is a regular occurrence. I feel your frustration in your last paragraph, but at the same time, I think that history--especially the history of significant smaller companies like Rickenbacker who have had such a huge impact upon Western culture--is very important to preserve in an accurate light.

Sounds to me like "obsessive weirdos" are gonna ruin everything.

Hmmm. I'm not sure I agree with that.

Mainly because the term "obsessive weirdos" is so subjective.

In order to achieve historical accuracy, an obsession with detail is a given, and there's nothing weird about that.

To me, an "obsessive weirdo" is somebody who waxes his Rickenbacker, over and over, over and over, over and over...

...or writes about it constantly.

Hmm. John's second paragraph wasn't there when I posted (strangely), which kind of throws a different light on it. I apologise if my comments annoyed anyone, but I think it was a misunderstanding worth clearing up.

I feel compelled to go home and engage in some self-flaggelation now.

Only obsessive weirdos self-flagellate.