Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have two questions about the c64...
1 - does it come with a glossy finished fret board or a satin fret board like the 325c58?
2 - Are there side fret markers on the neck?
I couldn't believe how hard these basses are to find.. I don't think anyone in the U.S. has them in stock and I'm pretty sure I got the last mapleglo that musicians friend had in stock. I get the feeling that Rickenbacker doesn't mass produce guitars .. it's almost like they are a custom shop.

Hi Craig welcome to the Rickenbacker Forum.

To answer your questions:

1) Only the 4001 C64S has the satin finished neck and body.

2) Yes both the C64 and the C64S 4001 models have side position dots.

Rickenbacker only has one model in production at a time and the C series basses turn hasn't come up yet. So no they do not really mass produce them and Yes they are quite like a custom shop product and still handmade 100% in the U.S.A.

Post pictures of your MapleGlo if you have them; the forumites love pictures of new basses.

Thanks Steve,
I was hoping that it came with side position dots and a finished fret board.. I have two hofner basses a 62 reissue and a cavern.. both do not come with side markers.. I tried to get used to playing without them but I guess I'm just too lazy and had them put on the 62.. I left the cavern stock.. Can't wait to get the Ric.. I'll post pictures of it when it arrives on Tuesday fresh out of the box.

Thanks again,

Craig

I guess that means that I'll be waiting for my C64FG for a little while more.

I didn't know they only made one model at a time, I guess I can expect my Blueboy 4003FL sometime in 2010, haha!

I probably shouldn't expect mine until the end of the year. But it will make a nice self-bought Christmas gift for me if it arrives by that time.

I can't say I was surprised when I read that they only concentrate on a model at a time as it is certainly an efficient way to utilize time and equipment. IIRC I gleaned that tidbit from a post somewhere here at the Forum after someone visited the factory.

I can imagine that makes each model run somewhat unique too.

Our production schedule generally calls for one major model family each week in order to optimize production. A model family means similar body style, neck, etc., as an example 330's, 340's, and their 12 string equivalents. However, we also usually run one other less popular model group alongside in such a manner that we can keep the variety of machines and work skills properly loaded.

Mass production is relative, I suppose. We make a small fraction of what Fender produces, and about 10% of what Gibson (not Epihone) produces from what I was told recently. On the other hand, we make as many instruments by first break each day as many shops make in a month.

If the musical instrument industry were scaled to the size of the auto industry, we'd be equivalent to Porsche in terms of output, even level of quality perhaps.

Would "less popular" model group include 331L's or 4005s, or something more like 4080's? I am still waiting for my lightshow!

I like your thinking!