Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

According to a post by Mr Hall on the Rickenbacker forum as of July 2005 the formulation for the Fireglo finish has been changed a bit:

"Our clear coats have changed over the years many times to keep up with the changes in environmental laws. The Fireglo dye has not changed all this time, at least until this July when we were forced to cut the solvent content in half under new regulations.

As it happens, the clear coat conversion varnish also had to change then too and the new formula has a bit of a yellow cast to it. We've used this to advantage and now the Fireglo looks like the old one with a few years of sun on it, except it won't age much now. It's very subtle but stunning nonetheless"

Has anyone seen a Rick with the new Fireglo finish yet?

I believe this one has the new Fireglo finish.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7355209658&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Wow!Thanks Kevin.That looks really nice.

Let's not discount the natural ambering of the maple after years of exposure to UV and environmental factors. The yellowish cast will no doubt increase.

If Rickenbacker had to cut the solvent content of their dyes, then in order to get proper shading, the formula must have had something added to cut the dye intensity, I'm thinking. That would most likely be more binder or transparent additive.

Perhaps John could comment on this. (Or perhaps not?)

I thought they already used water-based lacquers?

I thought my Feb 2005 360 was a bit too pinky. I want another Fireglow Ric, but not the color of my 2005. What years should I avoid if I want that classic Ric Fireglow color? My 1995 330 was darker.

More specifically, what years are darker and still in the $1000 used price range ?

Not water-based to my knowledge, solvent-based, which puts RIC under tight controls of VOCs. Hence the reduction in solvent content.

Gerry, any '90's FG will be a great, deep fireglo. The '90's are my favourite period of FG...a really nice dark, lush colour. They get a little lighter towards the end generaly, but I've seen '99 FG's that are still really good.

Is it fair to say that different fireglos have been used on different models? My V64 has a fireglo which is very dark around the edges compared with the contemporary 330s I've seen. Also, I'm thinking maybe that C63 is adorned with a special vintage type of redder fireglo that will not necessarily be used on all humble 330s from now on. I could be wrong and probably am.

That's a loaded question, and I hope John Hall will get a few words in here to correct and clarify, if necessary.

It's my belief that, with the exception of variances from era-to-era, caused by changes in the FG dye formulation due to switching suppliers or VOC compliance, and differences in the technique of painters, FG dyes will be the same on all guitars for a given period of manufacture.

The C63 is most probably sprayed with the same dye used on other FG Rickenbacker instruments, but special attention is paid to keeping it looking like a mid-'60s instrument by copying the spraying pattern and number of coats applied. More coats (up to a point)=redder FG. More coats beyond that point=muddier, deeper FG. Few coats (old FG)=pink tinge in transitional areas and center of burst.

For fireglo, I prefer the hue on my 330 which was manufactured in 1/05.

There was a 4001C64 and a modern 330 at my local dealer earlier this year. The C64 was much darker than the 330. My friends late '90s 4001V63 is dark like the C64 also. I agree with Paul as far as trying to make the reissues color correct for the time period.

My 2004.

Tony's gonna have a cow...

There is my blanket again!

Same blanket but this guitar was made in 1993.