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Would AAA flame/quilt tops on RICS be desirable?
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:45 am
by mojo_jojo
If they offered rated tops (like PRS), do you think RIC buyers would pay extra for this cosmetic amenity? For instance, would you pay another $400 or $500 for an outrageously flamed 360?
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:59 am
by jingle_jangle
It's sort of an accepted thing with Ricks that the best-figured guitars are finished in natural Mapleglo.
Some of these are quite spectacular, too. I've seen some 381V69s in MG that rival the vest-grained guitars anyone's ever seen.
Your scenario, however, would amount to a special order, and would create repercussions at the factory which I'm sure would negatively impact production to an extent exceeding the couple of hundred dollars per unit that RIC could hope to gross on such an offering.
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:14 pm
by wj350
Aside from the practical realities Paul W cites, for me, personally, no I wouldn't want Ric to go that route. I do appreciate the beauty of those woods and finishes--I have a G&L Legacy in a honeyburst finish with a flamed top. But Rics are, IMO, beautiful in their simplicity--the fine grains running through the burst finishes, and the stark "plainess" of a Jetglo.
Just me.
Bill
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:04 pm
by jwilli
Send me all of your castaway flame/quilt and birdseye RICs, willya?
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:48 pm
by krick
Like these?
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:12 pm
by wj350
Yikes...those are gorgeous....
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:33 pm
by jwilli
Yes, those castaways.
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:54 pm
by melibreits
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:55 pm
by beatlefreak
Beautiful guitars, Kevin.
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:17 pm
by leftybass
Like Kevin has said thru pictures as examples, the CW 6 and 12-strings had to have had selected maple, for they are simply fabulous, and still a shaded finish to boot. The one I had sported a very flamed-bookmatched back, but the top was rather tame. Some of the 381s are spectacular as Melissa relates to, and there are some 660 solid-bodies around that have beautiful wood as well.
What you don't see too much of are Rickenbackers from the 60s and 70s with flamed wood like the ones above. They do exist, but they're uncommon IMHO.
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:20 pm
by jwilli
Might as well include this:
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:24 pm
by jwilli
And this '95 381....
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:25 pm
by wj350
You guys and gals have some beautiful instruments there... I have to be honest, I've never seen Rics with those tops.
Bill
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:33 pm
by krick
Speaking of 381 models:
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:35 pm
by leftybass
JWilli, that '95 381 looks like it's made of gold. What a guitar.
