Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Any 381v69 owners out there? Just got mine from Pick of the Ricks and just love it!

I have a 1998 381/v69 and I also love it. In my opinion it is the most beautiful Ric guitar.

I have one in mapleglo and I love it.... The figured wood is drop-dead gorgeous, and the sound is nice and huge.... I have a link to a photo posted somewhere on another thread; I'll see if I can find it. And welcome to the forum, J.C. and Jim--it's nice to see some new people here. Also, congrats on your new purchase, J.C.!

The photo is under "Rickenbacker Guitars" on the thread titled "New Ric opinions, please?".... The people who posted had a lot of interesting things to say about 381's, and that was right at the time that I got mine.

Thanks for your kind words Melissa. I am really a Rick bass man but I've always wanted a 6 string so now that I have one I don't know what to do with it. I'm also a new Beatles fan so I will probably try some Fab Four with it. By the way, my 381 is Fireglo, really dark red compared to other fireglos. When I fiqure out how to post pics I will.

I've had a few 381s. They really are the "flagship" for Rickenbacker. I've got a '68 prototype, had an '93 12 string, '93 6 string and a couple of John Kays. The only problem that I noticed was the '93. It was heavy as could be. I guess that weight of Maple can vary. Nothing prettier though!

Would love to see a photo, J.C.... I am intrigued by all the different shades of Fireglo that are out there--I have four different Rics in Fireglo, and all of them are different shades: my '67 365 is very bright and vibrant, and my newer 360/12 is a very deep, rich color; my '81 330 is almost a burnt-orange to brownish color, and my Comstock is very bright around the edges with a lot of the natural wood tone showing in the middle.... I would like to take a photo of all of them grouped together at a future date, when I have spare time to get it all just right! 381's are definitely the prettiest Ric out there....

The weight is not really a problem for my because I'm used to the 4003 around my shoulders. The 381 feels lite in comparison. John, you said you had some JK's in the past, how do the active electronics and humbucking pickups sound in the 381 body?

My first Ric was a 381v69. I drove all the way from Toronto to Lansing, Michigan to get a Mapleglo 360, but when I got to the store, I couldn't stop gaping at the 381 that was hanging next to it. In the end, I ended up shelling out a lot more money for the 381. I still prefer the deeper body of the 381. I think this comes from playing a Guild Starfire II for the longest time. The shape of the 381 seems more, I dunno, reassuring, although it's not a particularly resonant instrument, which kind of surprised me. My 381 can be a little tempramental in the extremes of the Canadian climate, and I've often thought about switching out the toasters for humbuckers, but something in the back of my mind won't let me do it. It seems like a sacrilege. Of course, it may also be due to the fact that I've never, ever heard Ric humbuckers ...

Just out of interest, what were the "active electronics" in the JK edition?

My 381/12 FG acquired a few months ago (has Roger McGuinns sig on the inside of the sound hole).

Sorry about that folks - this should work better:

http://members.northerntrail.net/vicwhite/

Beautiful guitar Vic!

I'm a proud owner of a 381v69 JG - a great player, but also a showpiece.

Vic: What a terrific looking guitar? This fits right in with nature, to be sure. I love the fireglo shading.

Thanks John and Peter.

Peter, you have an awesome website here - inspired me to buy two new Rick 12's (so far!)