Gosh gosh dang, I love my new Ric!!!!!

riffmeister · Post by **riffmeister** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 3:57 pm

I've had this new to me 2000 360/V64/12 for two weeks now, and it's been in my hands practically every second of free time that I have! I used it at band rehearsal last week for several songs, I used it earlier today for some recording with my band, and I play it acoustically every chance I get. Sounds *absolutley fabulous* played thru Danelectro Danecho -> Fulltone Choralflange -> Fulltone Supa-Trem -> DR. Z 6545 -> greenback 2x12 cab. Some seriously great sounding classic tones from this guitar, no doubt! I love it!!!

P.S. Keeley compressor on order........

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 6:36 pm

Congrats, Peter! I know the feeling....I love my '99 360/12MG that was brought back from "the dead". Of all my guitars, this one is my favorite. And that compressor should make some very "Byrd"-like sounds...

riffmeister · Post by **riffmeister** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 6:52 pm

The guitar is now being given an Arnquist set-up. With improved playability, the guitar will be absolutely *killer*!!!

wileyibex · Post by **wileyibex** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:44 pm

A WHAT?!?

Two questions:
(1) Has he resurfaced?, and
(2) What assurance have you that you will ever see your guitar again in this lifetime?

I don't want to sound alarmist, but you may wish to read through the archives vis-a-vis the mercurial and elusive Mr A.

riffmeister · Post by **riffmeister** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:47 pm

Don't worry. Everything will be just fine.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Thu Nov 06, 2003 8:59 am

Let's hope...

Say, Peter, which side of your Z-amp do you prefer/use most? The 65 or the 45?

riffmeister · Post by **riffmeister** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 11:13 am

The Ric really sounds great thru either channel. But definitely more of a "classic" sound thru the KT45 channel. Clean with just a little crunch around the edges when the strings are hit hard. The KT45 channel has been described by others as Vox-meets-Hiwatt, and I'd agree that indeed there are elements of both types of those amp sounds on that channel. Being a hollow body guitar, there is a point at which there is some feedback thru the higher gain SRZ65 channel. Not that that is a bad thing!

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Sun Nov 16, 2003 7:30 pm

Well, what's the verdict? Did you get that "improved playability" you were after?

riffmeister · Post by **riffmeister** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:21 am

Sir Andrew,

I decided to leave the guitar there for another two weeks, during which time slightly taller frets, and frets which extend out to the edge of the binding, will be installed. And a nut with wider string spacing.

Stay tuned!

P.S. Communication, including pics as the work progressed, has been very good.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Mon Nov 17, 2003 6:45 pm

Uhhh, yeah... OK.

riffmeister · Post by **riffmeister** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:22 am

Modded Ric 360/12/V64 is now back.

The wider string spacing at the nut makes the guitar *much* more playable! Paying attention to left hand technique, I can now avoid muting adjacent strings when fretting at the first position, no problem!

The new frets and new fretboard finish are very nice, too. Slightly narrower frets and lack of the lacquer finish makes the edges of the frets feel a bit more defined. And the narrower frets should help with intonation, too.

The new 12-saddle bridge, with it's custom shaped and slotted saddles, looks great and allows for more precise intonation (esp on the low E string pair).

The guitar also now has more sustain and is more resonant (I can feel the increased resonance in the parts of the guitar that contact my body), which I'm guessing is due to the new bridge, nut, and the heavier brass truss rod bar in the headstock.

The new bridge, nut, and re-shaped truss rod cover (previously, some of the strings rubbed up against the truss rod cover) make the guitar easier to tune -- any slight change in the tuner now results in a "linear" change in pitch.

I plugged into my Dr. Z 6545 this morning for about 15 min, and the guitar sounds freakin' awesome! Clarity, twang, sustain.......everything seems to have changed for the better!

Good Stuff!!