Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone have a source on 331LS production totals?

Definitely not many. As few as 25 maybe, I doubt more than a 100.

That's really sad, and it explains why they are so expensive and have become a collector's item.

In my opinion this is a guitar meant to be played on stage, preferably for psychedelic music. It's probably not that great for playing at home, as you probably can't see all the lights that well when you hold the guitar if you stand up, perhaps in a mirror if you can stand seeing yourself for extended periods of time in the mirror, but I still think it's a stage guitar. Of course it is not a studio guitar (man, I need those lights, it sounds so much better), although some strange musicians might want the atmosphere (I can kind of imagine the Cure doing something like that). Anyways, it's become more like that Spinal Tap guitar (don't play it, don't even touch it!). I have yet to see a video on YouTube of someone actually playing one, it seems too expensive for most musicians now.

No, I would not want one, not even if they would cost $700, but I think they are interesting.

I guess if someone really wanted something like that they could chop up some cheap Gibson 335 copy and get someone to make the circuits, and then put some plexiglass on the top.

Actaully, several Forum members are working on LS conversions as this is being written. I understand that Dale Fortune is converting a couple of Rick 330s into "thinline" LSs, and others are chopping away at other RICs to make their own interpretations. (Names withheld for confidentiality.)

I'd be doing the same thing if I could find a beat 330 for a decent price.

I heard somewhere that the original LSs tended to heat up. True?

Nowadays what with the development of LED technology, I'd think a Light Show would be quite feasible.

JimK

I played full sets with mine (when I had them). Thing is to use the lights for emphesis, and turn them down or off for the rest
of the song. Never got warm to me....

I thought there was film of Kenny playing one somewhere.....

We have three of these rarities on the Register.

Lightshows

rickenmetal wrote:.....although some strange musicians might want the atmosphere........

Isn't using strange and musicians in the same sentence a bit redundant???

headbanger wrote:Definitely not many. As few as 25 maybe, I doubt more than a 100.

I can't say for certain, but I think it's more than that.

wints wrote:I thought there was film of Kenny playing one somewhere.....

There's some of me playing one on YouTube somewhere, from the Malone's Hautewerk gig.

wints wrote:I thought there was film of Kenny playing one somewhere.....

I think this was at RIC 75; check those threads.

It's definitely from the Malone's gig this last August.

Yeah, that's right...the film of him at RIC 75 is in my own camera. Duh.

You know, if they made a limited edition of 1,000 they would sell every single one in a heartbeat.

But since they're selling every single one of the regular models, I guess we'll never see another Lightshow!