Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've kinda ignored the model 381, because they only come into play at the late 60s, and I much prefer toasters to other versions. But I know there are some early ones with toasters. What's the deal with 381s? I understand the obvious part, german carve etc. Do they sound significantly different from a 360? Feel difference? I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who's played them. I haven't ever put my hands on a reissue either.

apossibleworld wrote:I've kinda ignored the model 381, because they only come into play at the late 60s, and I much prefer toasters to other versions. But I know there are some early ones with toasters. What's the deal with 381s? I understand the obvious part, german carve etc. Do they sound significantly different from a 360? Feel difference? I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who's played them. I haven't ever put my hands on a reissue either.

That's 3, you still have 378 questions to go.

Oh! Good thing I didn't choose 625.

Or 4003...

Jeff's quite the wise guy...

Helps keep life sane.

jps wrote:Helps keep life sane.

+1!

Because Jeff takes everything literally, don't tell him to go jump in the lake ... he will!

cjj wrote:Or 4003...

Jeff's quite the wise guy...

or 5002

OK, before this gets out of hand, y'all should start answering my original question! Oh, I guess it's already out of hand

I don't have one but I can tell you that they are the top of the line flagship model for RIC. They use the most beautiful figured wood for the face and backs and the craftsmanship is beyond superb. They are unique in appearance and build but they function and play like the other deluxe models. Specs vary through the years, as with all the models, so what you get exactly depends on when it was made. They are simply gorgeous, the fanciest thing RIC makes.

apossibleworld wrote:What's the deal with 381s? I understand the obvious part, german carve etc. Do they sound significantly different from a 360? Feel difference? I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who's played them. I haven't ever put my hands on a reissue either.

The sound will be different as body shape/construction (internal air space volume, and thickness of the top/sides) affects tonality, along with the varying pickups that have been used over the history of the 381. Feel will be somewhat different as the body is larger front to back and is considerably heavier than a 360 (assuming an O.S. body for comparison, as the N.S. body style on a 360 is quite different).

The only 381 I have is a 381JK (John Kay Limited Edition), and it has (1) humbuckers, and (2) a tone circuit; therefore, I really can't comment on its sound as a 381. It does play nice, although it does have a "bigger guitar" feel (simply because it is).

apossibleworld wrote:OK, before this gets out of hand, y'all should start answering my original question! Oh, I guess it's already out of hand

You had an original question?

I bet there will be some difference in sound between various 360s and 381

Our own Paul Azepita is the one who can give you the rundown on a 381 V standard 360.

The 381 looks like a cool Jazz guitar, but I'm sure it's more than that.

I would say the difference in sound between the 381 and any other toaster-equipped hollowbody with the same bridge/tailpiece arrangement would be minimal at best. I don't know why a 381 would be more suited for jazz than a 330 with the same electronics. My two cents having owned, gigged, and recorded with them all.

My former 381 (made in 1987), although gorgeous in wood choice and construction, was a heavy, bulky instrument. I believe they have been pared down in recent years to be thinner and perhaps have thinner tops as well.

The only reference I have to go on is my buddy tommys guitar. He has a 381v 69 12 and when compared to my 360 12 v 64 played out of a fender deluxe, his has a much more bassy sound then the 360 12 v 64. Now aside from the body thickness which will give you more bass no matter what pickups you have in there providing they are stock toasters, it seems to me that you would have to tweek the amp to generate more treble to attain that ric sound which is what we did. But leaving the settings on the amp the same and testing both guitars 381v69 was much more bassy sounding. Beautiful figured wood was used on his.