Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The title is an allusion to my previous "Take the reds, man" thread. In that thread were these posts:

johnallg wrote:

doctorwho wrote:Of these, the Fireglos will be the most interesting, as they span quite a range in time (1966-2002).

Very nice Gary. If you do take the FGs, arrange them in chronological order. Would be very interesting.

and my reply:

doctorwho wrote:

johnallg wrote:... If you do take the FGs, arrange them in chronological order. Would be very interesting.

Great idea, John! Thanks!

Well, I finally got the Fireglos out today for a group shot. I did not include the 1966 365 that I have because it had been oversprayed on the neck and headstock, so maybe the body had also gotten a bit of that which would make it non-original enough.

Anyway, here we go:
(sorry, you'll need to click on them to see them full-size)

These are in somewhat chronological order (I goofed up one pair) from left to right:

1960s
June 1966 Ryder 1000
October 1966 340
May 1967 RM3261 (4005 with f-hole)

1970s
June 1973 4001

1980s
[October 1997 4003s5 - out of order]
September 1987 1997PT
August 1989 370/12RM

1990s
January 1992 660/12TP
December 1993 370/12v64
[August 1987 4001v63 - out of order]
May 1999 620 'SPC'

2000s
May 2002 620

Here are some close-ups (starting on the left, same order as given above):
More close-ups in the next post ...

The other close-ups:
These show quite a bit of variation in the finishes which is not strictly due to aging.

[sorry for the two out of order - I was fighting the motion of the sun to keep the left side from being engulfed by shadow and had to hurry things along ... ]

Is there a problem with your June 1973 4001? (In the voice of Lando Calrissian)

They seem to be fairly consistent, but those two on the end have a much whiter color to the burst while the others are amber/yellow, it's very striking. The edges of the burst are also really defined when alot of the others have more fading going on.

Gary, thanks for your efforts in putting this together. You've got neat-o collection of Fireglos spanning the decades, and nicely displayed!

Having done some of this myself, I can appreciate the work that goes into these "large group" guitar/bass portraits; however, your "front and back" approach adds an extra degree of difficulty and insight. Plus moving things around so they are lined up correctly, trying to avoid sun glare and shadows, etc. can all make for an interesting afternoon. You may need to take a day off to recuperate!

Can the next mini jam just be a pool party instead, weather permitting?

Very impressive Gary! Thanks for sharing the pics...

The darkest ones remind me of the most recent Fireglos. Thanks for taking the time to line this up. Reminds me of a Pink Floyd poster I saw at a head shop...

RM3261 FTW!

MMMMmmmmmmm! Yummy!

I never realised how huge those 4005 basses are. That thing is a beast.

Wow! Way cool--and that 3-pickup 620 is the coolest!

paologregorio wrote:Can the next mini jam just be a pool party instead, weather permitting?

I'm with Paulie on this one

One word that would have struck terror in Gary's soul:

"CANNONBALL!!!"

Pretty maids all in a row !
Fantastic !