Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Any Ric 1997/330 owners out there? I have a 1997 (made in 1997) reissue that I absolutely adore. I love the slim, sleek and sublimely comfortable neck on this model that fits in my left hand like a glove. The 'hotter' toaster pickups sound terrific, especially the neck pickup which delivers all the right woody warmth and soft, jazzy vibes. The bridge pickup has all the raunch, compression, and soulfullness I could ever want from a Rickenbacker. I use this guitar for everything and it offers heaps of potential from just being a 'rhythm' guitar. It happens to be my most versatile guitar. Here is a pic with a few other semi-hollow friends.

Nice MG 1997 RI , Walter-congrats!

Not to mention gorgeous ES-335 you have there (What year--1970, 1969?)

No 1997s anymore, but I have a 1998 and 1993 ('64s), just great, cool guitars.

Thanks for the response. The ES-335 is dated from 1970. I used to have a really nice 1993 RI (the original owner bought it at Sam Ash in '86 or '87?) albeit, the neck developed a nasty twist to it that couldn't be repaired. I would love to own an original 1993/12...If I could find or even afford one. Last time I was at POTR, Chris hinted that a 1993 model might be reissued...

Yep.... got one here!

Very nice! I especially love the gold guards and oven knobs on your 330 on the left! is that Montezuma Brown?

lususnaturae wrote:Thanks for the response. The ES-335 is dated from 1970. I used to have a really nice 1993 RI (the original owner bought it at Sam Ash in '86 or '87?) albeit, the neck developed a nasty twist to it that couldn't be repaired. I would love to own an original 1993/12...If I could find or even afford one. Last time I was at POTR, Chris hinted that a 1993 model might be reissued...

Nice, it was a 1970 ES-335-- i'm red hot today!

Yeah, finding a 1993 is no joke, I got super lucky. Did you save the serial # from your old 1993 Reissue? It would be nice to know which guitar had a neck twist, and I'm sure it's still around out there.

AFAIK..there are no plans for a 1993 RI, and I highly doubt Chris knows more than any of us here on the RRF.

I'll try to dig up some pics of the 1993 for the serial number. I ended up recently shipping the guitar to a skilled luthier friend in Poland who is going to replace the neck. I got on the subject of a 1993 RI with Chris a few weeks back, (POTR is 10 minutes away from me) and in conversation, he was keen on seeing my 1993 as he was researching to draw up specs for a limited reissue that he was in discussion with Ric. I am in no way trying to fuel any rumors, and simply going by what I was told in conversation when I was there shopping for strings. The impression I had was that he more or less would love to see Ric reissue the 1993 model (as would I, with the correct specs). The 1993 RI I have had some strange specs. weird location of the bridge, small but elongated f hole, dark sounding pickups and sported a very thin neck. However, the FG finish was spot on!

Hi Walter. Yes, it's Monty Brown.... I think with the gold guards, TRC and oven knobs it's my prettiest 330 by far.

ozover50 wrote:Yep.... got one here!

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Love that pic Aitch the MB is a sweetie.Nearly as hot as the bombay blue takeaway

ozover50 wrote:Hi Walter. Yes, it's Monty Brown.... I think with the gold guards, TRC and oven knobs it's my prettiest 330 by far.

I would love to get one with those exact specs in a 330/12. Pretty, indeed!

lususnaturae wrote: The 1993 RI I have had some strange specs. weird location of the bridge, small but elongated f hole, dark sounding pickups and sported a very thin neck. However, the FG finish was spot on!

Yup, those aren't random strange specs -- -they are hallmarks of any early RM reissue (all reissue models have the bridge pickup close to the bridge, square neck heel (!!), different soundhole, tone etc from the original....there is not much in common, from my experience, except it sounds like yours was closer than most -- my original '64 has a thin neck indeed.

The '86 Sam Ash reissue 1993's were basically 360/12V64's with a template swapped out for the sound hole and an unbound do fretboard (plus trapeze).

Well, I'd love to see an anatomically-correct reissue, especially if it ever had the attention to detail that the C63 models had.

collin wrote:

lususnaturae wrote: The 1993 RI I have had some strange specs. weird location of the bridge, small but elongated f hole, dark sounding pickups and sported a very thin neck. However, the FG finish was spot on!

Yup, those aren't random strange specs -- -they are hallmarks of any early RM reissue (all reissue models have the bridge pickup close to the bridge, square neck heel (!!), different soundhole, tone etc from the original....there is not much in common, from my experience, except it sounds like yours was closer than most -- my original '64 has a thin neck indeed.

The '86 Sam Ash reissue 1993's were basically 360/12V64's with a template swapped out for the sound hole and an unbound do fretboard (plus trapeze).

Well, I'd love to see an anatomically-correct reissue, especially if it ever had the attention to detail that the C63 models had.

Thanks for the info! This forum is awesome! I always have gotten the strangest and conflicting responses when I have described my 1993 RI. I can dream, but I would love to see a correct 1993/12 reissue in Monty brown to go with my MG 1997 RI

+1 on the 1993 RI dream

Nice Mapleglo 1997 Walter and love the 335 to - cool photo, the Gibson f-hole looks really wide compared to the Rickenbacker.

Anyway, here's my brace. 1997RI FG from 1986 and 1997SPC JG from 1998. They are chalk and cheese.

godber wrote:+1 on the 1993 RI dream

Nice Mapleglo 1997 Walter and love the 335 to - cool photo, the Gibson f-hole looks really wide compared to the Rickenbacker.

Anyway, here's my brace. 1997RI FG from 1986 and 1997SPC JG from 1998. They are chalk and cheese.

Wow, I love the maple figuring on your FG 1997! The B5 Bigsby looks great too! And probably and hell of a lot more useful than the Accent vibrato on my 1997. I have never seen a 1997SPC before. Nevertheless it looks freaking awesome! And in JG!!

Here is an interesting variation. A "one-off" Montezuma Brown 1998 model: