A Rickenbacker 381V69 is an absolutely gorgeous instrument; the top of the line.
But, is it a Player's Instrument?
As far as I can remember, I've never seen one on TV - or live - being played in a band, except for John Kay.
There's very little on YouTube; primarily homemade demos.
Are they just too pretty to expose to the rigors of live performance?
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 11:16 am
by sloop_john_b
Generally, yes -- they're too expensive and too pretty.
That being said, I can think of a few bands who were using them recently - Wilco, Fleet Foxes, The Decembrists. Here's Jeff Tweedy playing his earlier this year:
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 11:46 am
by deaconblues
John Kay of Steppenwolf still uses a 381, too.
I've seen a 381 in a store maybe twice. I would wager that they're pretty rare compared to other models. Maybe the rarest.
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:06 pm
by collin
Not sure, but it'd be a damn shame to think that were the truth. I have a late 60's 381 and it's one of the best playing, best sounding Rickenbackers I've ever owned, I would gig it anywhere too..
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:05 pm
by sloop_john_b
collin wrote:Not sure, but it'd be a damn shame to think that were the truth. I have a late 60's 381 and it's one of the best playing, best sounding Rickenbackers I've ever owned, I would gig it anywhere too..
Oh, no doubt. I had one of the first reissues (December '87) and it was one of the finest Ricks I've ever owned. I gigged with it and recorded with it quite a bit.
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:33 pm
by thisismusicinc
Some years back there were a very cool 381 in montezuma brown for sale here in Norway. It certainly looked well played, though not abused. It had a P90 in bridge position, a bigsby and priced so low I could actually afford it. A cool player. But I waited too long and I still regret it.
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:31 am
by Danotron
Mine is a John Kay but I have been known to gig with it...........
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:31 am
by jdogric12
I stopped in a local GC to pick up some moongels and saw a 381/12v69 FG... a guitar I've wanted for a long time but never owned one. It was priced at $3999. NO THANK YOU!!!! lol
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:33 am
by paologregorio
Before I bought Big Red, I gigged my six and 12 string 381s quite a bit. More recently, I loaned the 12 to Louis Gutierrez of the Three O'clock for a few gigs.
Sound mix isn't the best, but here's one live clip; the mix was bass-heavy that night:
Re: Is the 381V69 Primarily a Collectors Guitar?
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:28 am
by chefothefuture
I've gigged with both my former '87 and '89….
Wish I still had them. The '87 with it's COA and super birdseye neck….
