Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was just perusing the most recent Guitar Center catalog, and it looks like the Platinum stores are now selling four new "Special" Rickenbacker guitars: a 1996 Special in Fireglo, a 360c63 Special in Fireglo, a 360/12 Special (with toasters) in Fireglo, and a 360/12 Special (with toasters) in Fire Alarm Red.

First of all, I've never heard of Fire Alarm Red as a color option. Second, since when do non-reissue 360/12's come stock with toasters? Does anyone know anything about the new "Special" line? Am I out of the loop on this one?

What?! I need one.

Folkie wrote:First of all, I've never heard of Fire Alarm Red as a color option. Second, since when do non-reissue 360/12's come stock with toasters? Does anyone know anything about the new "Special" line? Am I out of the loop on this one?

They did do some "Fire Alarm Red" 4003 basses and 360 WB guitars for the Germany Distributor last year.

The basses were made week 27. Not sure about when the guitars were made as we have not found an SN for one yet.

Thanks for the correction, Brian!

Oh and this thread mentions the Guitar Centre specials

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=411708&hilit=+Guitar+Centre

Probably should have done a search first! Thanks, I'll have a look at that thread, that is, when I can tear myself away from the game!

Pardon me, I'm from Cleveland, so I'm a little distracted right now! Any insights about the other "Special" Rics?

Guitar Center in Times Square has had several of these special models (guitars only, not basses) for quite some time. The 360/12 Fire Alarm Red, while very pretty, has extremely high action, which probably explains why it's collecting dust.

Robert, my honest opinion:

1. 360c63/6 FG SPC does not have the attention to detail to be called a c63, and would be better described as a v63
2. 360/12 FG SPC does not have checkerboard binding, and is really more of a 360/12 with some of the vintage upgrades that were available back in the special order days (pickups, TRC and tuners).
3. 1996 FG SPC coming of the heals of the 1996 AFG just doesn't excite people, unless you just missed out and can't find one of the others.
4. 360/12 Fire Alarm Red is the best of the bunch, but have never seen one available around me (wonder if the few they have/had were part of the German order?).

And at $3000 plus for each? There are better used alternatives of the first three and at a better price.

Sorry to be so harsh, but there is a reason they are not blowing off the hangers (but rather seem to be holding them back to make quantity seem more scarce).

xcoyle wrote:Robert, my honest opinion:

1. 360c63/6 FG SPC does not have the attention to detail to be called a c63, and would be better described as a v63
2. 360/12 FG SPC does not have checkerboard binding, and is really more of a 360/12 with some of the vintage upgrades that were available back in the special order days (pickups, TRC and tuners).
3. 1996 FG SPC coming of the heals of the 1996 AFG just doesn't excite people, unless you just missed out and can't find one of the others.
4. 360/12 Fire Alarm Red is the best of the bunch, but have never seen one available around me (wonder if the few they have/had were part of the German order?).

And at $3000 plus for each? There are better used alternatives of the first three and at a better price.

Sorry to be so harsh, but there is a reason they are not blowing off the hangers (but rather seem to be holding them back to make quantity seem more scarce).

If they sit any longer, do you think GC will be clearing them out in the distant future?

I don't. The sales people at GC don't even know they are allowed to sell anything below MSRP. John Hall has indicted that is not the deal, they just can't advertise below that price, with some exceptions allowed for defined sales.

My sales person and the manager still did what they believed was a "get around the rules" of the MSPR by giving me a gift card for a few hundred dollars.

But I would not expect a sale like in 2004 of 325c58 for $850 ever again from GC.

The real question is will they do any more SPC orders?

That color looks like what Paul W. did for my 4003/5 conversion.

xcoyle wrote:But I would not expect a sale like in 2004 of 325c58 for $850 ever again from GC.

One of the GCs near me had on on clearance for $700. Unfortunately, back then spending $700 on a guitar was a pipe
dream for me. Today, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.