Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Took delivery this afternoon of my 330/12 Walnut. This was bought from a BIG NAME UK outlet as a b-stock guitar at a seriously knocked down price. In short, a gamble. I wasn't sure what to expect.

What I received was a truly stunning instrument with no visible flaws, and perfect electronics. I have no idea why it was listed as b-stock/ex-display. I have lucked in for once!

It did need a set-up though (I am a full time self-employed guitar tech). The nut action was high on the bass side, so I took the nut action down to 0.1mm (0.004") on the E,A and D strings, both slots. The relief was also out on the bass side of the neck, so it was straightened out to 0.1mm (0.004") at the 8th fret. I lowered the action to my taste, and then set the intonation. The octave strings on E,A & D are slightly adrift, but not enough to warrant £150 plus on the 12 saddle bridge. The techies are quite correct - set the nut action correctly, and you're at the races. HiGains lowered to around 2.5mm with some slight tweaks to balance, and she was good to go.

The result is breathtaking. I already have a 650C FG and 4003 FG, and this is the crown topper to my Ric stable. It's early days, but I may have to let the 650C go as I can't see it getting played much!

Fantastic instrument. One very pleased English Ric owner!

About how much was knocked off the price being B-stock? 10%? 20%?

And how about a picture or two?

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Tommy wrote:About how much was knocked off the price being B-stock? 10%? 20%?

And how about a picture or two?

£1200 down from £1800 = 33% ish. A steal!

Burntweenie wrote:£1200 down from £1800 = 33% ish. A steal!

Wow, 33%. A steal indeed.

But you said in your first post: "I have no idea why it was listed as b-stock.'
Well, the pictures you posted explain that: the guys in the Rickenbacker shop forgot to paint it!

Lol, well I guess I can look at my 4003 and 650 if I want to admire a Ric paintjob (both very different examples of Fireglo, btw - 650 definitely has more orange in the burst. Love them both though)

24hrs in and the neck has stayed where I put it, and it's barely need tuning since the set-up. I'm still waiting for the catch...

Perhaps the dealer decided the interesting figuring/flame in the upper central part of the back was a defect and priced the guitar accordingly?

One week in - no issues to report other than I'm in love with this guitar.

I decided to make a gold scratch-plate a la the 75th Anniversary cherry/gold 330 model from 2006. I think it looks rather spiffy. I've also got some Toasters on their way.

Not sure what to do about the truss rod cover - make one without a logo, or spray the original.

I like the look of these these W guitars. Nice example. Week 29 of 2014 build I see.

Congrats on the good deal.

Wow, the gold pickguard is sooo right. RIC should sell the guitars that way. Your guitar looks fantastic with that gold.

Spray your truss rod cover. I made one from scratch and it was INSANITY to do. I had to make a RICKENBACKER stencil, precisely cutting out all the letters with a razor blade....UGH! Took forever and was beyond difficult. Very happy with end result, though.

You definitely have to put a gold trc on yours to match the guard. Completes the picture.

One other thing. Why not add the oven knobs to your guitar? Those knobs look black in many pictures, but they are a deep brown. They would look great with your guitar's brown finish.

I'm really keen on the cooker knobs but they don't do a fifth mini cooker. Any ideas? I've considered the vintage knobs (I've put those on my 650C) but think the cookers would really put the crown topper on it.

Burntweenie wrote:I'm really keen on the cooker knobs but they don't do a fifth mini cooker. Any ideas?

Yeah, I was scratching my head over that, too. I was just going to paint that fifth knob to match the oven knobs' brown color (easy enough to do), but just nixed it. The fifth knob is so small the color is barley noticed and plus the pickup switch knob is also black so the two sort of balance out the whole knob configuration.

I mean, can you really tell or does it even matter that the tiny fifth knob is a different color?

That's a nice looking axe. I think I may have to put an order in on the cookers... I'm also going to spry the trc. More to follow!

I had a 330W for about a year and loved it. Only gave it up because I wanted a 1993 Plus. Great find. Enjoy. I like your mods!!

have you played enough regular Ric hollowbodies to comment on how the Walnut is different in tone? They do seem to be going cheap(ish) at the moment.