Gigging with vintage Rics?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Gigging with vintage Rics?
Has anyone extensively gigged with their vintage Rickenbacker? Any issues? I love my '68 330 of course, but I worry about it's durability being dragged around to gigs and clubs...
Re: Gigging with vintage Rics?
I haven't toured with vintage Ricks, but played more than a few shows with them.
Depends how you define "Vintage" (to me, that means pre-1973, 21-fret guitars with x-bracing). These are more susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature than modern Ricks (particularly 12-strings), but I wouldn't say they're super fragile compared to other semi-hollow guitars.
If you're looking for something totally bulletproof, I'd suggest picking up a vintage reissue that will get you 90% of the way there in terms of tone & playability without any concerns.
Depends how you define "Vintage" (to me, that means pre-1973, 21-fret guitars with x-bracing). These are more susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature than modern Ricks (particularly 12-strings), but I wouldn't say they're super fragile compared to other semi-hollow guitars.
If you're looking for something totally bulletproof, I'd suggest picking up a vintage reissue that will get you 90% of the way there in terms of tone & playability without any concerns.
Re: Gigging with vintage Rics?
No touring but lots of gigs... recently playing the heck out of a 72 4001 BG that Larry Davis restored beautifully. I used to play a couple of 60's convertibles a lot, they were great. Some tulips too.
Re: Gigging with vintage Rics?
I'd gigged any and all of mu instruments, vintage, or otherwise. For one example, my old '67 4005WB got extensive gig time at all kinds of venues, from large festivals to seedy college dive bars.