Rickenbacker Acoustics

popmerchant · Post by **popmerchant** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 4:42 pm

Hey all...

I have to say, I've seen the pictures of the Rickenbacker acoustic guitars in the catalog and stuff, but I have NEVER seen one in real life! I've never seen one for sale in a guitar store, or even on eBay! Do they really exist? heh heh!

Seriously, though, does anyone have one? I'd love to get some details about them and how they compare to other acoustic guitars. I think they look really cool in the pix I have seen, but how do they play?? And where the heck do you get one!?

Thanks....

John

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Apr 10, 2004 6:09 pm

John,
I'm with you, I've never actually seen one in person, either. I think Melissa has one! Maybe she would be so kind as to give us a report and tell us how it sounds compared to other acoustics out there.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 3:10 am

They're not easy to find but they do pop up from time to time. I have never seen a production 12 string though. I wanted a Comstock or Laramie 12 string terribly but I had to settle for a Taylor.

mrtidy · Post by **mrtidy** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 3:52 am

I own a 730 Laramie. I waited a year and a half to get one from Music123.com. Looks great sounds great, very bright and loud. The neck feels slighty wider than an electric neck but not nearly as wide as my friends Tacoma. It's my only acoustic...
I did have some trouble with it that required it to go back to Rickenbacker. That was not a pleasent experience, left a bad taste in my mouth, but when it came back they had done some extra work on it for free. I appreciated that.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 4:07 am

I own a '95 700 Comstock MG and a '00 730 Laramie in FG. The '95 is a taotally different acoustic than the newer 700s construction-wise. I havent been abole to compare them sound wise. Mine has lots of bass and have been told that it sounds great. The 730 is a beauty and plays/sounds great to me. I want a 700/12!

adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 7:24 am

Bob Belloff wrote: "I wanted a Comstock or Laramie 12 string terribly but I had to settle for a Taylor."

It's not like that's a bad fallback position.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 9:04 am

Steve was right, I do indeed have a Ric acoustic, a 700 Comstock in fireglo. It has a really nice, crisp bright treble sound, with a wonderfully booming, percussive bottom end. Ever since I got this guitar last summer it is the only acoustic I ever play; my old Martin-sounding Takamine just sits in its case now. Someone else on this list once described the sound of the Comstock as being "anti-Martin" --it doesn't have that same fullness as a Martin, but its voice is very distinctive.... the treble notes have a certain Rickish chime to them. Mine doesn't have the electronic pickup in it, but nonetheless it is quite loud and aggressive sounding for an acoustic; it really sings out when I hit it hard.

It feels really great to play; it seems to have been made to fit the hand that has been spoiled by playing Ric electrics.... I love the low action on this guitar, and the feel of the neck, which is narrow compared to my other acoustic, but maybe not quite as narrow as the necks of my electric Rics.

The Comstock looks just as great as it sounds: the flamed maple back and sides are just gorgeous in the fireglo, and it is sharply accented by the checkerboard binding and gold tuners and truss rod cover....It is a beautiful guitar, and I wouldn't trade it for any other acoustic out there.

hamiltone · Post by **hamiltone** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 12:33 pm

I have a Jazz-Bo on my shopping list of guitars (we all have these don't we?). The top carve looks absolutely outstanding, and the slash sound-holes....I've never seen a published price for this model so does anyone know the likely cost of this guitar? (I know it's not cheap) Thanks.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Apr 11, 2004 1:39 pm

I'd like a Jazz-Bo also, but I like the heel shape of the earlier ones better, the one that flairs outward.

squid · Post by **squid** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:10 am

I spoke to Mike Parks about a Jazz-Bo once and was gently dissuaded from getting one. Not because it isn't a great guitar (I'm sure it is) but, according to Mike, Ric has never filled an order for a 760J. I don't know if there's any truth to this and, to be fair, the waiting list for any hand-carved archtop is exceedingly long. The price I was quoted was in the $4000 range. Again, that's typical for a high-end archtop. It would look beautiful in Montezuma Brown, don't you think?

squid · Post by **squid** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:27 am

Just re-reading my earlier post and my comments about the $4000 price quote. That's actually a very reasonable price considering what's on offer. It's not uncommon to pay upwards of $10,000 for a hand-carved archtop with back and sides made of solid wood.

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:44 am

I love the looks of the Jazz-Bo and would LOVE to try one.....

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:10 am

I've never seen a Jazz-bo other than in pictures.... One in Montezuma Brown would be sweet indeed.

hamiltone · Post by **hamiltone** » Mon Apr 12, 2004 10:42 am

Oh yes Melissa, that's definitely the colour for this guitar.....