The "B" Series

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 6:16 am

I asked a question about this in another section and didn't get much response so I thought I would ask again. Who came up with the "B" Series? Did "B" stand for Beatles? How was it received by the general public? It seems that it would have been a lot of work to not really get it right. Did this person have anything to do with the "C" Series. I know that this may be common knowledge for some of you, but I know nothing about this part of the RIC story.

Thanks

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:05 am

Those more in-the-know can correct my inaccuracies, so here goes: While the Beatles were never explicitly mentioned with the B series, that's the conclusion people were supposed to draw. It started in the early 80s (82?), and was the precursor to the V series. They were essentially production guitars (4001s, 320s, and 360WBs) with re-issue toaster top pickups.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 1:52 pm

Thanks Ted. Anyone else have more info on these? Were these produced when John Hall came back or before? Did FC Hall come up with this idea?

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:49 am

I just posted this on the "Rose Morris" thread but I think it's applicable here too

http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/bseries/bseries.htm

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:56 am

Brian: I just posted under the other topic. Thanks for the link Robert. I am unsure of the ending date but I think it went a bit beyond 1982, perhaps as late as 1984. Perhaps someone from RIC will clarify this. This sort of project has John Hall written on it, at least in my view. It would seem that this limited series could have been a trial run for what would be the very popular V series.

If I remember correctly, Thom Brown had two 320B series guitars. They were beautiful.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:15 am

Thom's 320s weren't B Series guitars, actually. He had a '82 320 LH(with the reverse headstock) and a '91 320 LH, both JG. I sold him the '82, it was the first guitar I ever sold as BobKat Guitars. Thom was a good guy and the RIC community misses him. For those not familiar with him, he was a fellow who lived on Jekyll Island, in Georgia, and played with a band called Flashback. I never saw them play, but Thom was a guy I corresponded with regularly. He passed away of a heart attack several years ago. He was a very friendly guy who always treated people with kindness and respect.

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:23 am

Note the 24 fret neck on the 360/12BWB.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:28 am

I remember reading a response from JH about the B-Series in the old threads some time ago. As I recall, he said that it was another person's idea, not his, and that he didn't like them.

Peter, if are able to access the old archive (the stuff that didn't get transferred over to the new server), you might want to see whether you can find it.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:10 pm

Thanks everyone! I love the history and I didn't know anything about this series. It would be nice if you could find it Peter, if only to see John Hall's comments.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:20 am

Bob: Thanks for setting me straight. As is often the case, you have sold a Rickenbacker to most lovers of this instrument at one time or another.

Here is a photo of Thom's Rickenbackers.

red_rob · Post by **red_rob** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 2:38 am

much prefer the old headstock...