Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'd like to find out more information about these acoustic Rics. I'm new here, so first of all, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Mark Humphrey, and I own and operate Old Goat Guitars in Sarasota, FL. I've played/dealt/built acoustic guitars for 31 years and never delved much on the electric side. I did just buy a '96 330/12 with black hardware. What a great guitar. But, in research on the 330/12, I ran into these 700 series acoustics. Folks, I've bought and sold hundreds of acoustic guitars over the years, attended many guitar shows, and I've never seen one of these. I'm intrigued by these nice looking acoustics and want to find out more. Are they solid wood all the way around? Who carries them new? Anyone ever play one? If so, how do they compare to top-of-the-line acoustics? I welcome any and all information on these guitars. Thanks in advance.

Mark, you can't get more TOL than a $4800.00 Jazz-Bo.

Rick acoustics have always been thin in the ground, but not thin in sound. I know of no dealer who has a new one in stock.

Melissa B. has one, John W. does too I believe.

C'mon guys and gal, help the man out!

Thanks, Paul. But, I'm thinking more of the flattops. Guess I should've clarified that. I'm not sure what you mean that you can't get more TOP than a $4,800.00 jazz box. Actually, that's a moderately priced one. A wonderful guitar, I'm sure, but prices on these guitars easily go into five figures. I'm wanting to know how a flattop Ric acoustic stands up to a Martin, Collings, Santa Cruz, etc.

Mark, I A/B'd the rosewood and maple Ric jumbos (at Dave's Guitars in LaCrosse, WI) and compared them to every Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Lowden, and Guild in the store. The maple (sides and back) Rickenbacker Comstock beat the pants off of every other guitar there (really). Notes bloomed, chords shimmers, fingerstyle was beautiful. The Lowden guitars were a close second...

I had a Comstock on order but canceled it do to spurious info from my dealer. I got a Gibson J100 instead -and I regret it!

cheers, Noel

Mark, the TOL of the Rick line is the Jazz-Bo, and $4800.00 is the suggested retail. I'm really not too sure how far a dealer can discount these.

I am aware of the prices on luthier guitars and collectible flattops. Having never read a negative word about a Jazz-Bo, my comment was meant more as ironic--it is a very low-production piece and could almost be considered a luthier guitar, being largely handmade, but in a factory setting. And if the flatties outperform current offerings by Martin et. al., it would be interesting to see how one would stack up to a vintage or even a new D'Angelico, for instance. Size alone would indicate amazing projection. And all for under $5K retail.

There are many on this Forum who have personal experience playing the acoustics, and a couple of members who actually worked in the factory at one time. Give it time and they'll probably check in.

Thanks everyone for the prompt responses. I see these 700 series acoustics list around $2,300.00. So, what kind of a discount can you expect from a dealer (assuming you can find one who has it in stock). In other words, how much out the door? I searched all my usual haunts last night, and I didn't get one hit. Are these that rare? Apparently, they are. If anyone knows where one is, please let me know. It's nice to have a new challenge. It looks like finding one of these will keep me busy for awhile.

Mark, I own a '95 700 Comstock MG and a 2000 730 Laramie FG. The '95 is a very diffferent guitar than a newer 700. All I can say is that if RIC improved the newer design 700, it must be a great guitar. The sound from my '95: A lot of bass and plenty of treble. Less apparent is the mids. Thats not a knock. It really sounds nice.

The '00 730 has less bass but more mids and about the same treble. Not as loud as the 700. These are two different sounding instruments. Quality on both is excellent. I really can't compare these to Martins or Taylors as I haven't owned one of either. I did own a '95 Gibson J-160E. Now that was a piece of junk compared to these RICs. I only wish that I had ordered my guitars with acoustic pickup option. Hope this helps.

Yes, Mark, they are that rare (in stock). I recall one of the Rick specialist dealers (Pick of the Ricks?) having a used one a while back. I do a daily search on the Web and it's never turned up anything else in the past 6 months since I started.

Mark,

I own the Jumbo with Rosewood sides and back. Great guitar. KH put a Fishman under the bridge before Rick lured him out to CA. Need to add a preamp on it though (probably and hopefully an external one).

I am not as experienced as you are, but here are my impressions and points of reference...

Pretty stout neck (not what I was expecting, but very comfortable). Thicker than my 60's Gibson... Good action. Better than my buddie's Martin.

Good projection and balance. Sounds better than my '60s Gibson, sounds better than my buddie's Martin... Sounds better than my other buddie's jumbo which is either a Taylor or Larivee (cannot remember which).

Looks beautiful. The rosewood is a much prettier variety than what you see on other acoustics... The finish is high gloss, which is beautiful... Just a very, very pretty flat top. The laminated neck and maple headstock really set it apart.

Here is what I am scared of... I have seen two or three with a split top that has been repaired. The top on my seems very, very thin... So thin, that in the light you can see where the braces are... I'm guessing that is how Rick gets the sound articulation they are getting, but I am guessing they are very fragile compared to a Gibson or Martin. Which scares the beeJesus out of me and humidity/temperature changes...

Great guitar, and I'm on the scout for a jumbo 12...

My 6 might be for sale, but the price would be way beyond the $2300 list... One, because they are simply not available, and Two, because I'll put this one up against any modern Gibson Humming Bird Jumbo (with the tacky bridge work).

Mark - whereabouts in Sarasota is your shop located? I'm down in your area a couple of times a year and would love to drop by!

Jim...thanks for the astute input. I can't imagine a top that thin! How does it stay in one piece? It's amazing. Are the cracks you've seen on the center seam? I have talked to some of my dealer friends who have seen them, and frankly, they don't get a very good review. One called the Ric acoustic "an eccentricity of a fine electric guitar builder". When I queried how they would hold up against the great acoustics, I was told they aren't even in the same class. I'm sure they are as good or better than the mediocre products offered by Taylor and newer Gibsons. I'm starting to lose my enthusiam a little, but I would still like to play one for my own edification. I think you might get a good price for your six string simply because of its rarity.

Steve...my shop and my business is in my home. But, if you're going to be in Sarasota, let me know, and I'd be glad to show you my modest operation. I'm leaving for San Francisco March 24 and will return March 31.

Mark,

The top is really that thin... Maybe we can get together sometime and I'll let you check it out for yourself. Maybe I am just being hypercritical. Ask KH (although he now works for Rick so that may put him in a spot).

As for holding up against the "... great ones," I'll restate my comment that I am not a luthier... So, a lot of what I like may actually be what just feels and sounds cool to me.

I'm sure that if you had a flat top hand built, you could do "... better" or you could do exactly what you want.

Let me put it this way on the mediocrity of the modern brands you've mentioned... I am a casual player of about 22 years... I may not be an expert but I know a good guitar when I play and hold one... I'll take the Pepsi challenge on modern Gibson's, Martin's and the like any day...

My Rick is easier to play and I get good projection, good volume and good articulation out of it. I wouldn't go so far as others by comparing the 760 to Bennedetto's or finer archtops (different breed of cat), but I will tell you that my Rick (jumbo) compares very favorably to my old 60's Gibson (drreadnought).

I've got to travel to Savannah soon on business and I'm bringing the acoustic to play a song I wrote for a friend of mine's son. Maybe we can coordinate the trip so you can enjoy a weekend in Savannah and spend some time with the guitar.

Regards,

JKC

PS The splits were not at seams... Look at Mike Parks' site under sold guitars. One there was split and repaired. I also saw one in Minnesota but cannot remember if that was the same guitar. I've felt the difference in thickness between my Rick and my old Gibson but have not measured it... May be perception and may be the binding at the soundhold/rosette that is throwing me off, but I swear these things are thin up top... Anyone else agree?

Mark,
Here are some pics for you.

Nice looking pair there, Bill. The 12-string is gorgeous. About those thin tops - I've never seen a Ric acoustic in person, but I do know that thin is in. Taylor guitars are well known for having thinner tops; thin allows more vibration which obviously enhances the sound.

And of course, the opposite is true as well... if you play a cheap guitar with a thick, laminated top, the sound will basically be dead.

Thanks, Bill. Man, they sure look nice. It looks like they have a great finish. Now, I'm excited about getting one again. Pictures can say a thousand words!