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My 381/12 V69 in MapleGlo. Built in 2006, have been playing it regularly over the past 15 years. The on-stage photo is from 2021.

Vinkie wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:03 am

I love that binding. Adds so much class.

Here's the debut outing of mine from last night...

Superb !!!
How it is constructed ? In 3 parts front rear and side ?

Yes, it's a pretty guitar, especially in real life. The top is figured and almost three-dimensional but still looks understated. It's not a tiger striped flamed look like a Gibson LP. I like the 381 design featuring the 'German Carve' around the body. It was heavily influenced by the German style of guitar building of the first half of the century. Wenzel, Roger Rossmeisl's father, used to build guitars during that era using similar design elements. To me the 381 is a wonderful mash-up of early sixties sharp, hip looks and pre-40s German design, resulting in a new/different/unique guitar model.

Sound and playability are excellent for a 12 string: the neck is pretty fast, less full than many 330's/360's I played. The deeper body adds slightly but noticeable more low end compression and sustain. Through the toaster pickups it still has the signature vintage Rickenbacker sound.

The body is built from a three-layer sandwich: the arched top and back are carved/routed from behind; between them a middle section with the sides, neck pocket and bridge support.

I found it when, after a Ric 330 and a few other Gibson and Fender style 12 strings, I wanted to end my search with the prettiest Ric 12 I could get my hands on. Found this one on eBay in 2008, loved the looks, took a gamble and went for it. FedEx brought it from Florida to the Netherlands very quickly. I never looked back, it remained my single #1 12-string since then.

Yeah, the carve is wonderful. Ol' Mike & Mike's Guitar Rip-Off Fuck You has a turquoise one but they want over £5000 for it, which is insane.

It's an exceptionnel guitar!!!
This two tone binding remind effectivly, the old accoustic from the late 19th siecle.
This value for a second hand of 5000£ is understanble but too expensive for my wallet...
Take care of this beauty. Bye

JSett wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 01, 2023 2:08 am

I see the transformation to cowboy is starting with that bolo tie!

GreenKnee wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:08 am

JSett wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 01, 2023 2:08 am

I see the transformation to cowboy is starting with that bolo tie!

Hah! You know it. I thought a mix-up with how I dress was in order. I have a few nice western shirts and a couple of Bolo's so I might use that as my 'solo outfit'

If you catch me in cowboy boots, though, give me a slap.

JSett wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:18 am

Yeah, the carve is wonderful. Ol' Mike & Mike's Guitar Rip-Off Fuck You has a turquoise one but they want over £5000 for it, which is insane.

They cost 5000 CAD new. The Turqoise was a super limited run. Not sure how much in pounds, but yeah, they’re a 5K guitar around these parts. Rickenbacker doesn’t make many of them, and people don’t sell them second hand very often, and when they do the price is right around the same as new. It’s strange. I’ve been eyeing them for years.
They’re gorgeous though, that much is for certain. A 381 6-String version in black would be a bucket list instrument for me.

BoringPostcards wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:42 am

JSett wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:18 am

Yeah, the carve is wonderful. Ol' Mike & Mike's Guitar Rip-Off Fuck You has a turquoise one but they want over £5000 for it, which is insane.

They cost 5000 CAD new. The Turqoise was a super limited run. Not sure how much in pounds, but yeah, they’re a 5K guitar around these parts. Rickenbacker doesn’t make many of them, and people don’t sell them second hand very often, and when they do the price is right around the same as new. It’s strange. I’ve been eyeing them for years.
They’re gorgeous though, that much is for certain. A 381 6-String version in black would be a bucket list instrument for me.

I was not aware of that. Well, kinda makes sense then I guess. I'd say that it's reasonable to charge double seeing as it has the elaborate carving but they do it all with CNC now so there's barely any extra man hours. The other details fair enough.

I'm fine with my 'poor man's' (in comparison) 360

It is very fucking beautiful though...

Vinkie wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:03 am

My 381/12 V69 in MapleGlo. Built in 2006, have been playing it regularly over the past 15 years. The on-stage photo is from 2021.

Such a pretty guitar. The 381 guitars are just so elevated and classy.
What prompted the tailpiece switch? (R -> Winfield)

The R-tailpiece broke for no obvious reason. Mine lasted for 15 years before it failed. Apparently they are pretty weak and occasionally break down.

It costs literally hundreds of euros to get a replacement (either from Rickenbacker directly or elsewhere) and it won't be any stronger than the previous one. So I switched to a Winfield tailpiece. It looks better than the R imo.

Y'all showing off your nice Rics while I'm still drooling over the Harley Benton knockoff

Just got my 330 back from my tech. It needed a new nut (the original was cut WAY too wide and the E strings were both hanging off of the fretboard.) But the fun mod is that he wired a .033 cap across the two outer lugs of the blend pot, which makes that pot function as a bass cut knob for the neck pickup. Holy shit. Game changer. The neck pickup now has a use, and the middle position has a lot of clarity. You can still get the original neck position sound, but being able to filter out some of the bass is a huge help. Highly recommended.

That's a great mod I've been using and fitting for a long time, on my own and for other people's Rics. It makes the balance knob a useful instead of an almost redundant control. Being able to adjust low-end for the neck pickup is great for dialing in the mid position and easier to do.