The only problem I'm aware of is through word of mouth. It has to do with bass guitars, not hollow bodies. Before the new truss rods were put in. People would string basses with the wrong type of strings putting excessive pressure on the headstock, and bowing the necks.
I've got a 1977 4001 in azureglo (Lefty) with a neck that is laser straight. I've always used Flatwounds. So dont be a yahoo and toss your guitar into the air and forget to catch it. It will outlive you, and only go up in value. Take a look online at a 1966 12 string. The price will shock you.

I wouldn't even try those with my Fender.

_________________
Jangle, Chime & Twang.

MODROVER-Rics are really great guitars. Very durable but more important getting one relieves the agony of desiring one.

To everyone else: Stop jumping on your guitars!




(Here's to your continued good health MODROVER!)

WOW! Thank you guys! I can see... yes... you are a loyal bunch indeed. I understand the passion some of my questions bring so... any hijacks are fine... I am just a noob after all. :^)

I think I'm hearing a common thread among you lot... that they're great guitars that'll last just as long as anything else out there. No issues then. I'm the sort that will take very good care of his gear. For that reason, I feel like I won't be disappointed. My fears had been that, my preconceived notions of the "dream guitar", would not live up. Example, the twin truss rod design... I've been told you need to adjust this every time you restring? That right? Just how much fussing about does that truss rod setup need? Also, that the guitar feels too light... like it'd break up easy if dropped from the torso height. I'm not saying these things are facts. I mean, I read them on the internet so... a grain of salt you know. That is why I'm asking the brothers in arms here... for the true facts about growing old with one.

My local (Portland, OR) has one jetglo and one mapleglo. I will be trying to get over there to play them asap. Maybe this weekend if family issues allow. I will play them... as many as I can... to find that "one" you guys keep referring to. I'd like to find true love with a Rickenbacker... and a deal wouldn't hurt either! :^)

This brings me to another question... if these 330 models are selling for $1699 what does the actual dealer have into them then? I'd like to know what wiggle room there might be... especially if I've got cash in hand ready to deal (not that I do right now at this very moment). Any ideas on what these cost dealers? Sorry if this offends any of you who are dealers... but... it's not like I'm asking for top secrete info. I mean, with the lack of good stock at hand... dealers are holding on to them regardless of privileged info.

Hey, thank you for those who offered regards with my beating cancer. It's something you beat down... way down... and lock the seller door to keep that shite from coming back. Once you have it... you live with it... some better than others. I didn't want to sound like a headcase about this, but... I did want to express my true feelings about what brought me to this website. My prayers go out to those of you dealing... and those that have had to deal... with this nightmare of demons. Godspeed to you and yours to kicking the crap out of it... and living.

I have thought on a used one. Damn if they don't still fetch $1000-new price. If I'm going to have to shell out $1000... I'll just pay the extra $600 and get new. I mean, that way... the only soul poured into that guitar would've been the folks that built her... and me.

Oh... and I've got to stop looking at cheaper options as well. I've seen that Epiphone Nick Valensi model... very nice for $700! Problem being... it STILL wouldn't be a RIC... and I didn't go through bullshit cancer to treat myself to a non-RIC substitute right? I bet if I did purchase something else... I'd only be back here crying about it saying, "I should have saved my bills for that Rickenbacker after all... waaaaah..." :^) No, I must hold strong... save my cash... and hope for more selection to try.

Any other thoughts on this... just keep 'em coming mates!

Regards,
Modrover

Ha! No - that's one of the classic myths. Once adjusted right, the Rickenbacker system is actually MORE stable than most, and once it's really settled down - which can take a few years, as with any guitar - many owners report that they then don't ever need adjusting again, even after decades.

It's just a little more involved than a normal single rod, just because there are two. In theory, each affects its own side of the neck, but in practice they both affect both sides, just one more than the other. So to get it really right you may have to adjust one, then the other, then the first again, etc etc. But once you see how much each one is affecting each side of the neck it's not really difficult.

That would not be a good idea - but then it wouldn't with most guitars, even including a Telecaster. You wouldn't snap the neck of a Tele like that, but you would likely do fairly serious damage to the finish and might bend some of the hardware, depending on how it landed. With a Rick... I'd be worried about the headstock, neck joint and body cracks, and if it fell face down you'd almost certainly break the pickguards and may damage the bridge. You need to take good care of any instrument, I'm sure Clint would agree!

There are definitely a lot of myths about Ricks, more than with most other guitars. They ARE a little different, but not that much, and really the main one is the double truss rods. The basses did have a bad reputation for "flimsy" necks because of this, as up to 1984 the truss rod design was different and improper adjustment - usually for heavier strings - could damage the rods (making them impossible to adjust again) or even pop the fingerboard off at the head end. But the design was changed 25 years ago now.

We aren't allowed to discuss prices here (don't worry, you won't get banned for a first offense!) but since the demand for Ricks far exceeds supply you're unlikely to have much 'wiggle room'. It never hurts to ask though.

There is no cheaper substitute :-). If you want a Rick, save your pennies and wait for the right one - it's worth it.

Be aware that there are a few 'Rick-a-likes' you might find occasionally, but none of them play or sound like the real thing even if they look quite close, and most of them are illegal infringements of RIC trademarks. Unlike other companies (like Fender, who have just lost some important rights to their own designs in court), RIC is very vigorous in defending its trademarks and you can't even legally sell a used example.

If you're really unlucky you might find an actual fake - ie a copy dressed up as the real thing with a fake logo. (Most of these are 330-style, too - or 4001 basses.) If you're not experienced with the genuine item, some of them can be fairly convincing, but none stand up to close inspection, even in pics. If you're offered one for what seems like a too-good-to-be-true price, it probably is! Ask here and some of us should be able to tell if it's genuine or not.

Gee whiz. We just had a spirited little discussion, is all. I certainly agree with BA 99.9% of the time. Also, in the future as you post here (and I hope you will), I urge you to take his advice, when offered. I have always found it to be practical and insightful. I also urge you to resist the temptation to settle for a less expensive guitar. You've been through enough, get what you really want. Play it and enjoy it. Just don't drop it!

_________________
Jangle, Chime & Twang.

Try to buy it for a price you think is fair and leaves the dealer enough to buy a cart full of groceries for his family.

I was just doing a bit more searching... researching the RIC. I can across a youtube video of one of those favorite bands of mine... The Jam. Well, wouldn't you know it... there those boys are rocking it out with their Rickenbackers! I watched "In the City" and "All Around the World" live youtube videos... that lovely RIC sound coming through... Paul Weller ruffian rude boy'n the vocals... nice!

It's interesting how the Rickenbacker sound has been calling me. The Church is my all time favorite band. I was introduced to them back in '82 and they've been with me ever since. Marty Wilson-Piper... solo stuff is just freaking unbelievable as well. Then there's the early REM... the good stuff... Peter Buck twang'n away. And let us not for get Lemmy... Motorhead is great... when the little ones are not around to here them. :^)

Yes, the Rickenbacker sound has been calling me... for over 28 years by my accounts. Funny that I never put that together until just recently. Ah... the search continues... and I continue to save my pennies. ;^'

Uh-oh, I see a wheel or two dislodged from the track. Time to get 'em all back on track. IMHO, yes, Rickenbackers CAN handle bumps and grinds when compared to other guitar makes. Toss it out of the jalopy at running speed on the Santa Monica Freeway? Use it as an oar while rowing? Issues abound. Use it for its intended purpose? No issues. My dos centavos' worth.

Play on, pick often, and prosper.......Goofyfoot.

Goofyfoot, I think that just about covers it. Treat it like it was meant to be treated, no problems. Mark