Just for an update, I received the proper information to acquire a new R tailpiece for my 366/12 and have sent it in to RIC. It should arrive their tomorrow.
This whole situation did something else as well. It got me to check out the different models of Ric's to see what is still made and what has been discontinued. Besides my 366/12, I have a 380LPZ that is no longer made. I believe I have one of the last ones made as I received mine in June of '03 after the obligatory waiting period. I also had, for many years, a 325/V59 which I recently sold.
I know the situation with the acoustics as it is apparently hard to find a proper luthier to run 'the shop'. Apparently this has not changed and I wonder if John Hall is still looking for someone. Would be great to see that operation start up again.
Anyway, as I was looking at the different models, I took a look at the 660 models. I've always wanted a 660/12 which lead me to search some on line stores to see if any where available. That's when I was looking on the 'Musicians Friend' site and ran across a few 660...6 strings. All of them in Mapleglo, there were three available and all had pics available for each. I found this to be quite 'finished' in their presentation. I could examine each one to see the differences in their appearance.
But, they were not the 12 string I had been pining for. At that moment, I had clarity. I realized that I already had a similar 12 string in a 620 model of which I had modified with toasters. I thought, if I was to purchase a 660/12, would it not be like getting another model of virtually the same guitar? I pondered and decided that this would truly be the case.
The little voice inside my head (from the dark side) said, "You could still have a 660! Does it matter if it's not a 12 string?"
My answer to myself was, "No, not really." Besides, I have 4 12 strings already, two of them Rics.
It was at that point I had made a decision. After again, examining the pics of the the 660 models on the MF site, I chose what appeared to be the most 'figured' one and purchased it!
It will arrive at my door in a matter of hours!
It's funny how one can rationalize a purchase in this way. But, then again, I have been buying at least one guitar or amp or both each year for going on 11 years now. So, it's not too unusual!
