New from RIC - 4003 NOIR - Limited Edition of 25, $2.7K

ilan · September 03, 2016, 10:07:59 AM

The

says "NOT a one-off!" and "They're coming" and "more details to follow". They even changed the cover photo to a matte black headstock with laser engraved TRC. In the comments they hint that the color scheme will be used on other RIC guitars also.

The pics show sort of a matte Shadow. Matte black with black hardware and black/checkerboard binding, and dot inlays. Unfinished and unbound Macassar ebony board. Vintage style knobs.

Bert · September 03, 2016, 10:16:10 AM

Very nice. :-)

I wonder if it got some inspiration from this one:

(picture is a little too blueish.)

Dave W · September 03, 2016, 12:49:09 PM

It's beautiful, and it's bound (pun intended) to be expensive. What really surprised me was the "not a one-off."

Bert · September 03, 2016, 12:59:22 PM

Is it me, or does the neckwidth really look reasonably (small).

Highlander · September 03, 2016, 01:05:03 PM

Gorgeous... but I dread to hear the price...

ilan · September 03, 2016, 01:31:47 PM

Matte finishes are a cost-cutting measure and should be priced less than high gloss. Like Fender's Highway 1 or Gibson's "Faded".

Basvarken · September 03, 2016, 02:05:19 PM

Best looking Ric I have ever seen.

Highlander · September 04, 2016, 01:19:25 AM

Quote from: ilan on September 03, 2016, 01:31:47 PM
... Matte finishes are a cost-cutting measure ...

Doesn't work that way with cars...

Alanko · September 04, 2016, 10:33:18 AM

Fixed!

Quite a cool finish, but reminds me of the Gibson 'Goth' range. Maybe not quite the best time for it?

Dave W · September 04, 2016, 10:16:44 PM

Quote from: ilan on September 03, 2016, 01:31:47 PM
Matte finishes are a cost-cutting measure and should be priced less than high gloss. Like Fender's Highway 1 or Gibson's "Faded".

Not necessarily. Those were quick and easy one or two-step finishes designed to cut labor costs, but a matte finish can be multi-step and labor-intensive (as with cars, as Ken says). The topcoat has a flatting agent added to prevent it from becoming glossed. We don't know yet what Ric is doing, but somehow I doubt they would skimp on the finish to cut costs.

Regardless, we know that the checkerboard binding will add quite a bit to the price.

Highlander · September 05, 2016, 12:20:03 AM

The nonsense with cars (so I've heard) is that you mus'n't "clean" them, as you would a normal finish, as this would give the matte finish a "shine", as per Alanko's post...

Alanko · September 05, 2016, 05:16:49 AM

I've seen a few cars with that flat finish, and always wondered how you clean them. Do you have to use detailing clay to remove dirt? Presumably you run the risk of shining up areas if you aren't careful, and I imagine door handles end up glossy anyway?

I guess the same will happen to the Ricks eventually around playing areas. A few of my Fenders past and present had satin-finished necks that either turned glossy over time or I buffed them out myself.

uwe · September 06, 2016, 11:12:39 AM

Stealthenbacker - now you see it, now you don't. Probably commissioned by the Israel Army.

(Sorry, Ilan, couldn't resist!)

66Atlas · September 06, 2016, 11:48:31 AM

I love those Cheerio looking inlays.

ilan · September 06, 2016, 02:31:27 PM

Quote from: uwe on September 06, 2016, 11:12:39 AM
Stealthenbacker - now you see it, now you don't. Probably commissioned by the Israel Army. (Sorry, Ilan, couldn't resist!)

The real camouflage bass is a Fender Jazz. Blends in the background to the point where you are indistinguishable from the zillion other J players around you. This is why a J clone is the IDF standard-issue bass.