Stay tuned

[ilan]

From Ric's fb and twitter

[Alanko]

They're putting the 4005 back into production? 

[Jeff Scott]

BTDT. 

Perhaps, this:

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/Factory-Special-Instruments_c_23.html

[Dave W]

From Ric's fb and twitter

When I read your thread title, first thought was that they were going with Min-E-Tune/GForce tuners. 

BTDT. 

Perhaps, this:

http://boutique.rickenbacker.com/Factory-Special-Instruments_c_23.html

Richlite 

[ilan]

I think she looks stunning.

[Dave W]

It is nice looking. Richlite would be a deal killer for me, though. OTOH if RIC goes all Richlite, our pre-Richlite Rics will skyrocket in value.

[ilan]

It is nice looking. Richlite would be a deal killer for me, though. OTOH if RIC goes all Richlite, our pre-Richlite Rics will skyrocket in value.

In my experience, fretboard material is the 2nd most important factor in a bass's sound (first is pickups). It has more effect on tone and character than body or neck material. But I will have to play a Richlite board first before forming an opinion. It's not always the case that synthetic materials sound inferior to natural wood. Remember Yo Yo Ma playing a carbon fiber cello at the second Obama inauguration?

It doesn't look half as nice as a figured padauk board like some Rics used to have. In pics - again, never seen it in person - Richlite looks like a 4002 ebony board or a Blackstar black enameled board. None of which has ever discouraged anyone from buying these models, I think.

[clankenstein]

Sure looks good.

[Dave W]

In my experience, fretboard material is the 2nd most important factor in a bass's sound (first is pickups). It has more effect on tone and character than body or neck material. But I will have to play a Richlite board first before forming an opinion. It's not always the case that synthetic materials sound inferior to natural wood. Remember Yo Yo Ma playing a carbon fiber cello at the second Obama inauguration?

It doesn't look half as nice as a figured padauk board like some Rics used to have. In pics - again, never seen it in person - Richlite looks like a 4002 ebony board or a Blackstar black enameled board. None of which has ever discouraged anyone from buying these models, I think.

I don't care how it looks or sounds, I want a wood fretboard.

[ilan]

My upright bow is carbon fiber, cost about $400 (used) and compares to $4-5K pernambuco sticks. One day in the foreseeable future I'm sure they will build CF violins that will cost a few thousand dollars and sound/play like $5-6M Strads.

[Dave W]

My upright bow is carbon fiber, cost about $400 (used) and compares to $4-5K pernambuco sticks. One day in the foreseeable future I'm sure they will build CF violins that will cost a few thousand dollars and sound/play like $5-6M Strads.

And I doubt they'll be making violins of post-consumer recylcled paper and glop. If they do, I won't be buying one.

[ilan]

Old Danos like Jimmy Page used to play were made of MDF or particle boards on a plywood frame. Still sounded nicer than some solid exotic wood guitars.

[Rob]

Old Danos like Jimmy Page used to play were made of MDF or particle boards on a plywood frame. Still sounded nicer than some solid exotic wood guitars.

I agree!  Their basses were double tracked on a LOT of country and western cuts as well. . . . As long as you didn't play in the rain.

[slinkp]

I think the reissue Danos circa 2000 have similar construction, though I don't know the exact materials. I have a U2 guitar and a DC bass. Love them.

They have wood necks and fretboard though

[Dave W]

Old Danos like Jimmy Page used to play were made of MDF or particle boards on a plywood frame. Still sounded nicer than some solid exotic wood guitars.

Even a cheap Dano has a real wood fretboard.

My comment wasn't about what Jimmy Page or anyone else likes or sounds good with, it's about what I would or wouldn't buy. I might buy a $400 Dano if it sounded good to me, but I definitely wouldn't buy an expensive bass with a Richlite board.