Factory tour pics and some interesting basses

[ilan]

These links were posted yesterday on the RRF.

Part 1/3
Part 2/3
Part 3/3

Note the Fireglo basses  with vintage S specs and correct (non-reverse) headstock.  V63? 1999RM reissue? And the white 4001C64 with what looks like an ebony fretboard.

[Highlander]

A thing of beauty to behold... sub-zero... 

Great post, Ilan...

I WILL own a Ricky one day...

[SKATE RAT]

man, i want a Ric sooooooo bad!

[Bert]

1999RM reissue?

Yes. Look here. There's a "Four new models" topic in the "general" section on this on RRF also.

[Dave W]

I'll be impressed when and if they're available worldwide and not just as a limited Japanese market item.

[eb2]

The 1999fg (4001v63) is wonderful. I will sign up for one in a heart beat.

Until then, I will be patient.

[Thornton Davis]

I translated the Japanese ad to English. It would be interesting to see what kind of neck profile they put on the 1999

Here's the translated text from the posting.

This time, Shinseido this year to commemorate the 60th anniversary under the Rickenbacker's full cooperation, Shinseido Rickenbacker 60 so we'll now be released to commemorate the anniversary of the original model, I would like your information.

Summary Date:
Model: 310C64 (Color: JG /?Ì Ó Ï Ý ½ Þ × ³ Ý)
360C63FG (Color: FG / JG)
1999 (color: FG / JG)
Expected Quantity: 60 each book.
310C64 (JGx24, MBx36), 360C63 (FGx40, JGx20), 1999 (FG / JG planned)
Price: £ 480,000 (tax excluded)
Time: 9?Rimasu expects to start selling from February.


TD

[ilan]

480,000 Yen = $5,255.

[Hornisse]

I remember when the 75ths came out and I wanted one and asked a local dealer to get one for me.  He said he probably couldn't get one.  Well, he did get one and sold it for double the list price.  I'm sure these will go for a lot more than that list price too.

[Chris P.]

Nice. Toasters always look good.

[ilan]

The new 1999 isn't that much different from a v63, which can be had for a lot less than the RRP of the Japan LE.

The only real difference that I can see (other than the tug bar) is the new (and attractive) Fireglo. Some FG v63's have the 90's clown burst.

If you want a new one, I reiterate my idea of reversing (actually un-reversing) a C64 headstock. Should be an easy task for a skilled luthier who knows Rics.

[gearHed289]

What's up with the white Rics? Love those....

[ilan]

I think they are either custom orders or factory experimental guitars. I too have a soft spot for bright non-yellowed white with black trim. But IIRC John Hall has stated in the past that RIC will not offer White again.

[Daniel_J]

That's quite a different shade of FG and I definitely like it.
As for the reverse head white 4001, note the sealed tuners aswell. Maybe it's a custom order indeed.

The 1999 looks just like a C64 with a proper oriented headstock. And the pic in the japanese site is a photoshoped version of the C64 pic.

The new 1999 isn't that much different from a v63, which can be had for a lot less than the RRP of the Japan LE.

The only real difference that I can see (other than the tug bar) is the new (and attractive) Fireglo. Some FG v63's have the 90's clown burst.

The V63 has a lot of differences compared to the C64: different head shape, different body - most noticeable on the horns,  but also on the edge countours-, different pickguard shape and size, different horse-shoe mounting ring, different bridge, difference in the dot markers...
Not to be picky, but I just wanted to point that out...

From the factory pics, body shape of those 1999 looks just like C64, but the head looks more like the newer 4003 heads rather than the C64.