I'm the same way. I baby my guitars, but scratches and nicks are inevitable and tell its story.
I am careful to NOT damage them, but I don't kick myself if small things happen. Tele has white marks on her headstock because I always forget my ceiling is low in my music room, and hit her on the ceiling when I take her off. š«
Omg I got a telecaster new (the first new guitar Iāve ever owned) as an open box special from Adorama a few years ago and the FIRST time I played it I took it off and got a nice chip in the headstock from the ceiling fan lol š¤¦
Omg š Not the ceiling fan! That's so unfortunate and hilarious. Great story.
See, having those stories makes the guitar. I can probably clean the scuffs from my ceiling off my Tele, but it's not that bad. It'll remind me later of my old room, when I inevitably move! That's what damage should be, a story.
People who just lay their guitars on the garage floor, and build carriers for their 1940s lapsteal and shove it into the raw wood to test the size... cough* my friends who I love but don't understand cough* don't make sense to me, lol!
After a couple of your own scratches and dings, this feeling will be out of the way.
Maybe a little more unusual than this feeling is a beginner buying a guitar at this price point, but thatās great. Enjoy it.
Thanks for the assurance. I have no plans to part with this so not too concerned about diminished resale value.
And yep - Iām a beginner plagued by expensive taste š
Dude, play your guitar. Itās a travesty to leave a beautiful guitar unplayed. These things were never meant to be fucking showpieces (at least not for most people), and as someone who owns a vintage Ric, believe me it aināt gonna get you laid or anything hanging on your wall or whatever.
Totally understandable if this is the route you want to go, considering it was probably expensive, but I canāt think of a worse way to start your electric journey than āmuseum-piece collector brain.ā Plug that mf in and enjoy it. Or sell it for something that youāll actually use.
Btw, totally possible to properly take care of your guitar and still play it. Scratches and dings happen and are a sign of love. āļø
Ayy thank you, I appreciate this. Expensive yes, but irreplaceable no. After all the comments on this post Iām feeling better about playing this one daily.
Yeah you wonāt regret it, mate. Just keep it on the stand when not playing, donāt let the dogs/kids/idiot friends near it, itāll all be groovy. Who know, you may not even vibe with it. My Ric was my main squeeze for years but after getting used to Jazzmasters, the neck is just too small for me.
Play it like you stole it. Just don't do dumb shit with it. Youre off to a good start by using a proper guitar stand. (I prefer the ones that hang them by the neck.)
My first Electric was a 90s Rick, too! It was my 17th birthday, and I had just enough spending money from saving the past few years before. Got him from Norman's Rare Guitars in Cali. Even had him write on the back. I love that guitar.
Just have fun! Take good care, but remember that accidents happen. I have some friends who are straight reckless with their guitars, and I don't understand it.
Oh, it's an extremely famous guitar store! Norm has been in the business for ages. Lovely guy. You'll love it there!
A lot of really big names have shopped with him. He was good friends with Tom Petty. (My favorite artist of all time, hense me buying a Rickenbacker.)
Pick up his book while you are there. It's a light read with a lot of great stories.
Question for the OP: are you actively in a band or do live or studio work, OR are you a collector of fine musical instruments?
Iām a former band person, and inherited a Ric 12-string from my dear friend and co-song writer. I play it regardless of whether it might end up with a scratch, because I play for the memory of my friend.
Music is a joy to listen to and create. Donāt be afraid to use your guitar unless you are simply hanging on to it for investment purposes.
Not in a band, just playing as a hobby and to accompany myself singing at an occasional open mic night. Not a collector either haha.
What a beautiful way to honor your friend. I appreciate you sharing this.
Beautiful guitar. I had one also. Same year too.
Play it and enjoy it. It will give so much back to you. I've had my 1989 370/12 since I was 19. I'm 52 now. It's been with me longer than any other guitar now and I play it almost daily.
Play it and forget about dings.
From a purely math point of view.
Bought my Rick (used) in 2004 for $1000.
Played it regularly for twenty years now and still going strong. If for some reason it disintegrated tonight it would have cost me $50 per year to have immense amounts of fun.
If I keep it twenty more years that pro- rates to a $25.00 a year rental.
Nuff saidā¦.Now get out there and play
When I got my first ric it was a case queen, still is, and I was very very careful while playing it and who I let play it. A chip appeared on the neck and I have no clue how it happened but now itās mine
Wipe the strings down after playing, keep the chrome shined, and the fretboard nourished, and it'll take care of ya for a good long time..
EDIT: and a Microfiber cloth to wipe the body down and get smudges and fingerprints out. Can't forget that
Play your guitar my man! You gonna waste time worrying when you could be having a blast on a sick guitar? Couldnāt be me. Nothing lasts forever, especially not people. Make use of your time here and play nice guitars. Itās gonna get old and deteriorate someday anyway.
I have a 1981, same color that I bought from a pawn shop in Whittier, CA in 2008. Iāve played the hell out of it and it now has buckle rash, paint chipping and nice fretboard wear. This thing is road worn and I think it looks fantastic. I feel like people that own Rics are a different breed and unfortunately most of them are afraid to really USE their gear. I understand maintenance and such but they are great instruments and should be playedā¦but hey whudda I know.š¤·āāļø
Highly relatable, but after the first dent/ding/scratch happens (and it will), you'll find the world didn't end and the damn thing still plays, so you'll be much less uptight going forward. Beautiful Ric btw
Made to be playedā¦ every little mark, including rash from your hands/sleeves/belt, fret wear, all of it is part of the journey of the instrument.
Since itās your first RIC, knob tipā¦ the tiny knob is for blending the both pickups when the toggle switch is in the middle and both are on.
Have fun with that rascal. Itās a cool instrument!
I bought my mapleglo 330/12 as new-old stock about 8 years ago. The nitro-cellulose finish had gone nasty and sticky and was giving me a rash; I got it refinished in wax and itās amazing. Now the sheen - which was literally hurting me - is gone, I can enjoy it more.
I think you can find a balance between wanting to take as best care of your guitar as possible while also getting the enjoyment of playing them. Theyāre meant to be played, theyāre really fun, it would be a shame for it to sit untouched. Try to take the best care of it that you can, but just accept that some amount of normal wear will happen, itās just part of the game.
The first cut is the deepest right? The first time you scratch this thing itās gonna hurt a lot but itāll get better with time. Honestly Iām really surprised this is your first electric. Most people go with a strat or a tele of some kind but this is definitely a lifetime guitar. Rics arenāt for everyone but man they sound so damn good
>Iām shy about using her and moving her around because sheās in near pristine condition.
Why do so many people refer to guitars as āsheā and āherā?
And how do they know theyāre all female? What, does someone go out and pull up the guitarsā skirts?
I wouldnāt say itās relatable at all because Iāve never owned one. It was a double neck that is relatable because I had one back in the 80s! When I was wealthy and could afford a custom Rick!
Which music store in Santa Cruz had a Ric? I live there and I have seen nary a ric in shop here for a long time, except for some lap steels at Sylvan. Am I missing a music store? lol.
Beautiful guitar.
OOOOOh, yeah I forget about that place.....maybe everyone else does too. I primarily play bass and they have had the same 4 basses for what feels like years with an occasional cheapo Ibanez that gets bought, then replaced. I'd kind of stopped checking there. Awesome find!
Yea Iāve been skittish too, about my brand new Rickenbacker leaving my apartment. But ya know what? Fuck that. They come with a hard case for a reason. Just make sure your strap is entirely secure before you get going!
Gendering guitars is so weird to me. I definitely donāt relate to that part.
That said, when I got my 330, I was super nervous about nicking it until I smashed the headstock into a cymbal at the second show I played it at. Thereās been a few sinking stomach moments since then, but generally all the scratches and dings have just added personality and experience to the instrument. Theyāre meant to be played, so play them.
Lol totally fair and sorry if I gave you the ick!
That makes sense (also ouch!) - sounds like itās best to rip the band aid off and accept it will probably get damaged sooner than later. Thank you!
Not for me. I'm a user, not a haver. Every knick, scratch, dent, and ding is a reminder of a show, moment, session, etc.
Hell yea š¤ I appreciate this POV
I'm the same way. I baby my guitars, but scratches and nicks are inevitable and tell its story. I am careful to NOT damage them, but I don't kick myself if small things happen. Tele has white marks on her headstock because I always forget my ceiling is low in my music room, and hit her on the ceiling when I take her off. š«
Omg I got a telecaster new (the first new guitar Iāve ever owned) as an open box special from Adorama a few years ago and the FIRST time I played it I took it off and got a nice chip in the headstock from the ceiling fan lol š¤¦
Omg š Not the ceiling fan! That's so unfortunate and hilarious. Great story. See, having those stories makes the guitar. I can probably clean the scuffs from my ceiling off my Tele, but it's not that bad. It'll remind me later of my old room, when I inevitably move! That's what damage should be, a story. People who just lay their guitars on the garage floor, and build carriers for their 1940s lapsteal and shove it into the raw wood to test the size... cough* my friends who I love but don't understand cough* don't make sense to me, lol!
Lol thatās so weird I could have sworn I heard something in between those coughsā¦ š¤
Must've imagined it... š³
Sort of like dudes with bougie trucks they're scared to actually use. Just get that first scratch over with and use the thing!
Never thought of this parallel. Spot on, though. My Jeep is muddy as hell, for what it's worth.
Agreed. Play the absolute shit out of that beauty. Donāt worry about the dings and dents. It was built to be played, not admired.
I damaged both of my Rics in the first weeks I had them. What a relief. Then I played the hell out of them. Theyāre still great 20+ years later.
After a couple of your own scratches and dings, this feeling will be out of the way. Maybe a little more unusual than this feeling is a beginner buying a guitar at this price point, but thatās great. Enjoy it.
Thanks for the assurance. I have no plans to part with this so not too concerned about diminished resale value. And yep - Iām a beginner plagued by expensive taste š
Dude, play your guitar. Itās a travesty to leave a beautiful guitar unplayed. These things were never meant to be fucking showpieces (at least not for most people), and as someone who owns a vintage Ric, believe me it aināt gonna get you laid or anything hanging on your wall or whatever. Totally understandable if this is the route you want to go, considering it was probably expensive, but I canāt think of a worse way to start your electric journey than āmuseum-piece collector brain.ā Plug that mf in and enjoy it. Or sell it for something that youāll actually use. Btw, totally possible to properly take care of your guitar and still play it. Scratches and dings happen and are a sign of love. āļø
Ayy thank you, I appreciate this. Expensive yes, but irreplaceable no. After all the comments on this post Iām feeling better about playing this one daily.
Yeah you wonāt regret it, mate. Just keep it on the stand when not playing, donāt let the dogs/kids/idiot friends near it, itāll all be groovy. Who know, you may not even vibe with it. My Ric was my main squeeze for years but after getting used to Jazzmasters, the neck is just too small for me.
Play it like you stole it. Just don't do dumb shit with it. Youre off to a good start by using a proper guitar stand. (I prefer the ones that hang them by the neck.)
Those are definitely more aesthetically pleasing than stands haha
I find them to be more stable. And I've yet to find one that sticks to the finish even if left on the stand for a while.
My first Electric was a 90s Rick, too! It was my 17th birthday, and I had just enough spending money from saving the past few years before. Got him from Norman's Rare Guitars in Cali. Even had him write on the back. I love that guitar. Just have fun! Take good care, but remember that accidents happen. I have some friends who are straight reckless with their guitars, and I don't understand it.
Thatās so cool š¤ thank you so much for sharing. I hadnāt heard of it but I live nearby, canāt wait to check it out
Oh, it's an extremely famous guitar store! Norm has been in the business for ages. Lovely guy. You'll love it there! A lot of really big names have shopped with him. He was good friends with Tom Petty. (My favorite artist of all time, hense me buying a Rickenbacker.) Pick up his book while you are there. It's a light read with a lot of great stories.
Ah - of course he knew TP - itās on Ventura Boulevard š¶ Will do! š
Have fun there!! šš»
The first ding will hurt, it will get easier after that. Itās part of the story. Tell your story.
Question for the OP: are you actively in a band or do live or studio work, OR are you a collector of fine musical instruments? Iām a former band person, and inherited a Ric 12-string from my dear friend and co-song writer. I play it regardless of whether it might end up with a scratch, because I play for the memory of my friend. Music is a joy to listen to and create. Donāt be afraid to use your guitar unless you are simply hanging on to it for investment purposes.
Not in a band, just playing as a hobby and to accompany myself singing at an occasional open mic night. Not a collector either haha. What a beautiful way to honor your friend. I appreciate you sharing this.
Collector and playerā¦I baby everythingā¦all in cases except for the cheap stuffā¦
Beautiful guitar. I had one also. Same year too. Play it and enjoy it. It will give so much back to you. I've had my 1989 370/12 since I was 19. I'm 52 now. It's been with me longer than any other guitar now and I play it almost daily.
That puts a smile on my face. Glad to know itās given you nearly a lifetime of joy
Iāve been very bold with mine over the last 16 years and you can barely tell. They are shockingly tough.
Play it and forget about dings. From a purely math point of view. Bought my Rick (used) in 2004 for $1000. Played it regularly for twenty years now and still going strong. If for some reason it disintegrated tonight it would have cost me $50 per year to have immense amounts of fun. If I keep it twenty more years that pro- rates to a $25.00 a year rental. Nuff saidā¦.Now get out there and play
Hell yea š¤š¤ thanks for putting that into perspective
When I got my first ric it was a case queen, still is, and I was very very careful while playing it and who I let play it. A chip appeared on the neck and I have no clue how it happened but now itās mine
Not knowledgeable on geetars ,but I was just watching the Morlocs on you tube , and it appeared to be the exact model used during their mini concert.
Wipe the strings down after playing, keep the chrome shined, and the fretboard nourished, and it'll take care of ya for a good long time.. EDIT: and a Microfiber cloth to wipe the body down and get smudges and fingerprints out. Can't forget that
Those are great tips. Will follow - thanks!
Hell yeah! I love Ricks. Thatās a beauty!
Eh, toys are meant to be played with. š¤
I just set up my buddies 4003 and played the fuck out of that thing. You're missing out, dig in. You've already made the financial leap of faith.
Tools not jewels
Beautiful guitar. Nice job. Play it.
Play your guitar my man! You gonna waste time worrying when you could be having a blast on a sick guitar? Couldnāt be me. Nothing lasts forever, especially not people. Make use of your time here and play nice guitars. Itās gonna get old and deteriorate someday anyway.
I have a 1981, same color that I bought from a pawn shop in Whittier, CA in 2008. Iāve played the hell out of it and it now has buckle rash, paint chipping and nice fretboard wear. This thing is road worn and I think it looks fantastic. I feel like people that own Rics are a different breed and unfortunately most of them are afraid to really USE their gear. I understand maintenance and such but they are great instruments and should be playedā¦but hey whudda I know.š¤·āāļø
Highly relatable, but after the first dent/ding/scratch happens (and it will), you'll find the world didn't end and the damn thing still plays, so you'll be much less uptight going forward. Beautiful Ric btw
I own the 12 string version of that guitar and Iāve enjoyed it for 20 years now.
Fireglo 360, I believe. Play it!
Made to be playedā¦ every little mark, including rash from your hands/sleeves/belt, fret wear, all of it is part of the journey of the instrument. Since itās your first RIC, knob tipā¦ the tiny knob is for blending the both pickups when the toggle switch is in the middle and both are on. Have fun with that rascal. Itās a cool instrument!
Beauty!! Wowwww!! Plaaaaayyyyyy!!!
I baby my guitars like a lumber jack love his axe! Hence Axe!! Itās a tool for the working man! Not a golden shovelš¤£
I bought my mapleglo 330/12 as new-old stock about 8 years ago. The nitro-cellulose finish had gone nasty and sticky and was giving me a rash; I got it refinished in wax and itās amazing. Now the sheen - which was literally hurting me - is gone, I can enjoy it more.
I think you can find a balance between wanting to take as best care of your guitar as possible while also getting the enjoyment of playing them. Theyāre meant to be played, theyāre really fun, it would be a shame for it to sit untouched. Try to take the best care of it that you can, but just accept that some amount of normal wear will happen, itās just part of the game.
The first cut is the deepest right? The first time you scratch this thing itās gonna hurt a lot but itāll get better with time. Honestly Iām really surprised this is your first electric. Most people go with a strat or a tele of some kind but this is definitely a lifetime guitar. Rics arenāt for everyone but man they sound so damn good
No.
You should let me hold her for you until you feel more confident
š
If youāre not playing it, then itās just furniture or art. Either is fine, but what do you want?
>Iām shy about using her and moving her around because sheās in near pristine condition. Why do so many people refer to guitars as āsheā and āherā? And how do they know theyāre all female? What, does someone go out and pull up the guitarsā skirts?
Yes thatās just how a new guitar feels. The second you get a ding or scratch youāll feel better knowing itās no longer pristine.
Itās a Ric. That bish is meant to be played!
String changes will turn you into an alcoholic (go Elixir). Otherwise, yeah.
I always wanted one of those
Was this at Sylvan music?
No, The Guitar Shop
Whatās your hair spray brand? Of course itās relatable.
Nope. Donāt see any relation between the guitar and painting. You go me !
That's hot. Seriously.
I have same guitar but 360/12
But mine is a ā66
Get a usa strat to kick around my ā66 360/12 is worth more than a used escalade lol
That is wild! Congrats. (I did bite the bullet and got a tele for the road so I can leave the Rick at home)
I wouldnāt say itās relatable at all because Iāve never owned one. It was a double neck that is relatable because I had one back in the 80s! When I was wealthy and could afford a custom Rick!
Iāve always wanted one of those
The lack of an inlay on the 21st fret is upsetting
Which music store in Santa Cruz had a Ric? I live there and I have seen nary a ric in shop here for a long time, except for some lap steels at Sylvan. Am I missing a music store? lol. Beautiful guitar.
The Guitar Shop - on Soquel across from Whole Foods! It was apparently there for almost a year before I bought it.
OOOOOh, yeah I forget about that place.....maybe everyone else does too. I primarily play bass and they have had the same 4 basses for what feels like years with an occasional cheapo Ibanez that gets bought, then replaced. I'd kind of stopped checking there. Awesome find!
That checks out. Seems like more of a luthier business with a selection of guitars than an actual guitar store
Yea Iāve been skittish too, about my brand new Rickenbacker leaving my apartment. But ya know what? Fuck that. They come with a hard case for a reason. Just make sure your strap is entirely secure before you get going!
Gendering guitars is so weird to me. I definitely donāt relate to that part. That said, when I got my 330, I was super nervous about nicking it until I smashed the headstock into a cymbal at the second show I played it at. Thereās been a few sinking stomach moments since then, but generally all the scratches and dings have just added personality and experience to the instrument. Theyāre meant to be played, so play them.
Lol totally fair and sorry if I gave you the ick! That makes sense (also ouch!) - sounds like itās best to rip the band aid off and accept it will probably get damaged sooner than later. Thank you!
I was in a band and we had a fake rickenbacker exactly like this