381/12 IN MINK FINISH WITH DELUXE FEATURES

The 381 was first introduced to the Rickenbacker lineup in 1969, and reintroduced twenty-five or so years ago. Because it is, in a sense, an historic reissue, with homage paid to Roger Rossmeisl’s trademark “German” carve, it is a “no holds barred” reinterpretation. In addition to a very deep and bold “German carve” perimeter, it features double binding, “checkerboard” purfling, both on top and back, and premium “toaster” single coil pickups. The 381 is the most expensive guitar in the Rickenbacker catalog, and the twelve-string version is even more pricey than its six-string brother.

This project was a request from Los Angeles musician Vitus Mataré, who has owned this particular example since new, and since it was beginning to show some clearcoat separation despite very careful treatment. Vitus wanted to modify it so it would stand out from other 381s. He was enthralled with other projects on this website that were finished in our special “Mink” burst color, and he requested this deluxe six-color burst.

Here’s how a “Mink” finish is accomplished:

Over a light amber tinted base, a Lilac center color is sprayed. This fades into a Deep Orange, and from there into Fireglo red, deep Magenta. and finally a deep Chocolate Brown tangent to the checkerboard purfling.

Checkerboard purfling was added to the headstock, and the original Kluson-Classic-style RIC tuners (which are really not up to snuff on a premium guitar!) were replaced by ultra-premium Grover die-cast “Waffle-Back” tuners.

The fretboard was fitted with late-1960s style full-width crushed mother-of-pearl fret position markers, and the neck was re-bound in original white celluloid.

Wiring modifications were also undertaken. Instead of the seldom-used RIC-O-SOUND stereo wiring, the harness was modified for monaural output, and a Schaller “Oyster” dual-element piezo element was installed, with its preamp jack exiting through the former RIC-O-Sound output on the jackplate.

Though the 381 is far from a “run of the mill” guitar, these modifications really kick it up a big notch!