1991 Rickenbacker 330 Paul Weller Tribute "XITS"
I recently stumbled upon this really well worn 1991 Rickenbacker 330 in JetGlo online, and began obsessing about it. A few years back, a kind bloke in England sent me a set of custom stickers patterned after those that Paul Weller used on his Rickenbackers back in the day. I had hoped to come on to a mid-late 70's Fireglo or Jetglo model--like some of Weller's--to outfit with the stickers, but 70's (non-twelve string, non-480 models, that is) Rics are proving to be as rare as hen's teeth to find. Thus, this beat-up '91 really started to appeal. Incidentally, Rickenbacker owners typically take great care of their guitars, so well-worn Rics are also hard to find...
I eventually gave in and purchased the guitar from a pawn shop chain in NYC. It came via Regular U.S. Mail, sans case, and it looked even better than the pics in the listing--lots of honest wear (i.e., fabulous faded black patina; various nicks, scratches, bruises, and rub spots, all eventually "stopped in place" by what appears to be a thin overcoat of clear lacquer, probably done by the guy who left the message under the small white pickguard), the kind custom shops like Gretsch and Fender strive so hard to reproduce for hefty prices. Here's the thing... Even after all the abuse, this guitar just so happens to have the best string action of any guitar I own (.03 at the 12th fret, both sides). It smells of cigarettes and alcohol, several thousand hours of sweaty play, and even has a rock & roll vulgarity written in sharpie on the back side of the upper guard. Now that it's enhanced with Weller stickers (c.a. 1978-1979) and optional black TRC and guard set, it has some serious, masculine, mod attitude. Maybe one day I'll manage to have Weller sign it... Until then, it's available for $4999
I eventually gave in and purchased the guitar from a pawn shop chain in NYC. It came via Regular U.S. Mail, sans case, and it looked even better than the pics in the listing--lots of honest wear (i.e., fabulous faded black patina; various nicks, scratches, bruises, and rub spots, all eventually "stopped in place" by what appears to be a thin overcoat of clear lacquer, probably done by the guy who left the message under the small white pickguard), the kind custom shops like Gretsch and Fender strive so hard to reproduce for hefty prices. Here's the thing... Even after all the abuse, this guitar just so happens to have the best string action of any guitar I own (.03 at the 12th fret, both sides). It smells of cigarettes and alcohol, several thousand hours of sweaty play, and even has a rock & roll vulgarity written in sharpie on the back side of the upper guard. Now that it's enhanced with Weller stickers (c.a. 1978-1979) and optional black TRC and guard set, it has some serious, masculine, mod attitude. Maybe one day I'll manage to have Weller sign it... Until then, it's available for $4999
