Check out our newest website for Fender lovers -- TalkFender.com

TheViking · February 9th, 2007, 07:26 PM

I know you all are familiar with the works of Rice Custom Guitars. If you’re not you should take a trip to http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/ and check it out.
Some months ago I started a dialogue with Rich on building me a Thinline. I wanted something special and versatile and this is what Rich and Chris came up with,

Neck: Maple neck with dark rosewood fretboard, 21 jumbo frets. Medium V carve. 7.25-9.5” compound radius. 1 5/8” nut width.
Body: Lyptus tob/back, alder center. Flame maple binding front and back.
Bridge: Wilkinson chromed stamped steel with swivel-compensated brass.
Pickups: OC Duff 60's set.
Controls: Volume, stacked treble/bass. 3-way pickup selector. 3-way voicing switch. Series/normal switch.

If you have not done business with them, I would encourage you to do so. It is an extremely sweet and enjoyable experience. Both Rich and Chris are packed with knowledge and good advice, they are both skilled in their line of work and are really nice guys as well
I think the pictures speaks for themselves, I can’t wait to get my Viking paws on this one.

Pete Galati · February 9th, 2007, 07:34 PM

Looks great. I was talking to Rich on the phone about the used neck I got from them while they were working on your guitar. I only delayed this guitar a couple hours. That I know of.

Pete

Jeffscreamedcorn · February 9th, 2007, 07:36 PM

That's a USA Custom neck, right? They are great! I have one on my blackguard partscaster. The 7-9 radius is perfect.

Gorgeous guitar - enjoy it in good health...

celeste · February 9th, 2007, 07:39 PM

I love that colour.

TheViking · February 9th, 2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celeste

I love that colour.

So do I, Rich did an awsome job on that one.

John_ · February 9th, 2007, 09:50 PM

Absolutly beautiful! I bet you can't wait to play it.

namida · February 10th, 2007, 01:32 AM

Wow, a concentric knob. Reminds me of Zappa's Perfomance Custom Strat-type guitar. Must be a lot of extreme tone shaping up ahead. I hope you could post audio clips for that guitar in the future. Looks like its gonna be a real workhorse, lovely

daviddoubleu · February 10th, 2007, 04:01 AM

That's one of the nicest tone monsters I've seen. Congrats to Rich on another fine bulid.

PieterPan · February 10th, 2007, 06:58 AM

That's one of the most feature-laden tele's i have even seen. 5 types of wood, 3 switches, looks killer though! Smart move to put the volume control in a position suitable for volume swells.

mojocasterman · February 10th, 2007, 09:55 AM

what a beauty. another Rice Custom I wish was mine

Big Tony · February 10th, 2007, 10:02 AM

Congratulations, fellow viking!

That's a beautiful Telecaster. I hope you will have a long and happy life together!

/ Tony

fenderix · February 10th, 2007, 11:03 AM

What a nice looking Telly! With that much of tone shaping capabilities and the OC Duff 60s P/Us, I bet it'll sound wonderful too.
Congratulations on the purchase, TheViking!

zombywoof · February 10th, 2007, 11:16 AM

WOW!!!!! What a beauty. Rich's ability come up with drop dead gorgeous finishes and Chris' electronics wizardry still amaze me. Of my four electrics, my Rice Custom is the only one that is safe from a trade or sale. The only problem with a Rice is that they are so hard to put down once you get it in your hands.

Again, congrats - a truly nice geetar made by a pair of guys whose love for the instruments really shows.

mojocasterman · February 10th, 2007, 11:24 AM

BTW, I am a huge fan of OC Duff pickups... that's a nice add-on to this already stunning guitar!

TheViking · February 10th, 2007, 03:48 PM

What I need to add here is that it has been a really great experience following the process step by step: Both Rich and Chris have been updating me on the progress as well as different options and possibilities. Rich has sent me pictures for every step of the process and given me updates on everything.

getbent · February 10th, 2007, 04:10 PM

What a beauty....

Wallace Stevens approved!

"The man bent over his guitar,
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.

They said, "You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are."

The man replied, "Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar."

And they said then, "But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,

A tune upon the blue guitar
Of things exactly as they are."

jussishow · February 10th, 2007, 04:28 PM

Nice ! That colour & binding combination looks excellent !!!

BTW : Earlier today I met a friend whom I haven't seen in a couple of years ... He was going to order a custombuilt guitar from Poland (from : here) ...
And now You ... And the white 'protobender' on the 'Instruments For Sale' page at ricecustomguitars is ... well ... it's for sale !! :-)

Is someone trying to tell me something/talk me into something ?

/J

mojocasterman · February 10th, 2007, 05:04 PM

Yes! I think we're all trying to tell ya to buy the darn thing, already. I mean, you know you want to

Wild Rice Chris · February 12th, 2007, 11:13 AM

Although the switching and knobs look intimidating, there isn't anything way out of the ordinary going on.

The voicing switch is pretty cool. Down is standard, nothing unusual. Click it to the center, and you have the Esquire lead tone (removes the tone control for a brighter sound), except it is on any/all pickup combinations instead of just the bridge pickup. Click it up, and it is the Jazzmaster rhythm circuit (darker sound), except available on any/all pickup combinations.

The other mini-switch bypasses the pickup selector and puts both pickups in series.

The volume and treble (tone) are standard. The bass pot (upper concentric) gives a subtle slimming effect, perfect for cleaning up a flubby bass in boomy rooms.

Weighs 6 1/2 pounds.

mojocasterman · February 12th, 2007, 11:16 AM

that's pretty darn cool!

neocaster · February 12th, 2007, 11:18 AM

Simple and versatile controls. Those are two of my favorite things about a Telecaster. I think there's a point of dimishing returns, when more versatility costs too much complexity. This is nowhere near that point, though. (in my opinion)

Wild Rice Chris · February 12th, 2007, 11:22 AM

That was the idea. Have something that can give you more versatility without destroying the simplicity. I hate having a guitar that is one switch flip away from disaster.

This was one of the toughest wiring jobs I've done in a long time. Here's my access hole:

The mini-switches are under that lip. I had to wire the whole thing outside of the guitar and then slip it into place.

neocaster · February 12th, 2007, 11:25 AM

Chris,
Did you have to leave long leads on the switches/pots to make all of your connections a few inches away from where they are mounted? I'm not sure how else you could have done it...

Wild Rice Chris · February 12th, 2007, 11:49 AM

No. First we layed out the controls and drilled the holes. Then, I wired it as an assembly, measuring the distance between holes to get the lead lengths right. Slip it in and wire in the jack. I'll try to get pic of the electronics before it gets boxed up.

neocaster · February 12th, 2007, 11:56 AM

So the only connections that had to be made after they were installed were the leads coming to/from the assembly, I get it. Still some mean close-work. I'd love to see pics of that.

Santah · February 12th, 2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Rice Chris

The voicing switch is pretty cool. Down is standard, nothing unusual. Click it to the center, and you have the Esquire lead tone (removes the tone control for a brighter sound), except it is on any/all pickup combinations instead of just the bridge pickup. Click it up, and it is the Jazzmaster rhythm circuit (darker sound), except available on any/all pickup combinations.

That sounds really cool, I would love to have that on my tele.

Wild Rice Chris · February 12th, 2007, 12:36 PM

Rich Rice · November 30th, 2007, 07:10 AM

Now that you've had it for a while, are you two getting along? Any clips? Hope all is well with you!

February 9th, 2007, 07:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheViking Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Norway Age: 40 Posts: 690	Rice Custom heading for Norway I know you all are familiar with the works of Rice Custom Guitars. If you’re not you should take a trip to http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/ and check it out. Some months ago I started a dialogue with Rich on building me a Thinline. I wanted something special and versatile and this is what Rich and Chris came up with, Neck: Maple neck with dark rosewood fretboard, 21 jumbo frets. Medium V carve. 7.25-9.5” compound radius. 1 5/8” nut width. Body: Lyptus tob/back, alder center. Flame maple binding front and back. Bridge: Wilkinson chromed stamped steel with swivel-compensated brass. Pickups: OC Duff 60's set. Controls: Volume, stacked treble/bass. 3-way pickup selector. 3-way voicing switch. Series/normal switch. If you have not done business with them, I would encourage you to do so. It is an extremely sweet and enjoyable experience. Both Rich and Chris are packed with knowledge and good advice, they are both skilled in their line of work and are really nice guys as well I think the pictures speaks for themselves, I can’t wait to get my Viking paws on this one. __________________ Teles & Tube Amps, the essence of life

February 10th, 2007, 01:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
namida Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philippines Age: 30 Posts: 172	Wow, a concentric knob. Reminds me of Zappa's Perfomance Custom Strat-type guitar. Must be a lot of extreme tone shaping up ahead. I hope you could post audio clips for that guitar in the future. Looks like its gonna be a real workhorse, lovely __________________ "Have a marshall there and lets see what happens..." --George Lynch

February 10th, 2007, 09:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
mojocasterman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,670	what a beauty. another Rice Custom I wish was mine __________________ Scott Lentz T - Crook Custom T - Tom Anderson Crowdster - Tom Anderson Atom - Thorn Jr 90 Koa - SRV Strat - Ovation Elite T - Swart AST - Carr Mercury - Fender Tweed Blues Junior. Follow me on Twitter! @MojoCaster

February 10th, 2007, 10:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
Big Tony Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sweden, by golly! Age: 57 Posts: 3,537 32 Photos	Congratulations, fellow viking! That's a beautiful Telecaster. I hope you will have a long and happy life together! / Tony __________________ {8^)>

February 10th, 2007, 11:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
zombywoof Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Back in the Heartland Posts: 3,361 17 Photos	WOW!!!!! What a beauty. Rich's ability come up with drop dead gorgeous finishes and Chris' electronics wizardry still amaze me. Of my four electrics, my Rice Custom is the only one that is safe from a trade or sale. The only problem with a Rice is that they are so hard to put down once you get it in your hands. Again, congrats - a truly nice geetar made by a pair of guys whose love for the instruments really shows. __________________ "I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks." John Lee Hooker

Sponsored Ads	#
Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Age: Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

February 9th, 2007, 07:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pete Galati R.I.P. Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,103 2 Photos	Looks great. I was talking to Rich on the phone about the used neck I got from them while they were working on your guitar. I only delayed this guitar a couple hours. That I know of. Pete

February 9th, 2007, 07:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jeffscreamedcorn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: beantown Age: 55 Posts: 830	That's a USA Custom neck, right? They are great! I have one on my blackguard partscaster. The 7-9 radius is perfect. Gorgeous guitar - enjoy it in good health...

February 9th, 2007, 07:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
celeste Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 50 Posts: 2,655 24 Photos	I love that colour.

February 9th, 2007, 09:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
John_ TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: LVNV Posts: 48 9 Photos	Absolutly beautiful! I bet you can't wait to play it.

February 10th, 2007, 04:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
daviddoubleu Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Posts: 590 7 Photos	That's one of the nicest tone monsters I've seen. Congrats to Rich on another fine bulid.

February 10th, 2007, 06:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
PieterPan TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 3	That's one of the most feature-laden tele's i have even seen. 5 types of wood, 3 switches, looks killer though! Smart move to put the volume control in a position suitable for volume swells.

February 10th, 2007, 11:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
fenderix Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Europe Posts: 4,827	What a nice looking Telly! With that much of tone shaping capabilities and the OC Duff 60s P/Us, I bet it'll sound wonderful too. Congratulations on the purchase, TheViking!

February 10th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
mojocasterman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,670	BTW, I am a huge fan of OC Duff pickups... that's a nice add-on to this already stunning guitar! __________________ Scott Lentz T - Crook Custom T - Tom Anderson Crowdster - Tom Anderson Atom - Thorn Jr 90 Koa - SRV Strat - Ovation Elite T - Swart AST - Carr Mercury - Fender Tweed Blues Junior. Follow me on Twitter! @MojoCaster

February 10th, 2007, 03:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
TheViking Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Norway Age: 40 Posts: 690	What I need to add here is that it has been a really great experience following the process step by step: Both Rich and Chris have been updating me on the progress as well as different options and possibilities. Rich has sent me pictures for every step of the process and given me updates on everything. __________________ Teles & Tube Amps, the essence of life

February 10th, 2007, 04:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
getbent Super Moderator Telefied Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 22,047 37 Photos	What a beauty.... Wallace Stevens approved! "The man bent over his guitar, A shearsman of sorts. The day was green. They said, "You have a blue guitar, You do not play things as they are." The man replied, "Things as they are Are changed upon the blue guitar." And they said then, "But play, you must, A tune beyond us, yet ourselves, A tune upon the blue guitar Of things exactly as they are." __________________ “It has more to do with irrational anti-hipster bias then anything else.”

February 10th, 2007, 04:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
jussishow Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Norway. Age: 40 Posts: 534 16 Photos	Nice ! That colour & binding combination looks excellent !!! BTW : Earlier today I met a friend whom I haven't seen in a couple of years ... He was going to order a custombuilt guitar from Poland (from : here) ... And now You ... And the white 'protobender' on the 'Instruments For Sale' page at ricecustomguitars is ... well ... it's for sale !! :-) Is someone trying to tell me something/talk me into something ? /J __________________ B-bender, HW1 Texas & CS Thinline relic ... :-) + a bunch of other stringed instruments ... Pictures (family album...) in gallery

February 10th, 2007, 05:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
mojocasterman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,670	Yes! I think we're all trying to tell ya to buy the darn thing, already. I mean, you know you want to __________________ Scott Lentz T - Crook Custom T - Tom Anderson Crowdster - Tom Anderson Atom - Thorn Jr 90 Koa - SRV Strat - Ovation Elite T - Swart AST - Carr Mercury - Fender Tweed Blues Junior. Follow me on Twitter! @MojoCaster

February 12th, 2007, 11:13 AM	#19 (permalink)
Wild Rice Chris Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rice Custom Dungeon Posts: 3,456 27 Photos	Although the switching and knobs look intimidating, there isn't anything way out of the ordinary going on. The voicing switch is pretty cool. Down is standard, nothing unusual. Click it to the center, and you have the Esquire lead tone (removes the tone control for a brighter sound), except it is on any/all pickup combinations instead of just the bridge pickup. Click it up, and it is the Jazzmaster rhythm circuit (darker sound), except available on any/all pickup combinations. The other mini-switch bypasses the pickup selector and puts both pickups in series. The volume and treble (tone) are standard. The bass pot (upper concentric) gives a subtle slimming effect, perfect for cleaning up a flubby bass in boomy rooms. Weighs 6 1/2 pounds. __________________ Hello, My Name Is Chris Rice "The children need to learn how to build their own environment and make their own music that is inspired by their roots."--Eugene Hütz

February 12th, 2007, 11:16 AM	#20 (permalink)
mojocasterman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,670	that's pretty darn cool! __________________ Scott Lentz T - Crook Custom T - Tom Anderson Crowdster - Tom Anderson Atom - Thorn Jr 90 Koa - SRV Strat - Ovation Elite T - Swart AST - Carr Mercury - Fender Tweed Blues Junior. Follow me on Twitter! @MojoCaster

February 12th, 2007, 11:18 AM	#21 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 39 Posts: 4,983 11 Photos	Simple and versatile controls. Those are two of my favorite things about a Telecaster. I think there's a point of dimishing returns, when more versatility costs too much complexity. This is nowhere near that point, though. (in my opinion)

February 12th, 2007, 11:22 AM	#22 (permalink)
Wild Rice Chris Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rice Custom Dungeon Posts: 3,456 27 Photos	That was the idea. Have something that can give you more versatility without destroying the simplicity. I hate having a guitar that is one switch flip away from disaster. This was one of the toughest wiring jobs I've done in a long time. Here's my access hole: The mini-switches are under that lip. I had to wire the whole thing outside of the guitar and then slip it into place. __________________ Hello, My Name Is Chris Rice "The children need to learn how to build their own environment and make their own music that is inspired by their roots."--Eugene Hütz

February 12th, 2007, 11:25 AM	#23 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 39 Posts: 4,983 11 Photos	Chris, Did you have to leave long leads on the switches/pots to make all of your connections a few inches away from where they are mounted? I'm not sure how else you could have done it...

February 12th, 2007, 11:49 AM	#24 (permalink)
Wild Rice Chris Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rice Custom Dungeon Posts: 3,456 27 Photos	No. First we layed out the controls and drilled the holes. Then, I wired it as an assembly, measuring the distance between holes to get the lead lengths right. Slip it in and wire in the jack. I'll try to get pic of the electronics before it gets boxed up. __________________ Hello, My Name Is Chris Rice "The children need to learn how to build their own environment and make their own music that is inspired by their roots."--Eugene Hütz

February 12th, 2007, 11:56 AM	#25 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 39 Posts: 4,983 11 Photos	So the only connections that had to be made after they were installed were the leads coming to/from the assembly, I get it. Still some mean close-work. I'd love to see pics of that.

Check out our newest website for Fender lovers -- TalkFender.com

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.

February 12th, 2007, 12:36 PM	#27 (permalink)
Wild Rice Chris Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rice Custom Dungeon Posts: 3,456 27 Photos	__________________ Hello, My Name Is Chris Rice "The children need to learn how to build their own environment and make their own music that is inspired by their roots."--Eugene Hütz Last edited by Wild Rice Chris; February 12th, 2007 at 11:41 PM.

November 30th, 2007, 07:10 AM	#28 (permalink)
Rich Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In a dream world.. Just ask my wife. Age: 57 Posts: 3,004 11 Photos	So what do you think, Mister Viking? Now that you've had it for a while, are you two getting along? Any clips? Hope all is well with you! __________________ If you are driven to play, you will find a way.