Rice Custom Guitars

[Chris Rice]

As we start into our fourth year of building for the public, I'd like to share some of the joy that my father and I get from guitars and the wonderful people who play them. Capturing the joy of an inanimate object in a photograph is an art unto itself, which I am thankful to be improving in.

We've been seriously expanding this past year, developing our new models and expanding the scope as our customers challenge us to new levels. When we started together in '98, it was with a hand router and used necks/hardware/electronics. We now have the capacity to do just about everything in house, maintaining a level of control that we could only dream of in the past.

To start off the thread, here's one that we shipped out today.
It's a 2" deep 5/8 hollow mahogany Custom T Style.
The soundhole is inspired by Juha Ruokangas' Mojo guitars.
Custom Lollar pickups, unique wiring scheme, and a killer vibe.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/112banjoben/112_18.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/112banjoben/112_13.jpg

Thanks for reading!
Chris Rice

[Twin63]

That is a beautiful guitar...outstanding!

[John Mayes]

cool! Explain the "unique wiring". love Mahogany!!!

[Chris Rice]

Thanks guys! I've been getting very good light at my new place, need to drag my background vinyl over here and lose the carpet background.

The neck pickup is split by the mini-switch, adjustable from a true split to a partial split (based on the G&L L-1000 Bass) by a pot mounted inside the control cavity. Plus a few other special twists in the voicing.

[todd richman]

Chris, that is a beautiful guitar. Probably my favorite Rice yet. Best wishes for many more years in the business and hopefully you enjoy each and every one.

[Chris Rice]

Thank you.

New week, new guitar.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Jeremy/104fine5.jpg
This Osprey #104 was built from a (pine) board sent to us from the customer's grandmother's barn.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Jeremy/DSCN4376.jpg
It was sliced to make the 1-piece top and back, the center is gnarly ash (slight spalting/worming/mineral streaks). Birdseye maple and kingwood make up the neck.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Jeremy/104sky3.jpg

This guitar features Fralin pickups and has a similar partial split to the mahogany #033 I posted above. Extra-thick semi-hollow body and dual soundholes. Pigtail bridge and rosewood knobs.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Jeremy/DSCN5292.jpg

[todd richman]

Chris, as a wannabe moderator, I must command you to stop with the Guitar Porn-it is very bad for my G.A.S.!!! Another cool guitar-the Osprey has grown on me since I first saw pics-kinda like a Tele meets Danelectro 56-U2 single cutaway.

[Chris Rice]

We tend to work off of a few types of builds. Custom (ordered by and built for a specific person), House (built for sale on our website), Personal (built for ourselves).

Let's continue with the hollow theme..

#049 was a house build that was grabbed up before completion, turning it into a custom.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Cocobolo/cocofine1.jpg

We had a customer who wanted a 1.75" nut width on a 2-piece birdseye maple neck.
We did two necks and he chose the smaller one. This is the larger one.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Cocobolo/cocofine3.jpg

The other neck was finished in a very orangey/yellow tint, we decided to do this one stark white to contrast the dark piece of Cocobolo on the top.
The binding is flamed maple and the back is alder.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Cocobolo/cocofine4.jpg

The bridge pickup is a Manlius Landmark PAF-style (wound different than standard) paired with an AllParts minihumbucker in the neck (surprisingly great pickup). Volume/Tone/3-way and a series/single-coil/parallel miniswitch.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Cocobolo/cocofine6.jpg

[Red Jumpsuit]

update on the pink cts! ;)

[Chris Rice]

It's sitting, waiting for some time to complete our house builds. Custom orders take precedence and it sometimes takes a long time to bring a house build to fruition. I'll try to shoot a pic later today and post it in one of the RCG sale threads.

[Chris Rice]

No changes on the pink one over what's posted on the RCG forum.

The guitar for this week is #044, which was our first aged guitar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/22guitar3.jpg

It was originally mine, bought by a forum member after he saw me playing it at an outdoor concert. It featured an early set of Don Mare's 2324 Nancy Roy Buchanan pickups, lightweight swamp ash body, Glendale round-bottom saddles, and an extra thick maple neck with no trussrod.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/ChrisBGuard/Bkguard2.jpg

Rich's years of antique furniture restoration came in handy while aging the finish.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/ChrisBGuard/Bkguard8.jpg

[mojocaster.com]

All are gorgeous. I love this thread already :)

[Chris Rice]

We occasionally come upon some old wood that screams to be turned into a guitar.
These tables came from my brothers' boss (an upholsterer). The construction of the body was documented here:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/87089-reclaimed-pine-build-coming-woohoo.html

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/reclaimed/DSCN3529.jpg



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/reclaimed/092_2.jpg

Built with a "recycled" theme, the only parts we purchased for this build were the electronics and tuners. The rest was leftover from other builds that went in different directions (pickguard, neck), used (pickups, saddles), or jst extras we had in the shop.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/reclaimed/092_11.jpg

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3vADHNBGx4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reNwiqam1R8

[trinian1]

You guys do awesome work. I'll be up in Chicago in a couple of weeks, but I don't think I'll have a chance to stop by to see one of these bad boys "in progress," which is too bad. Keep up the good work--hopefully I'll have the opporunity to snag some of it someday.

[Chris Rice]

Thanks trinian. If you have a few hours free while you're in the area, give a call (phone number's on the website). We'd love to have you.

Here's our prototype Tulip guitar. The Tulip is loosely based off of classic Japanese budget guitars, with many improvements. This one has a pair of Seymour Duncan P-90s and a poplar body.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tuliproto%20I/106_6.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tuliproto%20I/106_12.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tuliproto%20I/106_4.jpg

[Kalalau Hiker]

Thanks trinian. If you have a few hours free while you're in the area, give a call (phone number's on the website). We'd love to have you.

Here's our prototype Tulip guitar. The Tulip is loosely based off of classic Japanese budget guitars, with many improvements. This one has a pair of Seymour Duncan P-90s and a poplar body.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tuliproto%20I/106_6.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tuliproto%20I/106_12.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tuliproto%20I/106_4.jpg

NICE
kinda retro cool

have you considered dying the headstock a mauve / light magenta reddish color to tie it in?

I think that'd look very cool

[Chris Rice]

Might be a nice thing to try on another one sometime. There was talk of a matching headstock for this one. We have a few more (three I think?) that are body blanks right now, but I think they're all going natural.

[GTRJohnny]

How do the pine bodied teles sound? Just curious, because this is the first I have heard of pine being used. They look cool on the site...

[Chris Rice]

Pine has a softer response than ash, slightly compressed with a smooth top end. Very cool.
Some videos of the hollow pine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reNwiqam1R8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3vADHNBGx4

This pair of solid pines is nearly ready:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Works%20in%20Progress/1031.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Works%20in%20Progress/1021.jpg

[Chris Rice]

These two are on their way out:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/RCG/pair2.jpg

The CTS has Lollar pickups (Vintage T Custom/Blackface S/minihumbucker).
The CSS has a set of Wolfetone Flashbacks (first I've used Wolfetones).

Both are light ash with maple necks, ebony board on the CTS and Kingwood on the CSS.
Custom switching and great sounds abound with these.
I have videos that I'll be uploading soon.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/121-CB-css/121_10.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/122%20todd/122_9.jpg

[Rich Rice]

We're working on a new website, ETA around a week or so...

Lots of new guitars going on sale when it comes around. This will be the best chance to get a Rice in your hands- lower Holiday pricing, 7 day inspection. We have also been working diligently on the "Tour Osprey", which is coming together nicely. Contact Chris to get in on the list! Stay Tuned!

[Chris Rice]

The new website is up and in action!
http://www.ricecustomguitars.com

Special thanks to Matt Rice and Todd Weidmark for their invaluable help in making it happen.

[mojocaster.com]

I love the new site! And that Tele w/ the dual Bartolinis... can't wait for you to make a video :)

[Chris Rice]

Maybe today...
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/100_7.JPG

[mojocaster.com]

I am curious as to how those mini hums sound in that guitar :)

[Chris Rice]

They're very warm and fairly smooth. Have you ever played Bartolinis? They have a distinctive response.

No time for videos this week, hopefully soon (need to make a bunch of them).

[Chris Rice]

I uploaded nine audio clips today (of seven guitars), including one of #100 with the Bartolinis.
Direct link to the sound clips:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/sounds.html

[johnnyqb]

is it just me, or does the #100 clip not work? Others sounds amazing.

[Chris Rice]

You're correct. Looks like it didn't upload properly, reuploading it now.
You can hear a version here: http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/sounds/RCG_100.mp3
#100 is sold.

[Chris Rice]

RCG #100:
http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/100_12.JPG

Zebrawood top and back, Mahogany core. Semihollow with Douglas-fir and Hickory laminates. Huge 1-piece Indian Rosewood neck. Bartolini 5J pickups, modified for body-mounting.

http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/100_8.JPG

My fiancée did her best to get me to keep this one, hard to resist.

[Chris Rice]

This beauty's heading to New York tomorrow:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg123
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/123_1.JPG

And this one last week:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg103
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/103_1.JPG

I'm really loving this ability to link to an individual guitar's gallery. Thanks again Todd!

[JakeELee]

Sweet... hey you know what would look good on the greyburst? An ash-tray!! What do you think?

[Chris Rice]

That would look cool. I'll suggest it to the owner.

[jdranger]

Hey, That's my grey burst and I'm not a big fan of ash-trays...:). But i will tell ya this is by far the best sounding and most versatile guitar I have. No joke!
I was a bit gun shy in ordering a guitar, I'm the type of person that has to hold it and play it before i buy. That being said, i wanted something very different and i was going to take the custom plunge. I did some research and made my decision to go with Chris and Rich at RCG. Both guys are very nice and bent over backwards to get this done the way i wanted (sorry about the paint Rich). The finished product exceeded my expectations, the guitar looks,feels and sounds fantastic. I would not hesitate ordering from them again and might do so.


James

[JoseyWales]

Rice guitars are the best! I currently own over 50 guitars & the last ones that will be going anywhere are the 6 made by Rich & Chris. They'll have to pry them out of my cold, dead arms! Keep up the fabulous work guys!

[Rich Rice]

This guy left for Tennessee- just visiting. ;)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Tour%20Osprey/DSCN7113.jpg

[Rich Rice]

This guy lives in Virginia now. ;)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/118padauk/118n_2.jpg

[Rich Rice]

I've been spending some quality time with this guy lately..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Greg%20RF/DSCN7136.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Greg%20RF/DSCN7135.jpg

I can't wait to get her singing! Matt Rice (MR Pickups) wound a set of zebra PAF style pickups for it.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Greg%20RF/DSCN7138.jpg

[Rich Rice]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Greg%20RF/DSCN7193.jpg

A little mock-up
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Greg%20RF/DSCN7180.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/Greg%20RF/DSCN7197.jpg

[mojocaster.com]

Wow, great burst!

[elguicho]

I love #100 where did that one end up at?

[Rich Rice]

#100 found a good home in Austin, Texas. Wonderful guitar, very nice customer. A perfect match. :band

[Chris Rice]

Welcome Matt Rice and his RCG Pickups here:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?p=6130419

We had a blast at the Chicago Guitar Show:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/IMG_0253.jpg

I've been uploading new videos and will have 6-7 new guitars on the For Sale page soon, so keep an eye out!
With so many new guitars coming up, I'd like to clear out some of them that have been here a little while.
All reasonable offers on Guitars 033, 097, 102, 108, and 113, and Basses 074 and 086 will be considered.
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?pg=sale

The RCG Main Gallery has been reworked to show the 12 most recent instruments to find a home.
This will keep the main page current and eliminate duplicates between it and the For Sale page.

Last month was a month of aged pastels..

http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg132

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/132_1.JPG

http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg125

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/125_1.JPG

http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg110

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/110_1.JPG

[mojocaster.com]

the shell pink one... does it have a pickup under the pickguard?

[Chris Rice]

Yes, a Seymour Duncan 1/4 lb. strat bridge pickup in the middle position.
Not playable by itself, I wired it as a tone modifier.
The video demonstrates this pretty well.

[mojocaster.com]

Very cool! I'll have to check it out.

[Rich Rice]

the shell pink one... does it have a pickup under the pickguard?
Yes, in the "middle" position.:cool:

[mojocaster.com]

I went and listened to the video explanation as suggested... I shouldn't have. Very, very cool tones!

[Rich Rice]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/S7300065.jpg

[Eddie1]

I have had the pleasure of playing a bunch of Rice guitars over the last few years. The attention to detail and quality of these instruments is something every guitar player should have a chance to see/feel/hear. They have worked their magic on all my current guitars, and I just put in an order for a custom tele for my son. I can't wait to get this guitar in my hands!!

The sunburst guitar in the previous post is really something special, pictures do not do it justice.

:bow:bow

[mojocaster.com]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/S7300065.jpg


Good Lord, that's hot...

[Chris Rice]

TGP member walkerpillow (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/member.php?u=59686) sent me a link to this video of his band, The Prisoners. He plays Rice #118.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8J8qx4jE0

The guitar:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg118

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/118_1.JPG

[Chris Rice]

Two Thinlines, one to Canada, one to the UK.

http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg138
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/138_1.JPG

http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg136
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/136_1.JPG

[mojocaster.com]

Love that "F" hole.

[Chris Rice]

And another thinline, #147:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B82tGLkw-Y4
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg147

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/147_1.JPG

[Chris Rice]

Eight guitars have gone out since my last post:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?pg=gallery

The most recent, #149:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg149

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YfNMzCEgk

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/149_1.JPG

[Chris Rice]

A little lap steel love:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/089_5.JPG

[Chris Rice]

Three out this weekend:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?pg=gallery

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/088_1.JPG
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/129_1.JPG
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/085_1.jpg

Coupla more available:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?pg=sale

Thanks guys!!
Chris

[Rich Rice]

Post Easter Bump.

[Chris Rice]

We finished my Tulip:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg105
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/105_10.JPG

A Bender for Dr. Zzyzyx:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg141
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/141_1.JPG

And Rich is keeping #074 for himself :
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg074
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/074_7.JPG

[Chris Rice]

Well, Rich was keeping #074 until it was snapped up (thank Gary).

#111 (thanks Peter):
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg111
8mIUL37HUTg
Rich, Chris,

Ok, here it goes.

When I gave Brian (since I'm such a good dad) your sunburst strat I went back to my Todd Krause masterbuilt 58 reissue with the Abby Handwounds and my Rory Gallagher strat since I did not have yours any more to enjoy. I was depressed!!!!
I was never happy again with either fender. Thery were too harsh, too brittle, too tight in the neck and so on . So I went back to my trusty 82 Les Paul for a year.

Then came the blue strat!!!!!

Now I am happy again. It is everything like Brian's but more. A bit more bite in the pickups (just a bit but great for me with my pedals) , a perfect fit and action, unlimited bending and resonance
and the real feeling of quality!!!!!

I can not put it down. Even my wife loves to look at the guitar.
You guys are fabulous. There is magic in the guitar!!!!!!

Thank you again and believe me good things are worth waiting for!!!!

All the best,
Pete
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/111_1.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg111)

#033 (thanks Gary):
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg033
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/033_1.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg033)

We also had a neat partsostrat (USACG) find a home (Thanks Andy):
Hey Guys,
Just wanted to let you know the results of my extended review period of my Rice partscaster....AMAZING!!!

I recently purchased a guitar custom built for another customer with some unusual specifications...many of which were appealing to me. The neck on this guitar was just outrageously large and just unwieldy for my average size hands (and tiny thumbs....sometimes we are tortured at birth :)). Rich Rice offered to reshape the neck to my liking and boy did he ever!!!! This was not some run of the mill machine shop build to a number sort of job. This was a shape it till it felt perfect kind of job. I've played this guitar non-stop for two plus weeks (I took it on vacation with me much to the chagrin of my wife :)) and I'm just in love with it. The guys at Rice Guitars spent hours working with me and getting things right (not just right...perfect). I can not recommend these guys any stronger....I have had really amazing direct experiences with a handful of amazing builders (Nick at Rocketfire, Ben Fargen, Andy Fuchs, to name a few), and Rich and Chris are right there with the top of the heap!!!

Thanks again guys for making my guitar great and I'll be watching your site for a future build to steal from someone else :).

Cheers,
Andy
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/JC%20partsostrat/jcs1.jpg (http://ricecustomguitars.com/index2.html)

[Chris Rice]

Click the pictures for specs, photos, and videos.

RCG154
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/154_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg154)

RCG155
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/155_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg155)

RCG156
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/156_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg156)

[Chris Rice]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/RCG/IMG_0009.jpg (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?pg=gallery)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/RCG/IMG_0011.jpg (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?pg=gallery)

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/161_9.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg161)
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/161_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg161)

[johnnyqb]

those are really beautiful guitars.

[buyyerown]

a psychedelic finish on an osprey would be insane. mannnn i dig that body style & headstock.

[mojocaster.com]

Wow, those last two are stunning!

[Chris Rice]

Some sweet poplar:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/160_11.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg160)

And an older Rice redone:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/014_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg014)

[Southern ILL]

Lovely guitars as is the norm up there.

[Chris Rice]

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/166_8.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg166)

[Chris Rice]

The latest batch, click the pics for specs, pics, and videos:

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/165_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg165)
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/167_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg167)
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/168_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg168)

[Crowder]

Just got this Rice strat-style from a fellow forumite, thought I'd post a few comments:

http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/index2.html

First comment: what a looker! This is an Alder strat with a big neck and Lollar Blondes. It has a more vintage vibe than many of the guitars posted in this thread, which is what I was after. The three-tone sunburst body is perfectly done, with a rich patina and nice shading. The neck has a vintage tint that matches the vibe of the body.

Strats can be frustrating to me, as they're so adjustable, and minor tweaks in action, trem setup, pickup height, etc. can make a huge difference. The first thing I noticed about this guitar was that all of that stuff was RIGHT. The pickups are set low in the guard, with the bridge a little higher, and the balance between all 5 positions is perfect. I am lucky if I can use 2 of the 5 positions on the typical strat, but when I play this one I find myself working the switch a lot and finding great tones everywhere.

The neck looks and feels worn in but not abused. It's a full inch deep, but it's sort of narrow and there isn't much shoulder. Very comfortable for me. Comparable to a Warmoth Boatneck. The fret work is great, and bends are a blast. It's strung with lighter strings than I use, so I'm having fun overbending and doing a somewhat sad impression of Jeff Beck. The Callaham trem is set tight enough not to give too much on bends but still useable. Tuning stability is good.

The only thing I don't like is that the E strings are too close to the edge of the fingerboard from about the 9th fret on up. I keep pulling or pushing them off the edge. I plan to fix this by switching to a Callaham Vintage Narrow bridge setup. It would have been nice if it had come from the shop with the Narrow bridge, since they cost the same, and the strings are really way too close to the edge of the board (they're fine at the nut).

Besides that little issue, I couldn't be more impressed with this guitar, and not just "for the money." If this was a Custom Shop strat that cost twice or three times as much, I'd be just as pleased with my purchase. Really nice!

[Chris Rice]

Just got this Rice strat-style from a fellow forumite, thought I'd post a few comments:

http://www.ricecustomguitars.com/index2.html

First comment: what a looker! This is an Alder strat with a big neck and Lollar Blondes. It has a more vintage vibe than many of the guitars posted in this thread, which is what I was after. The three-tone sunburst body is perfectly done, with a rich patina and nice shading. The neck has a vintage tint that matches the vibe of the body.

Strats can be frustrating to me, as they're so adjustable, and minor tweaks in action, trem setup, pickup height, etc. can make a huge difference. The first thing I noticed about this guitar was that all of that stuff was RIGHT. The pickups are set low in the guard, with the bridge a little higher, and the balance between all 5 positions is perfect. I am lucky if I can use 2 of the 5 positions on the typical strat, but when I play this one I find myself working the switch a lot and finding great tones everywhere.

The neck looks and feels worn in but not abused. It's a full inch deep, but it's sort of narrow and there isn't much shoulder. Very comfortable for me. Comparable to a Warmoth Boatneck. The fret work is great, and bends are a blast. It's strung with lighter strings than I use, so I'm having fun overbending and doing a somewhat sad impression of Jeff Beck. The Callaham trem is set tight enough not to give too much on bends but still useable. Tuning stability is good.

The only thing I don't like is that the E strings are too close to the edge of the fingerboard from about the 9th fret on up. I keep pulling or pushing them off the edge. I plan to fix this by switching to a Callaham Vintage Narrow bridge setup. It would have been nice if it had come from the shop with the Narrow bridge, since they cost the same, and the strings are really way too close to the edge of the board (they're fine at the nut).

Besides that little issue, I couldn't be more impressed with this guitar, and not just "for the money." If this was a Custom Shop strat that cost twice or three times as much, I'd be just as pleased with my purchase. Really nice!
Hi Crowder, thanks for the comments!
Your link is to the main webpage, but I think you have #067:
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg067

At the time this guitar was built, I don't think Callaham was offering the bridge in narrow spacing, and the original client wanted the wider spacing bridge for vintage accuracy. I prefer a tighter spacing myself, which is why we use the narrower Gotoh and Wilkinson bridges much more often.

Play her well!
Chris

[Rich Rice]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/S7301253.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/158%20poplar%20bender%20carved/S7301229.jpg

gonna be way cool! :dude

[Chris Rice]

#157 went out a couple weeks ago.
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg157

http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/157_2.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg157)

[mojocaster.com]

#157 is quite the beauty...

[OldSchool]

I don't think I've ever seen two Rice guitars that looked alike. Do customers give you pre build ideas or do you just strive to come up with new Ideas everytime? Very unique and incredible guitars for sure!

[Rich Rice]

Thanks! It kind of works both ways- if somebody wants something in particular, we try to develop the customers ideas into a viable instrument. Sometimes they know precisely what they want, often they have certain ideas that are critical to them, and we help them decide on the remaining details. Other times, we just like to build things we would want, and be proud to own and play. A couple of times people have commissioned us to build them a dream guitar entirely to our specs, and didn't want to know anything (shape, color, style- nothing) until it arrived at their door. Surprisingly, both times the guitars we spec'ed out became their favorites.

I love to do different things, and really appreciate when I'm given some space to develop a guitar to be all I can make it. Luckily, Chris comes up with tons of ideas for new builds, and he always gets them playing/sounding their best.

A.D.D. and O.C.D. runs in the family, and we need to keep coming up with new stuff to keep from becoming complacent... I love a challenge!

[OldSchool]

Awesome! Thanks for the reply! Thanks for sharing your approach and I think its working for you! I'm seeing a Billy Gibbons Type Esquire in my near distant future......I may have to Tap your imagination to make it unique. http://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon12.gifhttp://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Rich Rice]

Awesome! Thanks for the reply! Thanks for sharing your approach and I think its working for you! I'm seeing a Billy Gibbons Type Esquire in my near distant future......I may have to Tap your imagination to make it unique. http://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon12.gifhttp://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon14.gif

Sounds great! Give me a call sometime, and I'll be happy to work out something that will be personalized and inspiring. Chris has recently developed an incredible pickup that would kill in an E style. :cool:

Rich
(847)361-0968

[psyandy]

Is that Blue Jean Finished T style still around ????? Amazing and would look great with my Rice Built S style partscaster!!!!


Keep it up boys!!!

[Chris Rice]

There were three, all gone.
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg019
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg034
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg037
Which is the one you like? I could probably talk Rich into a fourth. ;)

[psyandy]

It was actually #165....that finish was incredible!!!

[Rich Rice]

It was actually #165....that finish was incredible!!!

Thanks! It was a custom build for a gentleman in Florida. I made the dyes to be reminiscent of the Atlantic Ocean, boatwake figured maple top over swamp ash. He loves the water and guitars, so we went with real abalone shell inlays. It's a killer in every way. ;)

I have one more top like that one left. So far nobody knows about it, it is still raw- thicknessed only. It can go any color or body style at this stage.

[Lacking Talent]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/158%20poplar%20bender%20carved/S7301229.jpg

gonna be way cool! :dude

That German carve looks great!

[Rich Rice]

I'm liking the German carve too. ;) It feels really comfortable when holding the body, and gives the guitar a little different vibe. I can't wait to get the benders done, it has been a while since we did benders. I have a second one rolling too.. ;) No German carve, but a triple bound top with a spectacular burst over curly maple..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/159%20maple%20poplar%20bender/S7301282.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/159%20maple%20poplar%20bender/S7301281.jpg

[Chris Rice]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=878792
http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg162
http://ricecustomguitars.com/instruments/images/162_12.JPG (http://ricecustomguitars.com/mid.html?rcg162)

My camera ran out of memory just as I was getting into it!
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