I just saw a commercial that advertised The Dead on Letterman tonight, checked his web site and it confirms it. Thought some of you folks just might be interested.
 
OO

Thanks for the head's up, Olie.  Just watched it.  They sure got the bum's rush - no interview, just playing Sugar Mag right at the end, and they didn't even get to do Sunshine Daydream.  And I swear Bobby is really getting to look like that old Commander in the Schweppes commercials!
 
Bill, tgo

http://www.cbs.com/late_show/live_on_letterman/video.php?cid=446418039&pid=jQFYqFPNYpVW12X5Kqz_I_UCUqHGWEC7&show=all&offset=0&play=true

The bum's rush is right.  Definitely not the featured guest.  I've been ignoring Phil's new Ritter as best I can so far, but the video forced me to face it -- I can appreciate Ritters as works of art -- but they don't look very good hanging on us old guys (Sorry, Phil).  I still like them live, but video is not very flattering to them.

Those Ritter's do have a certain Comic Book influence to them, like out of a Roger Rabbit  movie maybe.  
 
OO

To me they look straight out of a Dr. Suess book:
 
It was a rainy day,
I couldn't go out and race,
So I stayed inside,
and played my new bass,
I would not play it in a box,
I would not play it with a fox
I would not play it on a bed,
I'll only play it with the Dead
 
Bill, tgo

LOL Bill. You missed your calling brother!
 

Hey Bill grab your Guitar and write down some chord changes to go with that little rhyme , may be it's time to write some tunes !  
  Wolf ___

To me Ritter's design influences are pure Dali, not comic - but then Dali was the godfather of surrealism and informed Suess and many other creative people.

Here's a Dali-esque design:
 

 
Bill, tgo

Then there's Brian Eastwood's Bender series, the Collision Bass, Jellycaster and Distortocaster (IIRC, the Distorto was originally the Splattercaster but, ahem, somebody else uses that name for a paint scheme on an iconic design that shall go unnamed, so....)
They're supposedly quite comfortable to both wear & play.  Not exactly original designs, but more in keeping with the spirit of Salvadore IMO.
 
Peter

I agree Bill , Dali!

I may need to clarify what I meant by 'Comic Book' influence. Exagerated lines and curves, extended horns and glowing colorful finishes, just like you see in comic books. To be honest I like the way they look of course I've never been a, follow the pack kind of guy either.
I can only think of one reason I wouldn't buy one. Bolt on neck, I am sold on neck thru for life.
 
OO

Cool video!  Thanks Olie!  And thanks for the link Jimmy!