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360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:02 am
by Jeff Stone
Hi all,

Looking for assistance in interpreting the serial # of my 360F. I am new to this site but not new to guitars. I have been a bass player for 45 years and recently became the keeper of my Dad's 6 string hollow bodied Ric. I recently moved into a new house and have been getting my guitars settled into their new environment when I again took notice of the old Rickenbacker. My Dad bought in new in Sacramento when I was a baby and it was always around the house. I played it a little as a kid but gravitated to the old bass he also had. I've always been intrigued by this guitar, as it was unlike any Rickenbacker I had ever seen. Some distinguishing characteristics of this guitar include:

-maple hollow body, with a "soft" single cutaway design
-2 3/8" thick body with flat front and back (not arched)
-A set neck that is of a slim and narrow profile with substantial radius on the rosewood finger board
-Triangle fret markers
-one cat's eye "slash" sound hole on bass side of body
-2 vintage "toaster" p/u's
-4 knobs and 1 switch mounted on the gold, stepped pick guard
-Chromed trapeze tail piece
-Creme checkerboard Binding on front of body and solid creme binding on neck and back of body.

After reviewing this site and the factory's I have determined the guitar is a 360F in a natural finish. Unfortunately, my Dad did NOT purchase a case for this guitar but I am happy to report that it has been well cared for and is in excellent, 100% original condition. The finish on the body and neck are excellent with no worn spots. The color of the maple has faded just a little over the years but everything is solid, stable and sound! Years ago I came across the original receipt from when my Dad purchased it. Not sure where that is at present but he recalls the price may have been about $300.

The serial number is stamped on the chromed jack plate and the digits appear to be hand stamped as they are not perfectly aligned. The serial # is 2T033. All the digits are at the bottom of the plate with none at the top. Can the Ric experts please help me identify the build date and confirm the model of this treasure? Much appreciated and happy playing to all!

Jeff

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:20 am
by egosheep
From checking the register it appears to be either a 1958 or '59. Rickenbacker's own serial decoder brings up no date.

Congrats on having such a cool guitar! Can you post some photos of it? :)

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:29 am
by Jeff Stone
I too tried the factory decoder and got nothing. Will post a pic in the next day or two. Thank you!

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:42 am
by leftybass
Welcome. :D I agree, a pic or two would be worth a great deal in determining it's vintage........

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:40 am
by collin
Awesome guitar, post pics!! :)

Pre 1960 Rics aren't as easily decoded by the serial number.

The true indicator would be the codes on the volume/tone pots that indicate when they were made.

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:35 pm
by Jeff Stone
I was hoping the serial number would provide the clue to it's manufacture date. Were the serial numbers assigned sequentially? Was my 2T033 made before the 2T045 in the register? I don't believe the pick guard and control knobs have ever been removed from the guitar. I am hesitant to open her up to check the dates on the pots. I am leaving for San Francisco today but will post a few pics in the next couple of days. Thank you for your input!

Jeff

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:59 pm
by libratune
Welcome, Jeff.

I have some "F" bodied guitars from that era. The serial nos. for two of them resemble the serial no. on yours. They are: 2T069 and 2T083. They are both early- to mid- 1960. I used the pot codes under the pickguard to estimate the year of mfg. The pot codes for each are 137 6006 and 137 6020.

Pot codes: most pots used on Ricks of that era are CTS, which have a prefix of 137. after that there will be 3 or 4 digits: for '50s codes, there will be three, the first number is the year, next 2 numbers are week. So 137 _945 is 45th week of 1959. Starting in 1960, 4 digits after prefix,first two numbers are the year. So 137 6020 is 20th week of 1960.

You've got a nice guitar there. Would love to see some photos. You can also check out other "F" bodied guitars in the Register.

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:09 pm
by 8mileshigh
+1

I've got 2T045.........1960

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:58 pm
by jingle_jangle
2V089--1960

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:20 am
by 8mileshigh
I forgot I also had 2V022 :oops: .......1960

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:11 am
by chronictown
8mileshigh wrote:I forgot I also had 2V022 :oops: .......1960
I wish I had your problems! :lol: :wink:

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:58 am
by jingle_jangle
Took the words out of my mouth, Chris... :lol:

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:49 am
by 8mileshigh
:lol: :mrgreen:

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:47 am
by Jeff Stone
Have taken some nice pics but having problems uploading. I've reformatted them to 1280x1280 max (I think) but can't get them to load. The forum says they are still too big. Any help for a novice? Thanks, Jeff

Re: 360F serial # help

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:09 am
by libratune
PM sent.

Uploaded attachment size limit is no larger than 299KB and 1200 pixels.