Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Question re: old lefty Rics built with right-handed necks (upside down headstock, inlays): For models that had bound necks, did the binding on both sides of the neck have dot markers for fret positions? As opposed to the binding on the side facing down being blank with no markers.

For example vintage lefty Gibsons have the dots on both sides of the neck. Dots on the bottom side were the original right-handed dot markers, and a set of lefty dot markers was added on the side binding facing up towards the player

Interestingly, I’m restoring one of the only lefty 365 models ever made in the 60s (from 1966).

The neck only had side markers on the one side (bass side while playing it). Therefore we can assume the fretboard and neck was assigned to the lefty instrument and then finalized. Gibson must have finished the necks completely and then just stuck a right neck on a lefty body and added new side markers.

Collin: Good sleuthing. BTW, has anyone ever told you that you have a striking resemblance to Steve McQueen.

admin wrote:Collin: Good sleuthing. BTW, has anyone ever told you that you have a striking resemblance to Steve McQueen.

Thanks for the reminder. Time for my once-per-decade avatar swap.

collin wrote:Interestingly, I’m restoring one of the only lefty 365 models ever made in the 60s (from 1966).

The neck only had side markers on the one side (bass side while playing it). Therefore we can assume the fretboard and neck was assigned to the lefty instrument and then finalized. Gibson must have finished the necks completely and then just stuck a right neck on a lefty body and added new side markers.

Wow, good timing... thank you for the information!