Amazing auctions on ebay in the UK.

glen_l · Post by **glen_l** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 1:05 pm

You won't believe this one. I've been trying to help authenticate this amazing Ric for some months now, without any results from the factory. All the hardware seems correct for the period, and there is a story to explain it's existance. Would have been nice to have some input from Ric on such an impressive guitar. I hope it's on the level.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=3735744335

If you think that's amazing, check out the other auctions. This'll have people checking their bank balances. I'm glad to be broke at the moment. Safest place to be.....

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 1:27 pm

Glen, if it's real then it is a great piece....but I dunno.

The questions that concern me are the round heel and the 'Made in USA' on the nameplate, which for Dec. '63--Jan.'64 doesn't quite pan out--and the story given by the seller, while interesting, is not all too convincing...The only known photo of it from the 60's needs "restoring"?? Hmm...

I agree that a Radio Tel document confirming it as the real deal would help things condsiderably.

glen_l · Post by **glen_l** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 1:55 pm

I'd really have to see a Radio Tel document too. Having seen detailed pics over the past few months it appears that it was originally a 615 and was converted to a 325 shaped body. It has all the contours of a 615 and no ramp for the accent, as you'd expect. The cresting upper horn has been shaped into a 325 shaped horn, and a middle pickup added. The black finish appears to be factory original and has correct factory style markings inside.

A 325 this early would certainly have a square heel, but a 615 possibly not. I'm not sure about the TRC for that era. It's true that Georges 360/12 from late '63 had no 'Made in USA' on it. However, the Japanese 325fg solidbody which is also a DA serial number does have the "Made in USA', as do all the Rose Morris models I've seen. Lennon's 325/12 which is a 'DB' number has no "Made in USA' This leads me to believe that there was a bunch of white TRC's with no 'Made in USA' that was being used by whoever was cutting out the funny shaped covers for those early 12 string Rics.

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:18 pm

It's a 615 alright, and it bears a remarkable resemblance to another modded 615 with that same shape upper horn and vintage parts.

Pretty big coincidence if it's not a modern replica pieced together to resemble this(I know, I was going to take a '64 615 carcass I have and do the exact same thing, might still at some point) but anything's possible.

glen_l · Post by **glen_l** » Sun Jul 11, 2004 2:09 pm

I have on file a Rose Morris 1995 (615) that was sold on ebay in recent years, from Leeds UK. It was refinished Jetglo, and had a serial number DA 47.

bails · Post by **bails** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 1:29 am

1. The seller first registered on eBay on May 03 this year as "mr_fisci", then promptly changed to "oldguy_2004" on Jun 09. That's not a very long time to keep an identity.
2. The majority of the seller's 26 positive feedbacks come from items worth less than $5.00 each.
3. The seller only accepts money orders and checks which cannot be cancelled or investigated like bogus creditcard transactions can. Once you've sent the money, you're on your own.
4. The seller's other items include "Gibson 1963 SG Standard In Mint condition.Custom orderd bigsby factory fitted RARE!!!! (3735750189)". This item was originally listed as 1963 Gibson SG(3733401194) by booradley69, and they clearly state: "...the prior owner claims to have put the Bigsby on as an aftermarket item when he made the original purchase..."
5. Have I made my point?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:53 am

wow, you guys are good.

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:14 am

nah, we just spend too much time on Ebay, lol

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:53 pm

Jeff,

Where did you go? I have been trying to track you down.

sashua · Post by **sashua** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:25 pm

Gone....

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:09 am

Are you referring to Jeff or the guitar, Russ? If it's the guitar, after three years I imagine it would be gone.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:37 pm

The seller of this guitar was full of it. He fabricated the whole story. I asked JH about it a long time ago. He doubted it. He was right. Who was the seller? Gagliano? Didn't call everybody "babbies and wankers"? Lol.