How do I determine what I've got

[cygnet]

Hi folks,
This is my first post here. I saw a video tour of the Rickenbacker museum on Premier Guitar, and there was a link over to here. I've had the same guitar since the early 70's, and by looking at pictures here I can figure that it's a 450/6 string. But I've seen listings for Combo, but no description of what that is? And also references to serial numbers determining age, but I can't find that info either. Is there a chart somewhere I'm missing that tells the serial number age story, and maybe a definition of terms to say what things like a "combo" are?

[jdawe]

The Rickenbacker company website has a serial number decoder -- you type in the serial number, and it will tell you the age (unless your guitar was made in the 1950s).
http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp

The "Combo" series guitars were Rickenbacker's first modern electrics, introduced in 1954. The "Combo 450" had the so-called "tulip" body shape through 1958 (I think), and in 1959 was replaced by the "cresting wave" body. I'm not sure of the details, but I think at some point the name "Combo" was dropped and the guitar became known simply as the 450. There are many here who know far more about Rickenbacker history than me who can give you a more definitive answer.

If you post some pix, people here will probably be able to tell you exactly what you have.

[cjj]

Rickenbacker also has a model identification page:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/identification.asp

You pick the features that are on your guitar and it will figure out what you have.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Tom:

The fastest way to get a response will be to post some pictures of your guitar! We love to look at them...

The register here is a great resource as well..

Here is a gallary of Combo 450s

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

and here are some more recent 450s

http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0

The key bit of info you will need is the serial number which should be on the bridge plate right below where the strings attach to the guitar - It will most likely be two letters and 3 or 4 numbers.

Best of luck on your quest to learn more about your Rickenbacker!

[doctorwho]

Welcome, Tom!

I assume that you have found the serial number of yours stamped on the tailpiece, right? If you tell us the first two alphanumeric characters of it, we can tell you what month/year it was made, unless it's a really old one.

[cygnet]

Hi folks, Thanks for all the quick replies. I just looked for the serial number, and I'll try and take some photos soon, but the serial# is: AC 220. And by going to that serial number decoder page from the link above, thank you, it says my guitar was manufactured March 1961.

[cygnet]

I just realized that although I haven't taken any photos of my guitar, other folks have. I have a file of performance photos that audience members have given me. So here are a few different gigs around the Austin TX area.

[jps]

Nice guitar, Tom!

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Looks a lot like this one to me...

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

[cygnet]

Yes Brian, that's it exactly. Even down to the gold sparkle truss rod cover, and the case too. So I've just listed it in the registry. Thanks all.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Yes Brian, that's it exactly. Even down to the gold sparkle truss rod cover, and the case too. So I've just listed it in the registry. Thanks all.

Yes it is definitely a transitional model with the gold TRC and white pickguard.... The 1960 examples still had the pressed metal TRC's, and by 1963 onwards till RIC stopped making them the plastic was standard white...

Thanks for adding it to the register - don't forget to take some pics of it and add them too! The register is a wonderful research tool for Rickenbacker instruments...