Hi everyone
This is my first post - so apologies up front if this is not the right place to ask this question.
I have a 1976 330 Fireglo with Hi Gains - but it looks like it should be a 60's model. It's got 21 frets and the pickgard shape looks like its a 60's template. Is it likely that Rickenbacker had old 60's 330 bodies still in the factory that they were using as late as 1976? I suppose anything is possible but if any of you have any further information I would be interested in finding out.
I've attached a couple of 'live' photos - but if you need a better shot let me know and I can take some more.
Looking forward to hearing from people who no doubt have a much greater knowledge than I.
1976 Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
Re: 1976 Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo
Hi Kieren, welcome!
Very cool guitar you have there. 6-string guitars are rare throughout the 1970s (compared to basses), but 21-fret 330s are even less common. Paul Weller played a couple just like yours, in The Jam era.
Yet, they do turn up occasionally. Two have been on the market this past month, actually. I don't believe the tall tale about "leftover 60s bodies" (heard it before), but the internal construction is the same as 60s models, with x-bracing etc. Orders for guitars was slow in the 1970s, but not slow enough that many dozens of 60s bodies would sit around waiting.
Plus I've played a handful of them and the neck profiles on 70s models are nice, but different than most 60s years.
Cool guitar, thanks for sharing.
Very cool guitar you have there. 6-string guitars are rare throughout the 1970s (compared to basses), but 21-fret 330s are even less common. Paul Weller played a couple just like yours, in The Jam era.
Yet, they do turn up occasionally. Two have been on the market this past month, actually. I don't believe the tall tale about "leftover 60s bodies" (heard it before), but the internal construction is the same as 60s models, with x-bracing etc. Orders for guitars was slow in the 1970s, but not slow enough that many dozens of 60s bodies would sit around waiting.
Plus I've played a handful of them and the neck profiles on 70s models are nice, but different than most 60s years.
Cool guitar, thanks for sharing.
Re: 1976 Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo
Many thanks Colin - yes, I thought the 'leftover bodies' story sounded strange as well but you never do know with Rickenbacker.
Being a big Who/Jam fan, that's why I bought it! I picked it up secondhand in 1979, so whoever bought it new didn't hold on to it for long. At that stage I had no idea about 24 v 21 frets or Hi-Gains v Toasters. This is pre-Internet of course and I used to look in the second-hand shops and a magazine here in Sydney called the 'Trading Post' where people would place 'for sale' ads. Rickenbackers were hard to find. Mind you that's the same way I picked up my 1966 360-12 fireglo, a couple of old Vox amps and a Vox Phantom guitar, so I did pretty well.
Being a big Who/Jam fan, that's why I bought it! I picked it up secondhand in 1979, so whoever bought it new didn't hold on to it for long. At that stage I had no idea about 24 v 21 frets or Hi-Gains v Toasters. This is pre-Internet of course and I used to look in the second-hand shops and a magazine here in Sydney called the 'Trading Post' where people would place 'for sale' ads. Rickenbackers were hard to find. Mind you that's the same way I picked up my 1966 360-12 fireglo, a couple of old Vox amps and a Vox Phantom guitar, so I did pretty well.
- Ontario_RIC_fan
- Advanced Member
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- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: 1976 Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo
Yes a rare one indeed...
There are only five 76 330's in the register... http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... 76&order=5
There are only five 76 330's in the register... http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... 76&order=5
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
- sloop_john_b
- Rick-a-holic
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Re: 1976 Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo
You can verify the year with the RIC decoder here.
Looks great, welcome to the RRF.
Looks great, welcome to the RRF.
"The best things in life aren't things."
Re: 1976 Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo
Could the 21/24 mystery be something as simple as them not rotating stock? In accountant-speak, we'd call that LIFO vs. FIFO.