Refinishing a '66 345-Q

Kery · Post by **Kery** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 4:09 pm

Mark,
Have you ever heard of a 345-Q ? It is handwritten
in red letters inside the body. Peter McCormack has dated it as a 1966 model. The owner said it originally was a sunburst type paint job, but it was really worn out so he varnished it. I have sanded it all off and am ready to paint but I need more info on Rickenbacker's paint process in '66. My brother is a professional auto painter, and will do all the actual painting, but he wants me to find out what kind of paint to use, and also what order they laid it out. Also, any paint code numbers or color information would be much appreciated. Thanks

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 7:24 pm

By the way folks ...the Q is a meaningless in house (Dick Burke ) coding .This was a way to keep track of inventory .

Maybe John Hall could give more info as to the system.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 7:25 pm

As I was not there in that time frame ,I will pass the baton to J.Hall.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Wed Dec 13, 2000 10:10 pm

I had a friend who owned a '66 33-12 some years back, and inside this guitar, it was inscribed,
345 S 12.Well, it was Not a 3 PU Rick, and neither did it have a vibrato on it.But this one was odd, in that[and I've Never seen or heard of this before or since] as it was a 330-12, with No
binding on neck, or inlays, but it had the Front edge bound and Not the back, and also had a bound catseye soundhole.

Kery · Post by **Kery** » Wed Dec 20, 2000 6:25 pm

How do I contact John Hall? Thanks for all the info.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Thu Dec 21, 2000 12:01 pm

Just yodel at this site and he comes running ....or go to

jhall@rickenbacker.com

tell him we sent you

anon · Post by **anon** » Fri Jan 12, 2001 10:36 pm

I've got a Rick 330 that has 345-C written inside it and it was never been routed for a 3rd PU????
I dont know what the C is for???
FATRAT

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Sun Jan 14, 2001 7:45 pm

Here's the best rule to follow concerning the lettering on the inside cavity of these guitars: They don't mean a thing.

glen_l · Post by **glen_l** » Sun Jan 14, 2001 8:01 pm

here's a pic of a '64 RM1997 that I recently snapped in a friends workshop prior to it's refinish back to fg. Note the internal designation as a 345. Seems a very common thing.
http://www.geocities.com/g7sus4/641997cl.jpg

Brother_Ray · Post by **Brother_Ray** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 2:08 pm

I own a 1967 Ric 12 string that cosmetically looks like a 330/12. Inside the body cavity three inspectors have signed their names and/or initials and written the number 345/12X. This is all under the finish over spray, so I am sure it is original. I have been puzzled by this for years, as this guitar has no serial number on the jackplate; it is a bare metal bench part. I dated the guitar from the volume and tone pots which are Jan 67. I find this confusing but I can't believe the markings don't mean anything.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 7:00 pm

Bro Ray, I had a friend who had a '66 330-12 w bound soundhole and top of body Only binding, and inside it said 34512S . Go figure...

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 7:08 pm

John: Yes it would seem that there are many instances of lettering inside that are inconsistent with the instrument in question. It is a shame as this would be a great opportunity to record important information with regard to the Rickenbacker that has just been crafted. I am wondering if this practice of lettering inside instruments is currently taking place.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Jan 24, 2001 11:59 pm

Then I will have to post the question directly at John Hall and see if he has any 'official' idea what were the felt pen markings of Dick Burke ,inside the body cavities on the backs of the guitars and basses.

Any idea?