Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Looking back through previous posts on the forum, I see quite a few threads about the hand written markings in the body cavities. As far as I can tell from previous discussion there is, and has never been, any discernible rhyme or reason to what was written in there by Rickenbacker production workers i.e. it seems to be an eclectic mix of employee names/initials, actual or feasible production model numbers based on the body/neck spec, colour abbreviations, apparantly random doodling etc etc!!

I opened up a 1987 300 series guitar recently (pictured) - I was half expecting to see some sort of model number inside but nothing just what I guess are names etc.

I was wondering if any forum members have recollections of present or retired Rickenbacker production staff commenting here or elsewhere on what they wrote inside the guitars (either through personal preference or required factory protocol) and how this may have changed over the years. For example, based on the '60's 300 series guitars I've owned, without exception they all had some sort of model number inside (even if the final built guitar was to a different spec eg 370 inside but built as a 360).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, my Rick has absolutely no writing in any of the cavaties what-so-ever. Not even a designation for the finish. The only thing it has is some writing in pencil in the truss rod cavity, which I can't read because it appears to be under the finish.

That's interesting Erik, what year of manufacture is it?

1980

some people pay more for 50's and 60's Fenders if they have factory worker Tadeo Gomez signature, wondering if any Rickenbacker workers names make a Rick more valuable

Maria.

I found this in my first old 330 i had from the 90s Also inside were 3 spears,2 jugs and a broken chariot

scotty wrote:I found this in my first old 330 i had from the 90s Also inside were 3 spears,2 jugs and a broken chariot

I believed you up until the chariot part.

scotty wrote:I found this in my first old 330 i had from the 90s Also inside were 3 spears,2 jugs and a broken chariot

Well played, sir.

tnelson wrote:some people pay more for 50's and 60's Fenders if they have factory worker Tadeo Gomez signature, wondering if any Rickenbacker workers names make a Rick more valuable

Trudy. If you're checking out a mid-'60s Rick and "Trudy" is written in the cavity, you can't go wrong.

scotty wrote:I found this in my first old 330 i had from the 90s Also inside were 3 spears,2 jugs and a broken chariot

...I had no idea of these possiblities...and now I'm feeling short changed!! Time to get the screwdriver out for another look around - I might have missed something!

tnelson wrote:some people pay more for 50's and 60's Fenders if they have factory worker Tadeo Gomez signature, wondering if any Rickenbacker workers names make a Rick more valuable

very interesting..I had never heard of this before...more info about Tadeo's life here:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/tad.html

libratune wrote:

tnelson wrote:some people pay more for 50's and 60's Fenders if they have factory worker Tadeo Gomez signature, wondering if any Rickenbacker workers names make a Rick more valuable

Trudy. If you're checking out a mid-'60s Rick and "Trudy" is written in the cavity, you can't go wrong.

..darn it, just opened up Byrdy and all I found was Jill.....

it would be interesting to have some faces behind the signatures,
guess I should just be happy owning the guitars, I like the geeky tech details junk

tnelson wrote:it would be interesting to have some faces behind the signatures,
guess I should just be happy owning the guitars, I like the geeky tech details junk

...you're right Tim, it would be great to have more detailed info and stories from folks who worked in the factory back in the '60's. Unfortunately, after so much time has elapsed, I just don't think there are contributors to the forum these days who have this history to hand...