Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've squinted and enlarged the photo, and I can't tell.

I can't tell if the inlays go entirely across the fretboard, or are post 73 partial inlays.

In any case, can you tell me - or guess - what year and model this is?

thanks much

Richard

I can't tell you the year, but those are definitely partial inlays.

espidog wrote:I can't tell you the year, but those are definitely partial inlays.

+1

It appears to be a post-1973 360/12 MG WB WT (Mapleglo, double bound, white trim). No way to tell the year by just looking at a picture (unless it's of the jack plate, of course ).

In the Register there are examples from 1974 (2), 1977 (1), 1981 (2), 1982 (3), 1985 (1), 1986 (1), 1991 (1), and 1994 (1).

doctorwho wrote:In the Register there are examples from 1974 (2), 1977 (1), 1981 (2), 1982 (3), 1985 (1), 1986 (1), 1991 (1), and 1994 (1).

Armed with this information and the photo, we can narrow down the possible range of dates a lot. Steve Howe was born in 1947. He started playing with Yes in 1970, when he was 23. Yes split up in 1981 and Steve left the band, not returning until 1990. His clothing, hair and general appearance in that photo suggests the early to mid 1970s.

Gary's info seems to be the way to go. I believe that photo is from a Yes show in 1977.

Here's another, better photo.

Correct, mid-70's 360/12WB in Mapleglo.

Thanks for the sleuthing, guys.....mid-70s / 1977 it is. Thanks!

Hard to tell, but based on the shape and font that looks like a plexi TRC, which was phased-out by the mid to late 70s.

I would put the date as 74/75, just as a guess.

doctorwho wrote:
It appears to be a post-1973 360/12 MG WB WT (Mapleglo, double bound, white trim).

I sound like a total pedant here, but it's not technically a "WT" because Black Trim didn't exist at that point, it wouldn't have been referenced as a WT at the factory in mid-70s.

IIRC, the factory didn't even use "WB" it was "WBBS" (with binding both sides) based on internal markings and materials I've seen. But of course we all refer to these as WBs.

The Rick was later stolen.
The guitar was used for the first part of the song “Awaken“ from the “Going For The One“ album.
The photos are from the GFTO tour.

Steve later went on to use a Steinberger 12 string for that song.

pag wrote:The Rick was later stolen.
The guitar was used for the first part of the song “Awaken“ from the “Going For The One“ album.
The photos are from the GFTO tour.

Steve later went on to use a Steinberger 12 string for that song.

My SHGC is packed away but I recall his talking about it getting stolen, and he discusses what tracks it was used on, in the book.

According to Steve’s own book, he claims he got this guitar directly from the factory in 1977, while also getting a matching 6-string 360 MG.

Based on the build details, that seems doubtful but it’s hard to tell based on just a couple photos.

This guitar appears to have high gain pickups rather than toaster tops. Is that unusual for a double bound 360/12?

Tele295 wrote:This guitar appears to have high gain pickups rather than toaster tops. Is that unusual for a double bound 360/12?

Not for a 24-fret WB.

In fact, high gains were standard for that model. The WB was simply all the same specs as the equivalent round-top 360, but with the old body shape and double binding. It wasn’t a reissue model per se... which would have toasters.