Fine Tuning A Model 350
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"The Majestic"
1993 Model 350 Mapleglo
Photo ©2004 Peter McCormack

Old Trends - New Transitions


This Model 350 Rickenbacker has made its way from California to South Carolina and then to New Brunswick, Canada. It arrived as a Model 350 Liverpool, however, in the past six years has undergone a number of changes that have truly transformed its look and sound. This most beautiful instrument retains the 24 frets of the Model 350 Liverpool, while at the same time borrows a number of the features from the majestic Model 350V63, most noteably the trapeze tailpiece and the chrome-bar "toaster" pickups. The impetus for these changes was, of course, John Lennon. At the same time, however, a number of other features were adopted that are in keeping with the early history of Rickenbacker guitars.

Suffice it to say that it has undergone a number of transitions, some of which are apparent and others more covert. These changes have included: the well-known "R" tailpiece changed to the Trapeze from earlier times; the pickups switched from high gains, to toasters, to an added humbucker, and finally the return to all toasters; the bottom pickguard changed to gold; the top-tier guard added in white and then changed to black; the knobs changed from Rickenbacker silver tops to Hofner reproductions; the raised white truss-rod cover changed to gold; the toggle switch knob changed from black to antique gold; the wiring altered to enable the use of any combination of pickups; the tweaked tonality of the neck pickup to allow for a brighter sound; and now the addition of RIC-TITE tuners in place of the standard more modern Schallers.


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"Let's Dig The Beat"
1993 Model 350 Mapleglo
Photo ©2004 Peter McCormack

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"A Touch Of Lennon"
1993 Model 350 Mapleglo
Photo ©2004 Peter McCormack

Adding RIC-TITE Keywinds


The most recent changes to this Model 350 include the addition of RIC-TITE keywinds. These keywinds look and behave like the old Grover tuners that I had on my first guitar in the 1960s. Lightweight, they are strong and work exceedingly well. With the open backs, it is just not possible to get a cooler look. The slotted screws and the rugged look of the keywind gears will have you imagining your next gig is at The Cavern. For those who want the early look of Lennon's 1958 model 325, the RIC-TITE keywinds is a great choice.

For those enthusiasts who have similar aspirations for their Model 350, it should be mentioned that the changes in the wiring can be easily reversed to the way your instrument left the factory. The changes to the keywinds and the tailpiece, however, are not reversible without some tricky work in refilling screw holes. The good news is that the trapeze tailpiece bracket covers up the "R" tailpiece holes and the RIC-TITE tuners cover up the screw holes for the Schaller keywinds, so it is a very tidy job.

"To the toppermost of the poppermost."



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"The Complete Grover Look"
1993 Model 350 Mapleglo
Photo ©2004 Peter McCormack

Rickenbacker - A Guitar For All Time


Playing and modifying this Rickenbacker guitar has been a most interesting and rewarding experience. It has been exceeded perhaps, only by the open communication with Rickenbacker International Corporation and the uncomparable enthusiasm generated by the participates in The Rickenbacker Forum.

There are few things in life as rewarding as music, whether it be listening or performing with those with like minded views.

For those who have not had the opportunity to play a Rickenbacker guitar or bass first-hand, be forewarned that once held, these instruments are not easily set aside. Rest assured that your playing experience closely resembles that of all those artists who have chosen Rickenbackers as their instrument of choice for more than the past 70 years. The Rickenbackers of today are constructed to the same high standard as those of the past.

The secret weapon of the British Invasion was the Rickenbacker sound. While the Invasion lasted only a relatively short time in the early to mid 1960s, Rickenbacker's tradition of crafting fine instruments has never wavered. The Rickenbacker remains an instrument for all time.



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"Cry For A Shadow"
1993 Model 350 Mapleglo
Photo ©2004 Peter McCormack

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