Is it "1998PT" or "1997PT"?

[doctorwho]

I thought I'd ask the Forum about the "correct" designation of the Pete Townshend Limited Edition. The PT LE page at Rickenbacker's site (http://www.rickenbacker.com/us/1997pt.htm) refers to it as a 1997PT, but Mike Parks and Bjorn Eriksson (among others) refer to it as a 1998PT. So which is it?

[admin]

Interesting question Dr. Who. During the mid 1960s when Pete Townshend was altering the form of a number of guitars, the Rose Morris 6-string, three pickup model he he played was designated as a Model 1998. The Model 1997, at time time, was a two pickup model with the f-hole. Until last year you could still purchase a Model 1997 with the toaster pickups and the dot fretboard and f-hole.

I have always considered the Pete Townshend Signature Model to be a Model 1998, however, RIC designated it as a Model 1997PT when they introduced the model in the early part of 1987. I am unclear as to why they chose this number, but it is officially a Model 1997PT regardless of the points made above. Townshend also played a Rose Morris Model 1993, a Model 330 with an f-hole as well as an American Model 360/12.

[kennyhowes]

I sure wish they'd reissue the 1993 12-string...

[admin]

Kenny: So do I. I suspect that we have not seen the last of this model.

[leftybass]

Well, get in the Way-Back Machine to about 1987, and you can get yourself a re-issue 1993 12-string...some say they made as many as 50 of them, but they don't come up for sale very often.