Rickenbacker Electro ES-17

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:03 pm

I came across an Electro ES-17-fireglo,set neck, with a tremolo today and was curious what one of these would fetch. It is in excellent condition-looks to have had very little use. What year do you suppose it may be? It has the RIC trussrod cover with a metal ELECTRO plate over it. It has a brown hard case (handle broken). Thanks for any information.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:31 pm

That's an early TRC plate. By "tremelo" I assume you mean "vibrato". What type of vibrato? Any pics?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:49 pm

Interesting, that's the 2nd Electro I've heard of with that kind of TRC, the other one was an ES-16....Geoff, did you see a sn# on it? The case sounds original from your description.

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:01 pm

I dont have pics of it as I don't have it (yet). I did mean vibrato but I'm not sure what type it is. By the look of the guitar I would guess it is original to the guitar but I couldnt be sure. Has anyone seen these with a vibrato? There was 3 or 4 numbers on the vibrato cover but I'll have to see it again to see what they are. As far as price goes what would an estimate be for something like this be? The price may be flexible but I havent pushed that subject yet.

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:19 pm

The number 352 is stamped on the end of the vibrato cover but no other numbers found

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:56 pm

"end of the vibrato..." cover?!? Whatever type of vibrato could this be?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:18 pm

I want to say that these guitars had a vibrato of Japanese manufacture on them, I've heard others say that at least....Another possibility would be the Boyd Vibrato, and I believe there are pics of 425s and 450s with these in the Rittor book...

Look at this 425, Geoff:

http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/425s/425s.htm

This one is a Rickenbacker of course and is neck-thru, but does it look like your setup??

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:45 pm

Japanese vibs similar to this one were used by a number of American manufacturers of student-line guitars, especially Kay and possibly Supro and National.

NOS ones have been turning up on eBay in the last year. I know because I've bought a few for use on vintage projects.

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:03 pm

John, the RIC in the link you posted looks to have the same vibrato as the Electro I saw. The guy that has the Electro said that there appears to be screw holes right next to the ones holding the pickguard ,so either its a new pickguard or the holes were a screw up from the time it was built. The guitar is in pretty good shape.What is your ballpark estimate on its value?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 7:12 am

Hard to say, really. If it was all there, I'd say about $750-800...it depends on when it was made too. Not too many float by that are vibrato equipped.

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 8:19 am

An Electro just like the one here in town(minus the vibrato) just popped up on ebay so I guess I'll watch what it goes for to see how much interest there is in these. It's item number is 7382259762

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:26 pm

The ebay Electro just went for $1326.00.. Wow! I may have to take another look at the one in town. Do you think one with the vibrato would see that kind of ebay bidding?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:34 pm

Dang! I recently bought a '64 Ryder (same guitar) in 9+ cond. and matching amp for $785. Yippee!

jsm610 · Post by **jsm610** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:32 pm

$1,326 is insane.

I bought a '69 ES-17; 9+, 11.29.05 - $550

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:20 am

Yeah, IMO it's high too. Not a true reflection of their worth, Although the eariler production models should command a better price(to me that is...)