Need Quick Help - Urgent!!! 366/12 Convertible

sashua · Post by **sashua** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 2:13 pm

Hello to all my new friends!
I have a RARE opportunity to own an inexpensive 1968 366/12 Convertible but it is missing the all important comb.

My question is....can I locate a comb somewhere or will it be a completely impossible buy for me? Would Rickenbacker have one in the vault somewhere or are there any Luthiers out here in Rickland that can assist me?

I don't want this once in a lifetime deal to slip through my hands but I also don't want to wind up with a great big nothing if the comb is unattainable.

Please help me ASAP as this deal has a clock running on it.

Thanks all!
Russ

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:04 pm

Sounds like the $1200.00 one I had a line on a couple of weeks ago...

mdbuck · Post by **mdbuck** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:11 pm

I'm in the same boat as you, Russell except for the fact that I do own a '67 366/12 missing only the comb and the arm peg. I had it for almost 3 years now (my first Ric) and have had no luck locating the missing pieces. There was a comb on ebay UK about a month ago but the price was rediculous @ 250 pounds. I hold out hope that there is a reasonably priced comb out there waiting for my purchase. Just haven't come across it yet. It has also been suggested that I get one made but, to me, if it wasn't made by Rickenbacker, it just ain't Ric. So the search continues...

or should that be

?

jsm610 · Post by **jsm610** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:41 pm

I've been successful in locating an arm, the screw-holder thing, the runner, and a comb, so it can be done. Not to discourage, but it took years of actively looking, with the comb being found about a month ago on ebay for $100 or so... This was a couple weeks after the 250 pound one - I assume you could still buy that.

As to 'making' a comb: it seems to me it would be about as easy as 'making' an R-tailpiece. The comb is quite 3-D, with nearly each arm curving a different way, and they are curves, not bends at an angle. Plus the 'string grabbers' of the comb look hard to recreate. I thought at first it was just a flat piece of metal with some bends... Take this with a grain of salt, as I really don't have any idea how you would go about it anyhow...

sashua · Post by **sashua** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:44 pm

Michael,
Although 250 Sterling is a fair chunk of change it would have been an investment that held its value, considering the value of a complete '67 366/12.
I suppose I could reverse engineer one. I am in that business after all....but I feel like you do. Why invest in a piece of vintage gear only to dress it up with reproduction parts?

Ah well.... back to the drawing board I guess.

Russ

mdbuck · Post by **mdbuck** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 4:53 pm

Russell, I agree that it might be worth the 250 p for the comb. But, I also believe that one can be had for cheaper and I'm in no hurry anyway...

jps · Post by **jps** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:13 pm

Sometimes when a part is as scarce as hen's teeth you have to suck in your gut and pay the price. You may find one cheaper someday...maybe. Or you can pay the price and get the guitar back in working order.

Right now the guitar is $1200.00 without the comb, but with the $400.00 comb you may have a $3000.00 guitar!

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:21 pm

$1200 for a '68 12 string, comb or no comb, is a great deal, providing it's in good playing condition.

sashua · Post by **sashua** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:11 am

What if it were $2,000 and had a few chips in the finish (and the missing comb of course)? Still a good deal....or would I be overpaying?

ted_williams · Post by **ted_williams** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:33 am

I don't think $2000 is out of line. Can you post some pictures?

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:51 am

360/12's of that era have been priced anywhere from
2900 to 4500(some optimists have gone beyond 5000).
So- 2000 seems very fair. Put regular pickguards on until you find the converter stuff if you like.
BTW- Rickenbacker used the same bodies for the 366/12 as well as the 360/12. There are many late 60's 360/12's with the extra bracing.