Pics of my 'new' JG 1966 450/12

lritger · Post by **lritger** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:51 pm

Hi guys-

I laid out the guitar and took some shots just a short while ago; nothing creative yet, just some overall and detail pics. I'll get to work in Photoshop to get something a bit more creative in the Gallery, though.

Here's an overall look:

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45001.jpg

The FD 1166 serial stamp and overall beautiful condition of the bridge is seen here:

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45002.jpg

Although it may be difficult to see, the varnish on the fingerboard is still fully intact and bright:

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45003.jpg

The back has zero buckle scuffs or other blemishes; it needs to be polished, but that's it.

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45004.jpg

The following three pics show the only damage evident on the body:

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45005.jpg

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45006.jpg

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45007.jpg

And the case is in fantastic condition; the corners are somewhat worn, as one might expect, and the exterior needs cleaning, but the interior is quite literally perfect. The strap you see came with the guitar, and is allegedly the original strap from 1966; the wear at the fold of the leather would seem to support that claim.

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/case1.jpg

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/case2.jpg

Thanks again to everyone for the warm and generous welcome; I am just thrilled to bits to finally own such a beautiful guitar, and I don't need to tell you guys how wonderful it sounds through my Roland JC55 amp!

Lynn

PS: Does the forum not support img src tags? I couldn't get the pics to appear in preview mode, which is why I left them as links.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:22 pm

Nice guitar, Lynn, glad to have you on board.

I did not see anything under Coding about the img src tags. Maybe Peter can enlighten us.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:24 pm

Lynn, welcome. I own a '64 450/12 FG and a '65 450/12 JG. Peter McCormack owns a '66 450/12. These solid body 12 strings are under appreciated and under valued at this time. Your 450/12 is very nice but I noticed a couple of things:
1. Your strings have been reversed. They didn't come that way from the factory. It is easy to put them back original.
2. The pick guard does not look original. From the pics, it looks as if the guard is painted white. Is it? It should be an opaque plastic.
3. The strap may be as old as the guitar but its not what rickenbacker sold back then.
Again, you have a really nice old 450/12 but a couple of mods have been preformed on it. The good news is that the guitar can be made to look correct very cheaply.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:48 pm

Lynn, I think your guitar is a beauty--looks like you picked up a keeper!

lritger · Post by **lritger** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:52 pm

Hi John-

The pickguard is indeed an opaque white Plexiglas piece, and has a stress fracture by one of the pickup mounting screws:

http://109lair.hobbyvista.com/pshop/450/45009.jpg

The earlier pics I posted were somewhat overexposed, due to my having the black guitar against a dark blue backdrop!

The fellow who was selling it had put fresh D'Addarios on it, and I'm sure I saw a post outlining how to properly string the guitar; I'll dig through the forum for that.

I agree that the strap isn't a standard Rickenbacker piece; when I tried it on, the guitar was nearly in my armpit, not quite the optimum playing position!

My guess would be that whoever originally owned the guitar preferred that high position and the original strap has been lost to history.

I'd greatly appreciate your input as to whether I should keep the original, cracked pickguard on there, or replace it with an intact one of later manufacture... I don't want to make any modifications which would negatively affect the value of the guitar.

Thanks much,

Lynn

lritger · Post by **lritger** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:05 pm

Actually, I have one other question, although this one's comparatively silly... how difficult is it to find an original green polishing cloth? I know I can get a new one for 2 bucks, no biggie, but it would be nice to have the "original" with the guitar.

(And thanks much to Melissa and Gary for your kind words!)

Lynn

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:39 pm

Lynn, you could always contact Tony @ pickguardian.com for a new pickguard. Excellent work and quick to boot. Sorry, one of those pics made the guard look incorrect. I see now that it is correct. Good deal. So, keep the original guard but put a new one on the guitar. You may have to get a new nut to have the string slots match up correctly. Please take my advice as constructive criticism, as thats all I mean.

Good luck on your cool JG 450/12.

lritger · Post by **lritger** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:51 pm

No worries John, I greatly appreciate your feedback. I've been playing for a long time, but am a complete newbie to Rickenbacker ownership; this is the first REALLY NICE guitar I've ever owned. So, any tips from serious Rickenbacker "disciples" such as yourself are most certainly welcome.

Thanks for the steer towards Tony, I'll drop him a line.

Cheers-

Lynn

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:07 pm

Great model and example, Lynn. Was this at the V. Beach Guitar Center? If so, someone who works there said something about it on the forum here some months back. Hope you got a deal and congrats.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:07 pm

PS: Does the forum not support img src tags? I couldn't get the pics to appear in preview mode, which is why I left them as links.

Lynn, this site does not use html or phpbb tags. You have to use fairly cryptic codes (and escape characters) to get things to work here.

See the "Coding" link here.

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:03 am

Lynn, Thanks for the detailed photos - they're great. I can completely understand your enthusiasm around purchasing your first Rickenbacker. What a way to start, eh?

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:05 am

By the way, an original '60s polish cloth could set you back a bit. Prices fetched on eBay in recent times for early examples have been crazy!

lritger · Post by **lritger** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:28 am

Thanks for the heads up, Darren... bidding wars are not my thing, so I'll keep an eye out to see where the prices go. It's not exactly a "must have", I just thought it would be neat to have with the guitar.

And thanks much for your kind words!

Lynn

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:59 am

Did Rickenbacker ever use white switch tips in the mid '60s? My December '66 330/12 has one that is very old (yellowed with age) that I always assumed was non-original.

BobKat · Post by **BobKat** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:21 pm

Some did indeed use white.

Those green cloths would indeed be pricey. Especially one with the correct address for 1966.