Mystery Rickenbacker Guitar

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:27 pm

Nope. It looks like they just grabbed a 360 neck.

I wish that guy would hurry up and mail me this guitar.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:01 pm

Again, in Smith's book it mentions this prototype with a walnut body and a laminated neck. It appears to have made one appearance at the 1959 NAMM Show.

glen_l · Post by **glen_l** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:04 pm

Tony's perfectly right about the neck set. Seeing as there is no ply back on Combo850's this is how they look. We're seeing a normal capri neck, and a pocket for it cut into the rear of the solid body, but no ply covering it. It's a cool feature that they put a delux 360 neck into this particular body.

What I'm seeing that places these few transition combos (including the polynesian) between the combo850's and the Capri's are - Capri neck (and headstock), having toaster pickups only, external jackplate (rather than recessed), and Capri bridge/tailpiece arrangment.

Or would it just be easier to say they're Capri's with a combo850 style body??

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:15 pm

Stan, I'm not sure if this is the same guitar. Definitely not a Walnut body. Maybe there are a couple variations to this guitar.

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:34 pm

Thats a later 50s neck. My earlier '58 365 neck has no stripe and the inlays are sharper at the edge of the fretboard. oh, this is fun!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:37 pm

You're right, John. What hardwood is it then? Maple?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:49 pm

That body is Maple IMO. Some of the Capri hollowbodies were made with Maple tops at that time in '58, in the 'butcher-block' fashion.

I think for a Rickenbacker from that period to be labeled a 'Capri', the one thing it would have to be would be hollow. With the guitars, it was a 'Combo' from the 400 all the way to the 18-fret 1000, all solid-body guitars in this group. With the 850 you get into the look that would continue on in more modern Rickenbackers in the body lines.....

This deluxe 850, the Polynesian and the walnut-bodied 850(wherever it is) IMO were attempts at making the guitars easier to play. I have played David's Combo 850s quite a few times, and while they sound incredible (they have KILLER tone) the horseshoe p/ups can be a bit to work with in finding a decent playing postiton. It makes sense to me after playing one why they would attempt to 'streamline' the guitar a bit with a bridge toaster while not compromising too much of what the guitar delivers.

(added post) Glen, I bet if you flipped the 'Polynesian' over, the neck would be set in the body just like this guitar. Truly a one-off guitar with that one, with a 3/4 scale neck, but not a 325 by a long shot.

glen_l · Post by **glen_l** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:25 pm

yep, good point John. They can't really be a Capri unless they have a hollow body. They're just 'stuck in the middle'. I think you're right about the little Polynesian too. It probably would have the same 850 style neck set. All this combo talk is growing on me. Have to get myself a combo of some description sometime. Perhaps a nice tulip body 400 or 450 would be a good starting point

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:00 pm

I just love the unique features of the Combos and of these transitional solid bodies, especially the Combos' horseshoes and the German carve of the tops. That lovely green paint finish is also embedded in my memory cells.

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:03 pm

Just thought I'd add a link to detailed pix of a typical 850 for those not so familiar...

Typical Boring Run of the Mill Combo 850

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:01 am

Tony, that's reeeeely boring man. GIMME!!!

The '57s are cool, many subtle differences from the '58's....I like how they only drilled a hole in the body for the input jack, then later going to the elongated jackplate.

I'll bet it sounds fabulous, they are COOL.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:12 am

WOW!! That run of the mill combo 850 is... is...
I have to sit an breathe. "Run of the mill"?? Which mill and where!!!

That is the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen. The carve on a solid body 325 shape is IT!! Everything about this instrument is gorgeous. From the minimalist routing to the strap buttons, a stunner. A reissue AFG version of this combo 850 would be on order from me the second it was announced...

Thanks Tony, I haven't had that much excitement in the morning for an overlong period of time. I am now awake and ready for the usual day stuff.

Wow!

...Dean

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 6:39 am

I am curious as to the sound of the 850. The comparative sound to other Ricks.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:36 am

Hmmm, I'd have to say they do not have a 'Beatle-y' sound, more of the 50's kinda sound, very full...I think they are Strat/Tele killers, you can get many tone variations on the two-knob, two-switch setup.

Having said this, I'd bet that this particular Deluxe Combo 850 that started the thread sounds a bit different than one with a horseshoe p/up...

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:22 pm

That looks like a 58 neck.
The treble side of the peg head has the extra laminate
by the high E post.