The Combo 850

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:26 am

Dale, 'Betsy' was and still is in a state of dis-assembly at the time of the Fest, but it was there. It was really cool for David and the rest of us to solve the mystery of it's origins. Small world.

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:24 am

Is that the solid longbody? What's the official word on it?

jumpindave · Post by **jumpindave** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:29 am

I wasn't aware of this guitar and missed it somehow. Are there photos of it posted anywhere?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:44 am

A few pics of Betsy:
http://web.mac.com/jc_williams/iWeb/RIC%20PICS/Betsy.html

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:01 am

To catch things up, David bought a guitar about 4 years ago that had all the hallmarks of 'what the heck is it' about every detail. None of the measurements were metric and the guitar was finished in nitro, but had later 70's electrics(Dimarzio HBs if I remember right). We thought it may have been an old Rickenbacker design-study, or a lunch-box employee job of some sort, there were many theories. You could see on the peghead where it had the name 'Betsy' on it at one time. Where did it come from?? Was it started in the '50s??? Hmm......now we know..

Maybe David will chime in later.....

jumpindave · Post by **jumpindave** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:27 am

Wow! That's the ticket. Is that an non-lacquered fingerboard? I haven't been keeping up with the forum and didn't realize these existed. I've had it in the back of my mind for the past several years that I would like to see a new solid body 850 based model featuring the carved top, shark fins, rosewood non-lacquered FB, but with the RIC Humbuckers. I think it would be very contemporary & marketable.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:39 am

Looks like an L.P killer!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:16 am

Now we know what, John S?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:02 am

....The 'rest of the story', as another Paul is known to say from time to time. The guitar ended up being a creation of Dale's many years ago and not from the 50's as we speculated previously. We actually thought it may have been even something Rossmeisl fiddled with due to it's styling...

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:17 am

John The pickups are Seymour Duncan Distortion models from the late 70's.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:01 am

That's cool, Dale. I never got a good look at the p/ups when it came in. After David bought the guitar the first thing he did was take it apart to check it over, and I don't think it's been back together since. I'll have to get him to put it back together so we can hear it wail through an amp!

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:19 pm

Do my eyes deceive me? J-J-Jumpin' Dave???

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:02 am

Dave, I agree with you about the 850 and some other models(4005,360 Capri)I have talked to John about a Custom Shop, we'll see what the future holds.

jumpindave · Post by **jumpindave** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:56 am

Yes, Sir Andrew. It is I. I just stopped in to make my semi-annual post. Custom 850's. It sounds like the type of thing that would interest you.
Dale, Great looking guitar. Maybe David will put it back together and bring it to a future confluence.

customxke · Post by **customxke** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:28 pm

All this reissue this, triangle inlay that.....I must have an 850. Must.
Like a peach needs its fuzz, like a bee needs its buzz. (remember that episode of Giligan's Island. Sometimes that Giligan made me sooooooo mad). Oh...The Sacred Cows episode of Get Smart was cool too. And I want an 850, or even a measly 650.