Back To The Finish

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 6:39 am

I am wondering when Mapleglo and Jetglo names were first introduced. In reviewing the early catalogues, yes I should get a life, I notice that the "natural" finish of Rickenbacker instruments is referred to as Blond in 1953, Natural in 1957 and 1958 and Mapleglo in 1968. The official Mapleglo must have arrived in the early 1960s.

It is also of interest to note that black is referred to as Jet Black in 1956, Black Diamond in 1958 and of course Jetglo by 1968. Jetglo must have appeared in the early 1960s as well.

Fireglo was an established name for this famous finish as early as 1958.

So let's get back to the finish and find out when these well-known and most classic of finishes got their names.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 6:49 am

My '72 4001 Fretless Mapleglo has "NAT" written in the neck pickup cavity.
Seems to me some gentlemen in the wood preparation/finishing department still called it "Natural" back in '72.

Or was "NAT" the gentleman's name?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:01 am

Peter, the 1961 450 I own has 'Brown' written in the cavity, but it is without any doubt a Fireglo guitar; it could be that the sales office used different terminology than the plant.

I think the Radio-Tel invoice on Lennon's 1964 325/6 listed the color as 'black'.....

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 7:05 am

John: I think you are correct in saying that those in the plant may have used different names for the finishes than those who were at the sales end of the operation.

The writings in the cavity are always of interest in researching an instrument, however, they have been shown to be misleading at times.

360dave · Post by **360dave** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:17 am

I have a Mapleglow 360 S/N 2T052 that has no visible writing inside the cavity.
I have been told that this serial number is from 58', however, the pots have a date of early 60'.

The control cavity and edges of the slash have red paint with clearcoat over it.

I am pretty certain that this guitar started life as Fireglow in 58' and was later retrofitted with the 2 piece, goldbacked pickguard and then refinished at the factory to Mapleglow.
In addition, I suspect quality was not anywhere as good as today's instruments because in addition to visible red paint when the guitar is fully assembled, there is a paint run on the top near the bridge pickup right where the forearm would rest.

I happened to be at the music store when this guitar came off the truck and I opened the box and case personally so I am certain that this instrument came from Radio-Tel this way.

The year before (59') a friend bought a Fireglow 365 and I am pretty sure the terms 'Fireglow' and 'Mapleglow' were in use at that time.
I know for certain we always referred to the colors as mentioned above. We slept with those guitars in those days....I no longer sleep with mine but it isn't far away either.....besides, the damn thing would just complain about my snoring anyway!!

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:29 am

I am looking at a 1966 Rickenbacker price sheet from The History of Rickenbacker Guitars by Richard Smith. The finishes referred to on this sheet are "Fireglow", "Jet Black" and "Natural" finish.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:37 am

Data from "Rickenbacker: Pioneer of the Electric Guitar" Rittor Music as posted on Mike Parks site has Fireglo from 1958 and Mapleglo and Jetglo from 1959.

It would seem, from several sources, that Fireglow (Fireglo) was coined around 1958 but that there is some inconsistency with regard to the beginnings of the Mapleglo and Jetglo finish names.

Perhaps John Hall will be able to clarify.

360dave · Post by **360dave** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:38 am

Hmmm...I am looking at a original 58' 'Spanish Guitars' catalogue from my files and it is exactly like the one shown on RIC's web site.
It shows a 365 exactly like mine and the finish is called 'Natural'.
I stand corrected on the 'Mapleglow' part of my previous post!!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 10:05 am

Dave, anyway you can post some pics of your Rickenbacker?? It is possible that it we can tell it's vintage from other design charectaristics that were unique to 1958 Rickenbackers, among other points of interest...Having said that, Rickenbacker used some sn#'s in the 1958 format in early 1960 as well....I'd like to try to help, and I'm sure others here would too, if you have pics of your baby....

Addition: I am thinking that that the first Rickenbacker that was invoiced as having a 'Fireglo' finish was from late 1959......Isn't this data in the Smith book?

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 2:36 pm

John: The Fireglo finish in advertised in the 1958 Rickenbacker catalogue.

360dave · Post by **360dave** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 2:41 pm

John...I am trying to negotiate a deal with my son for his Sony digital camera so hopefully, I'll be able to take some really great pix as well as .mpg.
I'll stick the lens up in the control cavity and we will see what gives!

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 2:54 pm

At least they don't name the colors as weirdly as car companies do..