1997 vs 1998 PT

[jps]

So....... we'll be seeing you at MARF, Jake?

[JakeK]

If I can talk the folks into it and work around my school schedule, hell yeah!

[BobKat]

The 1998PT will have washers under the retaining bushings for the tuners. Also, of course, the third pickup and R. You could fake a 1998PT using an early 1997 SPC VB and changing the tailpece. But you would really have to know the finer details.

Later 1997s changed in very minute but significant ways, from color of finish to tuners to head shape and neck profile.

[shamustwin]

I came late to this party...
I haven't done in depth comparisons with my 1997's, but they all play great. The "newest", a 2000 I believe, has a thicker neck. I love that guitar, it's my main gigging one. I've been strat-free lately.

[ken_j]

For an extra $2500 I would rather buy a second guitar or amp, but most likely I would keep it in the bank.

[kerchang]

Get a PT! There's something very special about those models.

[AQuickOne]

I have a 1997SPC/VB made in (ironically) 1998. This guitar is nearly identical to the PT except the GUCCI pickguard. I have done much to this by way of electronics. Installed a vintage cap between the tone knob like the RM era guitars, made sure that the pU's were wound to the right specs of '64. I put some Thomastik's on it for that jangly sound. It really sounds perfect through an AC30. I would say, you can have a virtual 1964 RM Ric for less than half the cost. Mine was $1200 on Ebay 6 years ago, $50 more for upgrades, wahlah! I keep track of these on ebay. First, they rarely come up. Second, when they do, for some reason, nobody buys them! Are these just not popular with collectors? They seem to be the dog of the RIC family. I love mine however, sounds just like the first two Who albums.

[jingle_jangle]

Welcome, Jeff!

Now, about that "wahlah" thingie...maybe you mean "voilá"???

[shamustwin]

My ex-girlfriend played the viola.

[AQuickOne]

Sorry, strong aversion to all things French

[deaconblues]

Hey Jeff, welcome to the forum! Nice username...

It seems that the 1997/1998s have been undergoing a bit of a resurgence in popularity this year. Prices are now up to around $2500 USD.

[AQuickOne]

Thanks.
I am glad to hear that more people are taking notice of these and their worth to the RIC family, they really were/are great guitars and need to be recognised.

[collin]

I have a 1997SPC/VB made in (ironically) 1998. Mine was $1200 on Ebay 6 years ago.......I keep track of these on ebay. First, they rarely come up. Second, when they do, for some reason, nobody buys them! Are these just not popular with collectors? They seem to be the dog of the RIC family..

well, 6 years ago it was 2002, which would have made your 1997SPC only a four year old used guitar, and a model that had only been discontinued for about a year or so, hence the low price.

It's natural for any discontinued model to go up in price. For some reason (?) they didn't sell massive numbers of them when they were available (largely, I believe because it was similar in price to the more deluxe 360v64 model), hence their somewhat rarity these days.

I wouldn't call them the dog of the RIC family though, they are quite collectible and have been so for at least four years now. I do agree though, that they are important models in the Ric family.

Cheers,
-Collin

[AQuickOne]

Here is one, a plain 1997 on ebay right now. It is in Austrailia, so I don't think it will sell. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0292521181
Price seems too high, just my opinion.

[AQuickOne]

I think another reason they did not sell very well when they were available, was because most people who were new to Rickenbacker were confused by the F hole. Lets face it, RIckenbacker's look has always been about the cool catseye soundhole.