Combo 400 - '56 or '58?

[jdogric12]

Hey gang. Is my Combo 400 a '56 or '58? It has the DeArmond pickup. An ebayer emailed me saying he knows of a '57 with two toasters, and thinks mine is a '56. I do have to say that when I held Mike Parks's '56 400 CG next to mine they were eerily similar. No serial, so no way to know for sure, probably. Expert opinions please! Idiot rants are welcome too. Pics are in the ebay auction (see for sale section here).

[customxke]

I believe the '56 had a different pickguard shape. Let's call yours a '57.

[jdogric12]

Interesting! Thanks! Anyone else?

[libratune]

I believe the 400 model had the DeArmond pickup in 1956 and 1957, and that the 450 had toasters. The earliest 450 I can find is a 1957, and it has 2 toasters. I believe by 1958 the 400 had switched over to a toaster, but I can't find an example.

1956 Combo 400 Brown

1957 Combo 400 Black

1957 Combo 450 Cloverfield Green

[jdogric12]

Thanks guys. You are the best!