1970 Rickenbacker 1998??

[Rdavis]

Hi there, I’m new to the forum and I’d appreciate your advice! I own what appears to be a 1970 Rose Morris Rickenbacker 1998. Fantastic guitar and one I love playing. Has anyone seen a Rose Morris guitar made after 1969? Despite having a 1970 serial number, it has a lot of earlier 60’s features which makes me think it’s a 1964 that has had its jackplate replaced with one from a 1970 guitar. Doesn’t feel very likely tho’ .. But! …It has a 1963 potentiometer (the other 4 are later replacements), black knobs with sanded undersides ie ‘60s originals, not later replacements, blue mid 60s capacitor, earlier 60s toaster pickups with dimples. Interestingly the jackplate is also on upside down and doesn’t fit well the other way round.. I’d appreciate members’ views on whether I could be right? Thank you

[maxwell]

I have nothing for you, unfortunately. I just want to mention that your photos are really, really good.

[Rdavis]

Thank you

[mike_d]

Wow! What a cool guitar! Where’s Collin? He might have some thoughts on this one.

[Rdavis]

Thanks I’m also fortunate to own a rose morris 1964 1995 (615) which I believe is quite rare as they weren’t popular and therefore Rose Morris didn’t make a repeat order. Mine is DA42, one of the first batch of 300 guitars shipped to Rose Morris. It’s currently away being restored - here’s a picture pre-restored. I’ll post a picture when it’s back. Despite its unpopularity, I think it’s a great playing guitar with a great sound. Really powerful tight bass too

[collin]

Wow! What a cool guitar! Where’s Collin? He might have some thoughts on this one.

At your service!


Interesting guitar, there isn't a lot of info to go on. Without question, the jack plate is not original to the guitar. Rose Morris exports ended in 1967 and most made that final year looked different (sound hole in a different position).

A 1970 Rickenbacker would also have a white nut and "Made in the USA" on the truss rod cover would be parallel with the nut.

While most of the wiring harness is replaced, the one remaining from late '63 is the most likely indication of when this guitar was built because pots generally date 3-5 months before production. Using that as a rough guideline, that puts production of this guitar in the first couple months of 1964 (there were batches of 345S/Rose Morris 1998 models throughout Jan-April 1964).

@Rdavies what are the pot dates of your RM1995 model? (DA42). That was shipped in February 1964 and could give a clue about the date of production for the RM1998).

[Rdavis]

Hi Collin,

Thanks that’s really helpful and is a step towards solving the mystery.. See attached photo of DA42. The mixer pot date on DA42 is the same as on the 1998 mixer pot - 48th week of 1963. So I’m thinking it’s not unreasonable to assume they’re from the same batch!

Rob

[collin]

Hi Collin,

Thanks that’s really helpful and is a step towards solving the mystery.. See attached photo of DA42. The mixer pot date on DA42 is the same as on the 1998 mixer pot - 48th week of 1963. So I’m thinking it’s not unreasonable to assume they’re from the same batch!

Rob

It's certainly possible and even likely, yep.

If going by that one remaining pot, it's most likely among the first two batches of RM1998 models. The first batch included both "DA" (Jan) and "DB" (Feb) serial numbers, and shipped in February. Given the increased production at that time to meet orders for Rose Morris, it's a safe assumption that resources on parts like potentiometers would run out faster than they did in '63.

The second batch of RM1998 models were all "DC" (March) and shipped in April of 1964. I haven't taken any apart from the DC batch to know what the pot codes are, but that would help narrow it down for you.

In any case, I think it's definitely an early '64 RM1998. Shame about the input jack swap and I wonder why that happened.

[Rdavis]

Thanks Collin yes that makes sense. I wish I knew its history - no idea why someone would replace the jackplate with another rick jackplate. Unless it was an accident at a repair shop.

[Rdavis]

Thanks Collin yes that makes sense. I wish I knew its history - no idea why someone would replace the jackplate with another rick jackplate. Unless it was an accident at a repair shop. Or maybe it was hard to get spares many years ago…!

[maxwell]

I am not unfamiliar with guitar parts/components. I'm betting, though, that I'm not the only person wondering what the object is that you're displaying in the (your) fourth photo, IMG_3924. What is it?

[jps]

I am not unfamiliar with guitar parts/components. I'm betting, though, that I'm not the only person wondering what the object is that you're displaying in the (your) fourth photo, IMG_3924. What is it?

That's the underside of a knob.

[Rdavis]

That’s correct. I understand the underside of the original 60’s knobs were finished on a sanding machine, whereas newer replacements are not. So the photo shows what appears to be an original 60s knob with sanded underside.

[jps]

I'll have to check the four knobs I have from my old March '67 330.

[Rdavis]

Would be an interesting comparison. Please let me know!