Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

That's entirely feasible, although one would assume that on such a potentially high-buck model they would seek counsel of a Rick authority.

They'd probably call Gruhn. (Grins toothily)

Or maybe they would call the guy who tagged a "G0" (That's G and a zero) as a '75 360/12 at my local GC last week. I pointed it out to the vintage guy and he was furious at the guy who took it in. Used the F word and everything.

Yes, this is a fairy recent 330, but nevertheless a nice guitar....not from the 70s at all.

Why not check the pots? Of course, the person with the '72 jack plate might also have had the harness, but it wouldn't be too hard to at least check it out...

Checking pots is a good way to determine the earliest possible ship date. Obviously, if we assume the pots are original, they couldn't be newer than the guitar. It isn't definitive in that the pots may not be original or could have been used in production long after they were original purchased from a supplier. For example, if the pots are date coded for 1986, the guitar couldn't have shipped from the factory before 1986, but it could have shipped later. I wonder how and why someone lost the original jackplate.

Whereabouts on the pots would I find a date code?
I found a series of numbers, R1379325's on the volumes and the small knob, and R137934 on the treble tone pot, and 07341 on the bass tone pot.

Are these date codes? If not, where do I look?
Thanks for being so helpful!

Oh, Randy, if this was the same guitar, (Purchased in Phoenix) it was never represented as a 72. They said the guy that traded it in was from Oregon or Washington and he'd told them it was an '83. This was what I thought I was buying. I discovered the serial number difference.

I've dealt with this salesman for over 5 years and he's always been very honest with me. I know GC isn't real popular with a lot of guitarists, but they give you the freedom to play whatever you want, whenever you want without a used car salesman turned guitar salesman hovering over you. It seems every independent shop I go into, you have to ask permission to even hold a guitar. It's very oppressive. I can understand why they might be like that, but if I have that experience, I never go back. Thanks

Go here for pot codes.

Thanks, Ken. That apparently places date of manufacture of the pots in 1993. Looks like I somehow missed a number on the treble tone pot.
Dunno whats up with the bass tone pot. I'm pretty sure those were the only digits on it. Looks like I've got parts from different guitars, jack and pot wise. Thanks again.