Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The number of frets went from 21 to 24, sometime around '75-'76, presumably to satisfy players who wanted a bit more upper craziness. It was that time--players were stretching out a bit more.

Definitely earlier than that, Paul. I recall some 360's circa 1970 with 24-frets, bound headstocks, and crushed pearl inlays (remember those?).

With 330's, the change did happen around '75-'76. They weren't selling a ton of 300-series guitars in the 70's; I wouldn't be surprised if that stuff was basically leftover stock.

brammy wrote:Thats obviously a re-wired Rick, right?

ric-slider.jpg

Yes, a long time ago but not by me. This is my '68. You can get tons of sounds out of it....it was a studio guitar in Nashville for years.

Nice rich coloring on this 370... not too "orangy" like some late model 360's I've seen

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-2008-Rick ... 240%3A1318

Some 370's appear to have the fret inlays go completely across while some are the regular shorter style.
This doesn't appear to be a 6 vs 12 string thing, as I've seen it both ways.
Which models get which inlays?

brammy wrote:

370jet_0489.jpg

Some 370's appear to have the fret inlays go completely across while some are the regular shorter style.
This doesn't appear to be a 6 vs 12 string thing, as I've seen it both ways.
Which models get which inlays?

370fg.jpg

370t.jpg

It has everything to do with when the guitars were made.....not so much model-specific.

The top pic is a new guitar from 2008 (full-width), while the other pics are guitars that have the style used from around 1973 until 2007.

Vintage deluxe Rickenbacker guitars from 1972 and earlier have full-width inlays of different material...mainly crushed-pearl, but this varies too the farther you go back.

thanks much.
My humble opinion is that the shorter inlays look a lot nicer than the full width.

jingle_jangle wrote:The number of frets went from 21 to 24, sometime around '75-'76, presumably to satisfy players who wanted a bit more upper craziness. It was that time--players were stretching out a bit more.

Also supposedly to reinforce the neck joint. Personally, I think 24 frets + 3 pickups = absolutely hideous.

yup.... 21 frets rocks.
Some people may find a use for those teeny weeny 22nd-24th frets, but I aint one of them.

24 frets ain't for me. Sorry, I'm mostly a rhythm player, so I have no use for the 3 extra frets. Really, I have no use for anything beyond the 12th fret.

JakeK wrote:24 frets ain't for me. Sorry, I'm mostly a rhythm player, so I have no use for the 3 extra frets. Really, I have no use for anything beyond the 12th fret.

yup me too.... well, the 13 and 14 and 15th come in handy occasionally, but any more than 21 is a waste of arm reach
... and LOOK of the guitar

If 21 was good enough for Johnny, 21 is good enough for me

Johnny didn't have a choice!

brammy wrote:Thats obviously a re-wired Rick, right?

ric-slider.jpg

Hmmm 3 tone pots and a progressive Strat type fader?

Rick prototype or retro indeed?

Si........

leftybass wrote:

brammy wrote:Thats obviously a re-wired Rick, right?

ric-slider.jpg

Yes, a long time ago but not by me. This is my '68. You can get tons of sounds out of it....it was a studio guitar in Nashville for years.

AWESOME guitar.