Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Just a general question which I should probably know but don't. Is the body thickness different on Ric 450-12's than on the 6 string 450's?

I think they are exactly the same. My '66 450/12 and my '64 ES-16 have the same body thickness. I've never measured them but they feel the same.

Interesting I have a 1967 and a 1978 Ric 450-12 and they both have the same body thickness. I also have a very early 1960's Ric 450-6 that is 1.5 times thicker than the 12 string 450's. It is quite noticeably thicker than the 12 strings. The 6 string 450 also has the old head stock logo (oblong metal with raised letters )

Len: Great observation. While you are at it, why not measure the thickeness of your guitars and post the information here.

Len, yours is most likely a '60 450. They were thicker in '60 than in '61, '62, etc.....

I had a '61 that had the thin body, it was just like the one JWilli has. I'm thinking the cutoff for the thick-body 450 was early 1961, but it could have been a bit earlier. I miss that guitar...<sniff>

Thats ok Leftybass, I have two '60 450s. You know that you can play them anytime. :-0

...my guitars are your guitars too, pal. You'll just have to play lefty with some of them!!

Thanks for the info. I did the measurements and the 12 string Ric 450 is approx. 1 1/4" thick and the 6 string Ric 450 is just under 1 3/4" thick.

I can't really make out the serial number on the bridge plate on the 6 string but looks like 4G 873A which according to the Ric web site dates it as a 400 Series model manufactured in 1958?

Nice work. Thanks Len.