Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi,

some months ago I got a Rickenbacker Mod. 425 V 63 in Burgundy. I traded it for a Gibson Les Paul that I played for some years. I´m not really familiar in Rics, but this one looked interested and sounds really good - although it only has "only" one pickup! But to be true I do not play it too much the last weeks and when I did it only at home.
The condition is really mint (the former owner didn´t use it, too) and so I would have a problem, because I´m a little afraid that it could get demaged or scratched on stage.
Now I´m thinking about to sell it, but it is not easy to find out what a fair price for such a guitar could be. With the "google-search" I found out that there have only a few of these been built (36 models in burgundy!) - and that was what the man said who gave that guitar to me.
For me it is a difficult situation now - should I sell it or keep it (but than unplayed!) this is a decision between the head and the heart.
I´m not a "real" collector - I have some guitars, but most of them I use to play. Does anybody have some more informations about this model? What was the first price when they came up to the market? When have they started to built them - and when did they finish? What could be a fair price for this model or what do they go for usually (maybe "usually" could be the wrong word when there are really built only 36 models ). I dont´have the original case for this, but it is nearly in as new condition, because it has been only in its guitar stand for the last few months.
Are these models sought after - would it perhaps make sense to keep it for some more years if there are chances that the prices will get higher for those?
It would be nice if there is anybody who could give me these informations.
Thanks and greetings from Germany
Ralf

Welcome, Ralf!

You indeed have an unusual guitar. The most significant question you ask is regarding valuation, and it sounds like you are struggling with whether you wish to be a player only or add "collector" to your hobbies, too.

Pick of the Ricks had one like yours, and you might want to contact them for some info on valuation. We also have some very knowledgeable collectors on the Forum, and perhaps they will chime in with some ideas.

Regardless, prices will of course rise on these.

Ralf, welcome to the Forum. The decision to be a "collector" (I'm not sure just one "spare" guitar makes one a collector) is entirely personal and should include consideration of your financial situation, namely whether you can afford to keep an unplayed guitar around. Another thing to consider is whether you plan on playing any Beatles songs and none of your guitars can get that Beatles sound; in that case, you should hang on to it.

I have two 450v63s, one Burgundy (near mint, virtually unplayed) and one Jetglo (played a little, some minor scratches), and I feel that they are currently underappreciated. They are really nice guitars! However, I have been thinking of selling or trading the Jetglo because its role has been taken over by my 1981 460 Burgundy.

One other thing for you to remember that there are fewer of these in Europe than in the U.S., and if the market ever becomes hot for them, the prices in Europe will be really high.

The single pickup model is somewhat less sought after than the 450V63 or the 460 models of which Gary speaks. To my way of thinking, two pickups makes a word of difference in the sound.

From an investment point of view, I would sell this one Ralf as I think it will be a while yet before the single pickup 400 reissue series solid-body instruments will appreciate significantly. Also, it doesn't sound to me as if you are likely to play it very much.

RicsRus (in the UK) currently has one for £1,095 if that helps?

US$1500 is an average price for a NOS 425V63 if you can find one. Some websites still show a burgandy model available here and there.

The Jetglo 425V63 IMO is the most prized due to it's George Harrison/Beatle connection.

FWIW, BP1095.00 = US$2006.

Nice homework Karl. Even more reason for Ralf to make hay while the sun shines.

I certainly agree that a Jetglo Model 425 is associated with Harrison, however, outside of the Beatles' 1963 fall tour including Sweden, I don't believe George ever used it again.

Also, I am not sure it figured in any of The Beatles' recordings.

Thanks Peter. Just trying to help.

It sure sounds like a 425 to me on 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' (that middle pickup Strat-esque sound).

IWTHYH was recorded at the peak of Harrison's use of his 425 in the Autumn of 1963.

I just purchased my fourth 425 last week!

Karl: And help you did Karl. Do you still have all four? I would love to see a photo of them.

There has been interesting discussion surrounding the use of the 425(420) on the Beatles' recordings, possibly IWTHYH. It would be nice to see more evidence of it. As you say the sound fits and it may be a single pickup.

Currently I only have two. 1961 Jetglo 425 and a recently acquired 1973 Jetglo 425.

I once owned a 1963 Fireglo 425 and a '99 Jetglo limited 425V63.

I sold the FG '63 425 back in the early 90's because it needed a fretjob. The fretjob was to cost the same for what I paid for the guitar!

The '99 Jetglo 425V63 was recently sold for a price that was too hard to pass up.

Tom Petty pulled out his vintage Firglo 425 during his San Diego show last week.

Correction.

My old 60's 425 was a 1964 model.

I guess the 'V63' made me type 1963.

Anyway, this new minty 1973 425 I recently picked up plays and feels just like my old '64 model. Came with original vintage plexi nameplate and toaster pup.

Cool guitar!

Hey Karl - do you want to make it 5?

Hi,

sorry that I couldn´t come back to this forum earlier! Many thanks for your ideas and for all that informations. As some of you may already have seen I offer this guitar at eBay. I thought about to keep it and the other day I thought about to hold it.... You need to know that I really love that Beatles sound (of course I do - I grew up with that music and my first reason to learn to play the guitar was to play some Beatles covers!). As I saw the first Rickenbackers on photos I thought "WOW, this is not only a piece of wood with strings on it - this is some kind of art - with that special design". So maybe that this was my intention (sorry, I hope this is the correct word??) to get that 425. But it is really true - when I don´t play it there is no reason to keep it anymore. And it doesn´t make sense to say I´m a "collector" when I only have one or two guitars in nearly unplayed condition.
And maybe, if I don´t sell it on eBay I´ll keep it for the next years ...!
Many thanks again!!

Greetings from Germany
Ralf