Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Ted Staberow's quote from John Hall about Autumnglo got me wondering if I had it wrong in my head. This is a quote from an early October thread, quoting from the
alt.guitars.rickenbacker faq

Subject: 5.26 What is the difference between Autumnglo and Walnut?

"The earliest version of Autumnglo was simply shaded brown. The middle clear areas on most of these old guitars have yellowed, but wasn't originally apparent. The next version was just Fireglo laid on rather heavily. The last version was back to that original brown, but in a satin finish, while the gloss version of that color was designated Walnut.

So when someone says Autumnglo, you always have to ask "WHICH Autumnglo"?"

[John Hall, [email protected], 2/17/2000]


So, Ted's probably right, but we also have to throw in the date of manufacture. According to the color chart on The Rick Page (Mike Parks' site), true Autumnglo went from 1956 to 1970, with Walnut going from 1973 to 1985, so there should be no overlap there. But JH's comment above seems to indicate that they were contemporary as matt (Autumnglo) and gloss (Walnut) versions of the same shade. I don't know how accurate Mike's chart is, but I've been using it as an oracle for years. I'd like to get this right for the book, so if anyone can help straighten me out, I'd appreciate it.

The 50's Autumnglo was redish and looked more like a dark Fireglo. The 70's Autumnglo was more of a dirty brown not the chocolately brown we know as Monty. The Rickenbacker staff had an unflattering way of describing the Autumn/Walnut color. It should not be hard to figure out.

You may notice that Mike Parks finish time line has a footnote saying Autumnglo was available in other years also followed by a link to a '76 Autumnglo. I bought that bass from him long ago and so have been watching them for quite some time.

I have noticed that once in a blue moon or so a matte finish (real) Autumnglo 4001 will show up on ebay and they are always from 1976. Maybe it was a special run for the Canadian market as Mike Parks states?

Mine is from '80

Years ago, my Rickenbacker dealer told me the same thing about AG being aimed at the canadian market. I was always doubtful about that. Could it be true?

1976 Autumnglo.

I thought glo=glossy.

Yes!The satin was for the Canadian market.

john, that's gorgeous.

There has never been a color aimed at the Canadian market, although Maple might be a good choice for that.

There's so much confusion about Autumnglo and how it changed. In the early 50's it really was it's own dye but by the end it was just dark Fireglo. It's documented on this gallery page, along with Two Toned Brown, which is another added element for confusion. At this point we can only be guided by what was written on the photos.

RIC 1950's Guitar Gallery

Nothing like hitting the link there John, and seeing my mother holding a guitar[makes me want to buy one]

I was looking at the gallery and I saw a silver box labeled ek-o-sound ... what in the world is that?

That's your mom Ken???

Just kidding dave,I meant like hair style, cloths, age, you know what they thought was sexy back then.

Ek-O-Sound was a self-contained echo effect. It recorded the signal on a disk rotating through oil, read it back later on the disk and had controls to mix the signals together. Gives a whole new meaning to "wet"! It wasn't as clean as a tape echo but interesting nonetheless.

Some years ago I lent an extra one I have to Ry Cooder- I guess he liked it so much I haven't gotten it back yet!

In the late 60's I had one that I modified so that a rheostat pedal changed the rotation speed of the disk- now that was a very strange sound but altogether appropriate for the era.