Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am new to the forum, this being my first post.
My name is Randy Hansen, and I've played drums in the Orlando Fl. area for 2 and a half decades. retired about 5 yrs ago, but now thinking about trying again with maybe a little softer trio or something. Anyway, I also play guitar and piano just for my own pleasure and am a huge Ric fan. I own a model 450 which I was given back in 1983. It was already terribly abused and modified, making it unsaleable as a vintage original. Over the past few years, I have slowly been restoring it to as close to original as possible, but again, only for my personal satisfaction, so some customizing will be happening. I do have a question I would appreciate an answer from one of you fine Ric historians. The trc is the gold one with black lettering, but it does not say made in USA on it. It looks exactly like an original, so I was wondering if it is or not. I will post pics of this project soon if it's ok with the mods.
I have been reading this forum for several weeks, and found it through Bjorn's site while I was seeking info. You'all have me excted about trying out a 300 series style Ric some day. The pics are very appetizing and your passion is quite apparent in your posts. I only have the 450 and a Fender Lead II which looks and plays like a strat.
thanks for your time.
Randy

Welcome, Randy, and you can be sure we're here to help you with your project in any way possible.

We always ask that pics be posted, so we know exactly what you're talking about/bragging about/complaining about/sick of/overjoyed about/in love with/mourning selling.

450s have a great look and interesting history. Let's see yours!

Randy, it seems that you may have a pre '64 450. Rickenbacker truss rod covers did not have the "Made in America" until '64. They used the gold truss rod covers probably thru '61. I want to see a pic of your guitar! I own two '61 450s myself.

I love it!..... an 'almost vintage' newbie! Welcome, Randy - you'll get all the answers and encouragement you could possibly want and/or need here. Possibly more than you can handle!!

Welcome Randy. Should you have any difficulty positing a photo just send it to my [email protected] and I will be pleased to post it on your behalf.

It you like your 450, you might also fancy a 450/12?

Welcome!
A series of pics documenting your resto efforts would be very interesting, & these guys here are THE ones to help you out with your efforts & questions.

Welcome Randy! Vintage is cool... oh yeah, the guys have already asked for pictures...

Thanks everyone. your hospitality is second to none.
I will definately update my progress here and take all the advice, knowledge, etc. with a grain of salt, err.... I mean with great appreciation.:>)
This 450 has a white plastic pic guard and the high gain pickups which lead me to believe it is a 1970 or later. The condition I received it in back in 83 makes me think someone had to abuse it for at least 10 or more years for it to have been that far gone. The picguard is cracked and it might even have been refinished once before , because I see signs of FG under the JG that I thought was original. In any case, I am enjoying the refin process and might look around for another project after this one. I will try to post my pics now. The stripping process had begun before I realised that I should take some pics of my progress, but my son had already stripped the JG off and tried to go with the natural maple. I have other ideas in mind as you will see in the coming weeks ahead.

Hi Randy, I'll bet your 450 looked like this when it was newer. Check out the first guitar on this webpage:

http://www.homestead.com/aurs3/leftybass.html

I used to own this one which dated to 1961. This was a year that featured a white pickguard and a gold nameplate on many models. The construction of the body and neck and the layout of the controls leads me to believe that it may be from the 1960-61 time period..

The square heel and walnut headstock wings make it a pre '64. I still believe it is probably a '61 or '62. The Hi gain pickups, pickguard, knobs didn't come with this guitar, thats for sure. Should be a beauty when its finished.

Leftybass, you beat me by 3 minutes, ha ha!
Here's my '61 450.

wow!!
That's really interesting. All the more reason to hold on to this as a conversation piece to say the least. Now I know why I had so much trouble trying to identify the year. since it was changed so much from the original. The pic guard was cut probably to accommodate an after market bridge. I notice the jack is closer to the center at the rear, where mine is right between the vol. and tone controls.
I really appreciate your input and look forward to more!!
Randy

Leftybass,

The link shows a 420 that is only 5 numbers off of George Harrison. The guitar is not a 420, it is a 425. The 420 designation was introduced in 1965 when they added the vibrato to the 425. George bought his in 1963 thus it is a 425.

Yes Tony, you are correct in what you have noticed. The webmaster of the AURS site, our own esteemed John Williams, added the captions to the photos I posted to him. Since I am incapable of fault, John will be restrained and whipped severely for his indiscretions. LOL

Actually, he owns that guitar once again, it is really cool. My apologies to you and all, my page on the AURS site needs to be updated. There are a few on that page that have since left the nest...