Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi, just wondering why 1979 is the cutoff year for vintage ricks?

Glen: Are you sure you want to know? My favorite hamburger joint offers a #1, #2, #3, #5, and #6. I tried to order a #4 once and was told in no uncertain terms that "There ain't no #4, and there ain't never been a #4". I decided not to risk violence by pursuing it any further. I still wonder why there isn't a #4...

Well, Peter will have to chime in here....But if I may speculate, he may have been applying the 25-year rule simply as a model. When we were speaking of years to cover, this didn't come up in the discussion.

To some extent this is purely arbitrary. I think of modern instruments beginning in the 1980s and to some extent this roughly represents John Hall's return to RIC. Correct me if I am wrong on the date of your return Mr. Hall. By default, the period before became, at least in this case, more vintage.

To me, the vintage Rickenbackers are still those before 1970, however, again this is arbitrary.

Cool. I didn't even know John departed at one time and thus could possibly return. By the way, has anyone put together a sort of cheat sheet or quick reference chart that reveals when the major changes were made to RIC models over the years?

Randy, perhaps #4 is still being tested by the FDA as a consumable food for humans.

Because we said so.

Personally, I would have cut it off at 1984, because unless I'm mistaken that was the last year for x-braced 300-series Ricks, and the last year for the old-style truss rods. After '84 the headstocks were enlarged on all (non-reissue) guitars as well. Lastly, in September 1984 Mr. Hall Jr. acquired the company from Mr. Hall Sr., starting a new era in Rickenbacker management.

What the heck are you guys talking about?

Kenny, we rae talking about the distinctions defined by the two categories here on the Forum
(Every Little Thing: Vintage Rickenbackers 1954-79) and (Sweating the Details; Modern Rickenbackers 1980-up).

I was being facetious in my last terse reply, but I have to say that Glenn Sadin makes an excellent set of points here. I agree completely. Enough that maybe a change is in order. Peter?

I had made the suggestion that we start with 1954 as the beginning of everything, for it was the first year of the Hall era. Bakelite Steels and Frying Pans etc...are covered elsewhere on the Forum already, and there are others who know far more than I do about those, it was a no brainer.

As far as changes go, I'll go with the flow...it's Peter's call.

Good, informative answers here. The Olympics weren't the only thing happening in So. Cal in '84, for sure.

^ Yeah I was being born.

Gotcha Bob. Sorry, I was fashionably late.

I think Glenn makes a good point too. There is quite a bit of difference between the cross-braced Ric's and the later ones...