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Rick 350 1978

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:02 am
by vashin
Hey I'm looking at a rick for sale locally and it's a rick 350 jetglo from 1978 (according to the seller) with bigsby. Around how much should I pay for such a rick? Does anyone have any more info on it, also it's 24 fret.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:43 am
by sloop_john_b
I don't think 350's were being made that early. It could very well be a 325.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:43 am
by winston
Welcome to the forum James,

To be sure of the guitar's authenticity it would be helpful (to you and to us) if you obtain the serial number and check that against the RIC corporate website. Next tell us the overall condition of the guitar and what sort of case it comes with. With respect to the Bigsby modification it would be helpful to see a picture of the guitar as this would have been added on sometime after it left the factory.

Where are you located BTW?

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:01 am
by vashin
Hi, I'm located in Toronto, I'll try to get more information from the seller about the rick. Thanks!

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:07 am
by winston
That's great. See if you can get a pic or two James.

I suspect the seller is guessing at the year it was made. That's why the serial number is so important in this case.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:30 am
by vashin
He did say it was an R serial number, and has some low quality pics up, but since I'm at work I can't post the pics.

We are arranging a meeting so I can see the guitar, what should I keep my eye out for?

And his asking price is 1250 CAD right now

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:36 am
by admin
James: What is the next character after "R". If this is a Model 350 then it is likely a late 1990s (1997-1999, May). R is May and the next digit perhaps a 0,1 or 2 will give us the year. If this is not the case, then I suspect it may not be a model 350. But, as you look at the photos, is there a dot fret-marker on the third fret?

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:00 am
by jimmyi
I think this might be the same guitar that was on ebay last week. The seller may be able to give you some info on it.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/rickenbacker-70s-325-350-jetglo-bigsby-lennon-beatles_W0QQitemZ250004079040QQihZ015QQcategoryZ119022QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:58 am
by vashin
Yep! it looks like it's that one.

He told me that the Serial Number began with RH, he's not sure if bigsby is original or not.

There's a person seeing it tommorow I think, and if that person doesn't buy it I'm next on the list.

I'm guessing it's the person who bought that instrument on that auction is the one selling it now.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:07 am
by vashin
thanks for all the help guys!

Looks like he's selling it for $450 profit! I'm not even sure if he'll include the case, oh well I can think abou *****.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:51 pm
by winston
That's a strange looking "Rickenbacker" case. I wonder where he got that from? I have never seen one of those before.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:15 pm
by winston
The serial number listed checks out to be August of 1978.

350's came into production in 1985 I believe. Bjorn Eriksson's Rickenbacker Page supports that view also. So what is this guitar?

I am beginning to wonder if it is a real 350. The headstock looks to be an odd shape to my wonky eyes. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Strike that thought on the headstock. I just looked at my 350 and from a certain angle mine looks similar to the one in the photo. So it's just camera angle playing tricks on my eyes. The serial number has me baffled though.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:32 pm
by tblair
That's headstock is 80s-90s boat-paddle.

The serial number given isn't correct for that guitar.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:39 pm
by milo
I've got a Liverpool that serial numbers to 1984. I was always under the impression that this was the first year for them.

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:34 pm
by vashin
So what's the general consensus? That i's not a 1978? What do you guys think