Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I wanted you to see this interesting Rickenbacker as I thought that it might generate some discussion. So will we call it a Rose-Morris 1996, a 325S or perhaps something different?

It's the Bisonbacker!

Glen: I have been calling it the Gibepibacker. Whatever we call it, it is nice to see the two o'clock f-hole leaving the factory on June 11, 1964 or so.

Yes very interesting. Another little insight into timeframes back then. This one is stamped as an April '64 unit, but it wasn't shipped until that June. I guess this ties in well with the shipping of large batches to RM. Typically 25 or 50 I believe. The other interesting thing about this unit is that it's the last example I have of a 2 o'clock soundhole in my records. Now don't go saying that adds to it's value. Doesn't mean it's the last 2 o'clock RM1996 ever made.

Interesting Glen. The question that comes to mind is whether this instrument is worth the asking price given the considerable modification. Having said this, if it was the "last" two o'clock RM made it may add to its value.

It would be nice if someone bought this monstrosity just to restore it. I think that $4500. is still too high.

John: As the resident appraisal expert, what price is right for that piece before and after fixup? Is the serial number in sequence with the others referred to around here that are from April 1964?

Greg, thats a hard one to answer. To make it "right" again, it would probably cost at least $1250., possibly more. It needs: correct fretboard, redoing the headstock, correct back, correct roller bridge, removal of the "plaque", and a refin. Now, after ALL of that is done, it STILL would be hard to put a "value" on it. I know one thing, it still wouldn't be worth as much as a correct, non-restored '64 1996, right? If I could get it for $3500. from the seller, I probably would buy it and have it put back right.

John: If you bought it, you'd have to take the back off and the neck out and install a new neck with the correct fingerboard and headstock shape. Next put the new back on it. That Burn-style neck is not fixable. You would have $5000 in it at least if you paid $3500. I heard that he turned down more than that.

If you did all of this, would you make it round heal and voluted like all of the other 1964 April guitars floating around??

I hope a couple of dozen 2 o'clock 1964 325s drop out of the sky and drive the prices back down.

If you had to replace the whole neck, it wouldn;t be worth it. Wow, the only thing original would be the body top, guards, pick ups, tuners,and a couple of other pieces. Fah-ged-da-bout-it!

PS: I guess that this guitar originally came with rounded heel and volute, but we'll never know for sure........

Some people should not be allowed to possess tools.

John: If you owned it, do you have a luthier in mind? I know you have Randy Wood down your way.

What did you think of the price on the mid-late 1960s 381-6 project guitar?

I'm curious about thoughts on that 381 too. $910.00 for a stripped guitar with no hardware and bad binding sounds a bit steep to me- but then the old 381s are pretty hard to come by.

Very good point John. Does that mean that the thing is only good for parts value? heheheh. Who can say. I'd hazard a guess that the original neck would have had round heel and volute. Late April by my records.

If one was going to make a square heel and non volute neck, you may as well go the whole hog and make a replacement 'solidtop' body!

I have seen that 325 whatever on Ebay for sale....
I wonder if it sold???

FATRAT