Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello,

This is my first post, but I thought someone out there can add some information/ideas to this. Back in 1986, I purchased a 360/12WB, Ruby Red. Due to the special color, I had to have it ordered from Rickenbacker. The dealer was an autherized Rick dealer (as per John Hall). I took delivery of the guitar in May, 1986. However, when I check the serial number (VC ###), it turns out have been built in March of 1982. Did a guitar really sit at the factory for 4 years??? Any ideas?

Thanks!

Joe

did this guitar come from a store that was a chain of store?
That is one possibility

another is ,sometimes the manufactuer has stopped all production on a model/color and they go to their dealer network and see if anyone has a guitar still in stock of those specs.You indeed may have a guitar that old that did not sell.

I don't know if Rick does this or not but I do know of several other manufacturers that do.This is NOT uncommon.

You are afterall looking for a product and if the maker can help out a dealer that feels they have a boat anchor and would love to move it ,especially after that long of time ....sure why not help out .Everyone is happy then.

Thanks for the quick response/input. The dealer I purchased the guitar from was a single shop, not a chain. I was led to beleive that the guitar was "built to order" by the dealer and Rickenbacker. It was only when I checked out the serial number a couple of years later that I found out when it was built. I waited close to two months for delivery, so I was a bit surprised when I found out about build date (or at least the s/n date).

It's not a big deal, but it was just something I had always wondered about.

Joe

Yes, a guitar Can sit in the factory for a while before shipped. In late April, 1970, I ordered my 1st Rick guitar, a Mapleglo 360-12 roundtop.At the time I got it, I knew little or nothing as to the relevance of the serial #s and dating, but found out that it was actually an Oct., '68 mfd.
guitar, and was indeed, what we now call NOS
[new -old-stock].

I wish you could order a Rickenbacker now and it be a 1968... a 1986 wouldn't be bad either really.....I dont guess that's relistic thinking is it ??? I can dream can't I ???
LON