Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was hoping to get some info on Kluson tuners used by Rickenbacker around November, 1964. (I'm trying to tart up my 460 in time for RIO this June...) There doesn't seem to be a shortage of vintage Klusons for sale on eBay and elsewhere, but I'm not sure which ones are period correct and unfortunately my guitar has two different types:

1) "Kluson Deluxe" written in two vertical lines on the enclosures, with (aged) white plastic tuning knobs. (I suspect these are the non-original tuners as I haven't seen a vintage rick with tuning knobs like these)

2) "Kluson Deluxe" written in a single vertical line on the enclosures, and regular steel tuning knobs.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, that would be much appreciated

Also, while I'm at it...if anyone has any extra (or knows where to find) control knobs from late '64 (chrome top, no writing, white line indicator on top, white circle indicator on bottom), please let me know! I'll post this in the wanted section but I thought I'd try here as well. Just need two. Thanks!

Good luck, Chris. It would be nice to have a great looking tart at RIO!!!

HA! Well, I figured it would be "that kind of party"...

Chris, at that in '64, you could try either. I believe the double line Klusons were just starting to be used in late '64. Its hard to pinpoint a date.

Hiya Chris....I'm trying to remember some details about your guitar when you brought it down for David and I to see.

A question: How many of each tuner is on your 460?

Also, I may have some news for you about the knobs... Send me a PM or e-mail me...

Thanks very much John & John - interesting that late '64 was a transition period...I wonder if any ricks were shipped with both single- and double-line Klusons around this time? My 460 has four double-lines at the corners and two single-lines in the middle positions. It's those plastic tuning knobs on the double-lines that make me wonder whether they're either later (full) replacements or that they've simply had the tuning knobs changed at some point (don't know if or why somebody would do that, though). They're not the pearloid tuning knobs that are sometimes seen on ricks circa 1965.

John S. - you've got mail

Here are some single-line Klusons apparently circa 1960 with the same tuning knobs as the double-line Klusons on my '64. First time I've seen these on an old Rickenbacker, but then again I've only recently started looking at these details.

http://cgi.ebay.com/original-1960-RICKE ... dZViewItem

Cool little guitar...

chronictown wrote:... 1) "Kluson Deluxe" written in two vertical lines on the enclosures, with (aged) white plastic tuning knobs. (I suspect these are the non-original tuners as I haven't seen a vintage rick with tuning knobs like these) ...

Do you mean this style?
My 1966 340 FG has this type of tuner, and it's completely stock. My 1966 Ryder 1000 (also all original) has them, too.

These were Kluson's budget line; common on Ryders and Electros. The 340 got a set because the assemblers ran short of the other Klusons that day, or week, or ?

doctorwho wrote:

chronictown wrote:... 1) "Kluson Deluxe" written in two vertical lines on the enclosures, with (aged) white plastic tuning knobs. (I suspect these are the non-original tuners as I haven't seen a vintage rick with tuning knobs like these) ...

Do you mean this style?

RIC340FGtuner.JPG

My 1966 340 FG has this type of tuner, and it's completely stock. My 1966 Ryder 1000 (also all original) has them, too.

Ryder1000FGtuners.JPG

I've sold a couple of sets on the Bay, from old lap steels. The Gibson guys love em....

Gary: yes, those are the ones! Very interesting to find out that this type of tuner was Kluson's budget line, and that these sporadically, as in the case on your 340, showed up on non-budget Rickenbackers. Thanks for the information, guys - that's one mystery solved.

Alas, I'm no closer to figuring out which Klusons on my 460 are the original ones. Well...perhaps I'll keep both types on even though the mixture looks a little funny

The 460, being a "deluxe" model, with binding and big inlays, would probably have had the metal-buttoned version.

I would have to agree with Paul.

Yes, that would make sense (smacks frontal cranium)...in addition to the fact that the metal-buttoned Klusons are the older of the two types given that they're single-line. Right...off I go on a hunt for some metal-buttoned single-lines