Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi there guys.
I noticed an interesting 365 on the bay, the seller claims this is the only factory installed bigsby...
Ebay item ID: 130243800793

From the images it looks like there was no R tailpiece there (no screw holes), but were there any factory installed bigsbys out there?
Is it possible it is indeed the only one?

I might be in boston in a few weeks... I am thinking about getting this one (If the wife agrees...)

Thanks.

Gil: This is a neat guitar, I suppose it is possible that it could be factory, although I don't agree with it being the 'only factory installed' Bigsby....I'd bet there are more out there...

Assuming that the guitar is a factory 365, then the Accent (if equipped) would have only been attatched with the strap pin anyway, no screw holes would be present.

Most guitars with an Accent will leave a 'footprint' where the little pads underneath the Accent unit rest against the top......I can't see this on this 365. Even if the Bigsby is an add-on accessory, it may have been put on a long time ago when the guitar was near-new.

Thanks.

Do you think $4K is a decent price for such an instrument?
Please see attached images, also what do you say about the saddles?

Thank you very much for your help.

Boy, that's a clean guitar. It's in super condition.

The grommets under the Bigsby are in about the same spot where the Accent pads would lay, so it's hard to say whether it had one on it before or not.....

The saddles are fine, they are what belongs on a vibrato-equipped Rickenbacker, like a 365---a roller bridge.

$4K? In this day and age, and for the condition, probably so.

I think it looks weird with the Bigsby mounted so high. Having it further down the ramp would be much more aesthetically pleasing. For 4k, looks matter.

If it is factory installed, perhaps Ric liked what Lennon did to his '58 325 with the Bigsby.

I say go for it, Gil, if you really want it!

Survey says?

Factory installed or not!?!?!

I vote factory job. The awkward Bigsby position with grommets (who would do that outside of a factory?) and lack of tailpiece screw holes/indentations are very convincing.

I think they put the B-5 that close because they recognized the need for a sharp string angle to the bridge. Not THAT ugly, IMO...just different.

I think at first glance it looks odd not to have a tailpiece on a 360. But honestly, I kinda like it.

That MG one has been relisted.

There is also, much cheaper, this more recent one with the Bigsby mounted 'where it should be' (IMO):

I wonder what they'd look like with a longer B-7 type Bigsby.

It would probably look better, as that's what is on my 1967 Gibson ES-335TDC, and it looks nice on that hollowbody.

Yeah. A B-5 mounted more towards the rear would put the handle end at the bridge. Real awkward.

Yes, and the angle might also be a bit awkward, too, as the the top of the body starts to slope down there.

BTW, the pic I posted is from one of Craig Witty's auctions.

I am trying my luck on it,
Hopfully I'll get it for the lowest amount ($3K), assuming nobody else will try to outbid me...