Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Forgive my naivety, but I was wondering about the years considered vintage. Is 1984 as the cutoff common knowledge, and I'm unaware, or is 1954-1984 just a nice round number? Maybe ownership changed. I don't know...I haven't researched that deep. I wonder why a twenty four-year-old Rickenbacker is considered "modern." All brother's responses are welcome...the Natives have inquired...

I believe the '84 date was used as that is when Electro and Rickenbacker where combined and became RIC; John and Cindalee Hall bought the company from John's dad and created RIC.

Mr. JPS,
Appreciation friend...does this mean a guitar that just falls shy of thus said year, does not qualify as "vintage." My recently acquired '88 Mapleglo 330, or should I say "Goldenglo," much more apropos, screams of vintage. I have to say his chime and growl, weathered case, stunning age-glo and bar-room aroma agrees!
I would assume many would also agree that most notions are one's way of opining, and my opinion is any axe around the 20 year mark may claim "vintage" status. Some brothers may disagree...

The date set for this forum and the relate "modern era" forum was set somewhat arbitrarily so as to have cutoff points for discussion purposes only, it is not a set in stone date, as obviously, as we move forward in time, the concept of what is vintage will also move.

Many of us are vintage (and more as time goes on)...

Welcome, Joseph. As Jeffrey has comment, the time periods for modern and vintage are indeed somewhat arbitrary and meet only as rough guidelines. As time moves on the benchmarks defining these "eras" will change.

well vintage is rather vague term anyway, as we can all see many new guitars are marketed as "vintage"