1981 left handed 450 6 string question

[bazzy05]

I have a 1981 left handed 450 jetglo 6 string in very good condition. does anybody know how many were made and how much is it worth? thanks.

[wmthor]

Would Leftyguitars please pick up the white courtesy phone.

[rkbsound]

You should post this in the Appraisals section, although I'm sure you'll get some good responses here! I vote about $1400.00. "Very Good Condition" might need some photos, though. On the lower end, probably $1100.00.

[leftybass]

'How many' would be a tough question, although it is safe to say not many were made during the run. They are uncommon from any period.

How much? If you have the ability to post pics of the guitar then this would be a great help.

[admin]

Paul: As Lefty says, a tough question but nonetheless I find it intriguing.

To begin, in a decade of researching Rickenbackers and collecting data for the Rickenbacker Register we have only 160 left handed instruments on record which represents about 2.5% of the total number of entries. While imperfect, around 2-3 % of all Rickenbackers made appear to be left-handed. With a sample size of over 6,000 instruments I believe that this estimate is close to the truth. There is, naturally, a margin of error in this but it beats a guess.

Moreover, of all of the lefties in the Register not a single one is a 450, be it six or 12 string.

Finally, in 1981 we are getting to the end of the 450 era in practical terms, with the exception of the small run of 450 reissues in the late 1990s.

While we await the comments of the "lefty guru" I would think it safe to say that the number of left-handed 450 six strings produced in 1981 is less than a handful. In practical terms, seeing as these instruments would not likely produced without an order, I will go out on the limb and suggest that it is very close to being "one of a kind."

[bazzy05]

Here are some pictures,and thanks for the reply. The bridge is not original. its from Winfield vintage.

[sloop_john_b]

Wow, never seen a lefty one before!

[collin]

haha, I like the ghetto case lining too. It looks like couch material and a wooden neck brace?

[jps]

haha, I like the ghetto case lining too.

it looks like Jeff Rath used to own it.

[bazzy05]

When you mean "one of a kind" does that mean its an extremley rare collectors guitar? I'm just trying to see what this guitar is worth.The funny thing is i have been playing the bejeebuz out of this thing for the past twenty years.

[sloop_john_b]

When you mean "one of a kind" does that mean its an extremley rare collectors guitar?

Yes, but "extremely rare" does not always translate into big money, and I believe that's the case here. Lefty instruments always have very limited appeal.

[bazzy05]

It seems leftys are always getting the short end of the stick!

[kiramdear]

I like it that the lefty ricks smile back at one

[beatlefreak]

Not any more. RIC is now manufacturing left handed TRCs.

[kiramdear]