Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi everyone-
Back in the mid-70's like most kids I aspired to play the electric guitar. At that time I bought a 3/4 size Rickenbacker off a guy for $75, figuring it would be a good guitar to "get started on". I never learned how to play- but found out later that the guitar might be worth keeping (it looks similar to the one Lennon played, but has some obvious differences). The numbers on the guitar are GK 4604 - and from some of the research I've done it appears to be from 1967 (?). I thought at first it was a model 325 (it has 3 pickups), but it has a "R" tailpiece and although it has five knobs, they are black with silver inserts that say "Treble Volume" and "Bass Volume". I also have the hardcase it came in.

Can anyone tell me what I might have?

Thanks for your assistance.

Mike

Pictures would help us out...if it has an 'R' tail it would be a 320. The knobs sound right for a '67. Is there an f-hole?

Yes, it has an f-hole- in fact, it looks a lot like the picture you have in your post (except it's black).
I'll try to get some pictures together this week. What is the history of a 320? Most likely not nearly as valuable as a 325 from that era?

Thanks,
Mike

Since the first ones were built in 1958, the short scale models were produced as:

2 pickups - 310
2 pickups and vibrato - 315
3 pickups -320
3 pickups and vibrato - 325

A 325 would be a bit more valuable, but not by much. I'll let others chime in with ideas on value, I don't keep up with the prices.

Here's a really cool site with lots of pictures of old 310s - 325s:

http://www.geocities.com/vintage325/

Hi Mike, welcome.

Sounds as though a 320 is what you may have, and we'll await any pics you post....It's always cool when we get a 'new' guitar to discuss.....

I tried uploading pictures but to no avail... I also tried copy/paste... Would love to show the pictures- maybe I could e-mail them to one of you guys-- and you could post them? Please let me know.
Thanks again,
Mike

Shoot me a PM and I'll post em

hiya!
i really hope u don't mind but i only really joined here cause i'd like some info on a couple of guitars i hav recently been given! readin thru the posts it seems u guys kno all there is 2 kno! anyway...i hav a 340/12 + 629/12 any info or value would b fab!!!
cheers muchly

sorry...620/12 oops!

both 1970's (early)

Tracey, if you could post some pictures of your guitars I'm sure the guys can tell you abut them in detail. Those are both nice models. Try searching the registry gallery here to see some others like yours for starters.

And welcome to the forum. I hope you stick around

Welcome Tracey. Here are some examples over the years.

From the Gallery. 620/12 340/12

A 620 / 12 from the early 70's would be really valuable since RIC never put them into regular production until 1980. I think there are only 3 pre 1980 625 / 12's, one of which is the Mike Campbell prototype from 1963.

Check the serial numbers to confirm the manufacture date.

Brian

Here is the Campbell '63 620/12, held by Tom on the "Damn the Torpedoes" album cover.

i wouldn't imagin it'd b a rare one surely? don't kno how my family would've come 2 hav it?