Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am new to the forum. I have a 1968 360/12 that I purchased used some time in the early 1980's. I bought it from a music shop in Northern Virginia when I used to live in DC. Unfortunately, the truss rod cover was missing when I bought it. The salesman clued me in to how difficult it is to get these so he made me a blank one out of white plastic. I also later realized that the upper pick guard was missing. I don't think this is a clone or copy-my local music store says it's a real Ric.
I did contact Rickenbacker a few times, but as you know they are very strict about replacing the covers with out at least a piece of the original.
Recently, Ric suggested I look on ebay but don't see any for sale right now.
I really don't play guitar much any more and would like to sell most of my stuff. Of course, It would be a lot easier to sell with the proper truss rod cover and pick guard.
Any suggestions? (I know I could order an upper pick guard and screws from Ric-will the new ones fit/match?).

Yep, you're in a pickle.

You should upload some photographs and the serial #, then the experts here can surely steer you in a direction. '68 was a good year.

Here are some pictures of my 360/12. The serial # is 570 HC. I purchased the Ric-O_Sound in the 1980's.

Welcome to the forum, Bruce. You may be in luck for replacing your TRC. There is a '68 TRC on Ebay right now. Be prepared to pay for it though - The bidding right now is $49, but vintage plexis usually sell for between $200-$300. This would be your chance to get a period correct TRC for your guitar - which by the way, is beautiful. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-LOGO-T ... 20adbe60f2

beatlefreak wrote:Welcome to the forum, Bruce. You may be in luck for replacing your TRC. There is a '68 TRC on Ebay right now. Be prepared to pay for it though - The bidding right now is $49, but vintage plexis usually sell for between $200-$300. This would be your chance to get a period correct TRC for your guitar - which by the way, is beautiful. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RICKENBACKER-LOGO-T ... 20adbe60f2

It'd be a shame to modify that one, as it's for a six string. It should be preserved instead of carved up to fit a 12er.

A better move would be to contact this seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Vintage-1960s- ... 2ea87397a6

This is a 12 string vintage plexi TRC, from the mid-late 60's. This is identical to the TRC that was on your guitar.

The seller has relisted this TRC many times, and might be persuaded if you contact him directly (or just stay tuned, I'm sure it will be relisted). I bought a similar TRC from him a couple months ago, and the deal was great.

His BIN price listed ($269) isn't too bad for a vintage 60's TRC---just so you know where prices usually lay.

BTW....Welcome Bruce! Nice Rick.

Just to give you an idea, I paid $250 for a '66 12-string TRC about a year ago.

I'm confused. Is the TRC on e-bay correct for my guitar?

bcoop53 wrote:I'm confused. Is the TRC on e-bay correct for my guitar?

No, technically speaking.

The one Kris linked you to is period-correct, but not correct for a 12 string Rickenbacker. It would require that the long sides be cut down to allow for the octave strings on each side.

The TRC I linked you to (expired ebay sale that went "unsold") is correct for your guitar. All plexi truss rod covers from '64-'68 will have the same color/text etc, but there are size differences between six and twelve string TRCs.

Like I said, contact the seller of the 12 string TRC. He seems pretty eager to sell that thing, and it's been relisted at least six times. I bought a similar TRC from him a few months ago, and he was easy to deal with. I don't see where else you will find a vintage 12 string TRC (except a $500 example at Rhoads Music)

Thanks. Unfortunately I had already put a bid of $75 on the one currently on ebay. Hopefully this won't hold up. When I tried to contact the other seller (expired auction), ebay gave me a warning. Do you guys have his email address?

collin wrote:The one Kris linked you to is period-correct, but not correct for a 12 string Rickenbacker. It would require that the long sides be cut down to allow for the octave strings on each side.

The TRC I linked you to (expired ebay sale that went "unsold") is correct for your guitar. All plexi truss rod covers from '64-'68 will have the same color/text etc, but there are size differences between six and twelve string TRCs.

Actually, the TRC at the link Collin provided is not exactly the correct one for your guitar, either. Beginning in 1968 (even March), the "Made in USA" lettering would be parallel to the nut, and perpendicular to the "Rickenbacker" logo. If you Google (or GBase) other 1968- era guitars, you'll see what I mean. Good luck with your search.

Thanks for help. By the way, I was able to rescind my bid so no harm.
I will continue to look around.

I contacted Ira Marlowe and bought the TRC that he had previously listed. I am awaiting shipment. My next task is to find a replacement for my missing upper pick guard. I see that Rickenbacker offers this part (and screws) on their site. Will this work with my 1968 model or should I look for a vintage one? If so, any ideas who may have one?
Other then that, my 360/12 is ready to go.
You guys have been real helpful.

Fantastic Bruce---glad you could score that TRC!


As far as the pickguard top, the one in the Ric boutique will not work for you. AFAIK, they only sell one for 24 fret models, which will have the wrong spaced cutaway for a 21 fret model (neck position in wrong spot).

I think a better move would be contacting Tony at Pickguardian - http://www.pickguardian.com He should be able to sort one out for you easily enough.

Glad you got the TRC.

+1 on Pickguardian.

Woodie wrote: Actually, the TRC at the link Collin provided is not exactly the correct one for your guitar, either. Beginning in 1968 (even March), the "Made in USA" lettering would be parallel to the nut, and perpendicular to the "Rickenbacker" logo. If you Google (or GBase) other 1968- era guitars, you'll see what I mean. Good luck with your search.

FWIW, I did a brief survey of 1968 12 strings on the Register that had headstock photos. These included 330-12, 336-12, 360-12 and 366-12s. Of the nine 1968 12-strings, only one had the "Made in USA" parallel to the nut. The other eight had the "vertical" lettering on the side. I believe RIC was slower to change over to the parallel lettering on 12er TRCs in 1968, as they may not have been selling as fast in 1968 as they were in prior years.

In any event, Bruce, welcome and good luck with that upper guard! If you run into problems, let me know. I have a 1968 360-12 and would be happy to make a tracing of the upper guard on mine and send it to you or Tony at Pickguardian. In order to avoid a mismatch, it may be best for you to make a tracing of your lower guard and send that to Tony, so that the holes on the new upper guard will match.