Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

ok - 325 experts unite - guess the year!!

short pole @ neck: pots:

Sure looks straight up and down a 1967 325 to my eyes.

JM, is this the one from my neighborhood (Mill Valley, CA)?

JM, is this the one from my neighborhood (Mill Valley, CA)?

yup.

It's the SN: FA-729

I am just playing Devils advocate here:

I am looking at the one Paul W. restored and it has all long pole PUs. The neck PUs using short poles started some time in 1966 (i have 330/360's both ways). But my early 1966 FD have long poles in the neck position (My FH has short pole). But this guitar could have been set-a-side for a while for some reason, and Ric assembled it in late 1966, and that is why the Jackplate seems out of date sequence. The pots were made in the first week of October 1966, which indicates it was assembled in late 1996.

Most of the 60's 325's have some nibbling on the wiring hole, this does not. The top seems a bit thick as well.

The 60's Rics generally have the thick marker writing in the cavity, while mid-70s have pencil.

I have always wondered about some of the mid-70's 320/325's with toasters. Were they old stock from the sixites?

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D5

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D5

Love to see a compare of the cavity on a 70's 320/325 to this. And here all thoughts and opinions.

jsm610 wrote:ok - 325 experts unit

There's a 325 Experts Unit?

I don't know jack about 325's, but it sure looks great. Enjoy it John!

xcoyle wrote:I have always wondered about some of the mid-70's 320/325's with toasters. Were they old stock from the sixites?

The toasters and plexi TRCs would definitely suggest so...

Could we peek under the TRC and the Vibrato heel?

Could we peek under the TRC and the Vibrato heel?

Indeed.

I think it is definitely a 1966 Rickenbacker... Is it from January though? Does not seem likely given the pots.

Is it a returned Rose Morris 1996? Some stock got shipped back to the USA as I recall.

I wonder if Kenny at RIC might respond with some kind of Letter of Authenticity after checking the files...

There has to be some reason for the odd Serial Number 729 should have an FC plate.

Anyone correct me if I am wrong, but a return rose morris would have the long poles in all PUs.

I have 6 360's from 73-78. They all have thick tops and penciled lettering. None had the ED though.

I think it is stock and a great guitar, but if I was going to buy it as a 66, I would want to see another with the same or similar writing inside. Hate to be the lone pessimist but I guess it's my nature.

What is on the seam on the inside?

What is on the seam on the inside?

Dust. Its the unfinished wood...

Instruments sent back for repair, built as a custom order, or ones completed long after they were started, were sometimes fitted with approximately correct month/date code jack plates with very high numbers outside of the production count. It’s really not that uncommon.

On occasion, and at least as late as 1978, the factory’s ‘repair’ solution was to remove all of the hardware from a customer’s broken instrument and install it on a current production body. Based on what I see of the finish and control cavity, along with the repair serial number plate, I would be inclined to think that is the case here.

My .02¢