Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When did the big 'paddle' headstocks arrive - I have one . . . .

I think it needs to become aestheticized the way that Fender CBS stocks are now . . . So till then I'll make due . . . but after that I'll know its special.

In fact If I work on it I can appreciate it avant la lettre - as the pomo theorists would say.

Anyone have glorious pics of their paddle headstocks?

You mean like this one?



These belong to my '82 320 and '93 325V59, respectively. So that narrows down the date a little bit. Esthetically, neither one of them bothers me. Larger or smaller, both styles look good to me on different guitars.

1984/5 - early 2007.

sloop_john_b wrote:1984/5 - early 2007.

Does this mean the newer ones are no longer that large

. . . if so then it won't be long till these are the aesthetic grail!

That's right - RIC has reverted to the smaller headstock size.

Rickenbacker moved to a larger headstock in the early 80s, about `83 or `84, as part of transition from Kluson keywinds to Grover and Schaller Keywinds. A friend's early `84 WB has Grovers and the larger headstock, and my first WB has a larger headstock and Schallers.

These early larger headstocks are not quite the "Paddle" style headstocks of the later 80s, coinciding with the use of Schaller "minis". The later large, paddle style headstocks have sharper corners and resemble the C58-type headstock, while the earlier large headstocks have more rounded corners and are sort of "in between" the smaller vintage profile headstock and the later paddle style.
My 11/84 AZ Blue WB: Paddle Style Vintage style:

I can't really tell but I think mine might be the in between . . . either way its a great looking guitar and will look even better when I'm done makeing it 'my own'.

I suppose I should locate its serial # and find out when it was made.

I've observed (could be wrong) that it was the Schaller transition (away from sticky, imprecise old Klusons) that brought on the wider headstock.

However, during this period, there were times when Grovers were used instead of Schallers, perhaps because of overstock or a glitch in the supply chain. I have more than one Rick 6-string guitar from this era with a paddle headstock and Grover Rotomatics, on which headstock the large Roto tuning keys are within 1/16" of the edge of the headstock, leading to a lot of paint chipping while the guitar was being tuned to pitch. I can't believe this was intentional--rather I think it was a buildup (actually decrease) of cumulative tolerances.

So, I think the Schallers were planned for and the Rotos were an occasional stopgap.

there are also few guitars from this transition era that have slimline grovers...instead of rotomatics...and there were at least couple guitars that had those big rotomatics on small headstock - including one 198x jetglo 620/12 i used to have..it was quite tuner crowded space there on that headstock heavy guitar...

smaller headstocks were restarted bit earlier than 2007...i just went to check and yes indeed my mid 90's 330 has much larger headstock than my 1999 660/6 ...or 2004 660/6 but that could be due to "reissue" status of 660

grazioso wrote:there are also few guitars from this transition era that have slimline grovers...instead of rotomatics...and there were at least couple guitars that had those big rotomatics on small headstock - including one 198x jetglo 620/12 i used to have..it was quite tuner crowded space there on that headstock heavy guitar...

smaller headstocks were restarted bit earlier than 2007...i just went to check and yes indeed my mid 90's 330 has much larger headstock than my 1999 660/6 ...or 2004 660/6 but that could be due to "reissue" status of 660

The 660 does indeed have a smaller headstock because it's a VRI guitar. the 325 C58 has a big paddle style headstock because that's what the original had back in `58, IIRC.

The 381/12 I'm playing in my avatar photo is a `91 RI model, with the smaller headstock and Klusons, of course.

Graham Griffiths has an unusual FG `62 375 "Chet Cox Signature model" with a larger headstock akin to that on a C58 type model, and Klusons.

Wes Mitchell had 60s MG 360 OS with the larger Grovers on a smaller headstock. The Grovers were original equipment. IIRC.

I'll see if I can take some close up comparison photos this weekend of the headstocks on my Ricks.

What style of headstock does my 1997 have?

Well, here is the headstock on my '67 330.

jingle_jangle wrote:I've observed (could be wrong) that it was the Schaller transition (away from sticky, imprecise old Klusons) that brought on the wider headstock.

Do you actually prefer the Schallers Paul? I find the Klusons far more sturdy feeling & tight and far more elegant looking.

Jake, compare yours to Jeff's 330 and Paul's Turq and you'll have your answer!

It isn't as fat as Paul A's turq, but it isn't as skinny as Jeff's 330. I'm lost...

You will find the wider 'paddle'-style headstocks on many Rickenbacker 360 models from late 1970 into 1971 as well....these guitars usually have the Grover Roto-matic deluxe tuners too....many also had 24-fret necks.