Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Did the tulip-style Rickenbackers lead to the 450-style which lead to the 620-style?

well, initially the 450 WAS tulip style (2 PU version of the 400), before the bodystyle changed to the crescent wave

There was first the tulip...then the bass horn received a scoop. This is the "transitional" slab body, which both the (Electro) ES-16 and ES-17 retained through their life span (until '83, I believe), but which Ricks only had for a couple of years.

Things moved on to the slab "cresting wave" body style (1960?), followed by the relieved "cresting wave" of the second version of the 425/450. The slab top is also seen on the bound 460s and 625s, and most recently on the 620s and (checkerboard-bound) 660 "phantom vintage" range.

My years could be off, so if somebody knows better, please correct me so we can get a more accurate and complete picture.

The new Rick 12 book has a nice, concise shape history in the back pages. I'll check it after dinner...the aqbove is from my own memory, sometimes rusty.

Thanks guys. I think I will pick up the book as the history is interesting.

jingle_jangle wrote:There was first the tulip...then the bass horn received a scoop.

Like this...

Yup. And I was incorrect about both the ES-16 and the ES-17 having this shape. It was only the ES-16 (short scale), which shared this shape with the later combos.

The Ryder 1000 (short scale, student model) also had the tulip shape body. Mine is from 1966:
I think that the upper horn has a shape slightly different from the one in the 450 picture above.

And if they'd only make a "proper" (no scoops) tulip 450 again...sigh... Actually, I suppose making them the same way as the originals, with the bolt-on body and saxophone strap doesn't really make any sense, but it would be such a distinctive solidbody, especially with some of the modern finishes.