Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So when does a vintage reissue instrument become "Vintage" in its own right?

Judging by the title of this subforum, a vintage reissue produced before 1985 would be a "Vintage Rickenbacker 1954-84."

Of course, many of the popular vintage reissues, such as the 360/12V64, the 1997 SPC, the 4001V63 (and all the limited edition artist models) were produced after 1984, with perhaps a few exceptions (such as the B series).

Probably the closest thing to considering a reissue a "vintage" instrument is that it was among the first of its kind produced -- and it was produced, say, over 25 years ago.

A broader question that would be easier to answer is: How old does an instrument have to be before it is considered "vintage" (whether or not it is a reissue)?

I would guess that the issue of what qualifies an instrument as "vintage" has been discussed before, though I haven't searched for it.

My take on vintage is that this status is conferred upon an instrument that pre-dates a major change in production by the manufacturer. For a Fender, we'd have pre-CBS era Fenders as vintage and the rest are just older Fenders. For RIC, you could choose mid-'73 as your cut-off (did the guitars change just like the 4001s at that time?).

Of course, this is all very subjective. If you have a 20-year old vintage re-issue right now, shouldn't it be considered vintage in another 10-20 years? I suppose so; there would have to be running timescales to reflect additional changes in production by the manufacturer and/or you could adopt the DMV/RMV style of approach with 25 years conferring antique status to a car (+/- for guitars).

It seems 25 years is usually the mark by which "vintage" is applied. Both previous posts point out possible parameters precisely....

IIRC, the standard is twenty-five years.

I have a Vintage Reissue `62 Fender Mary Kaye Stratocaster (that's Fender "Blonde" with gold hardware, NOT PINK), that's as old now as an original 1962 Stratocaster was when I bought my reissue brand new. Judged by the same standard as the original guitar was when it was deemed "vintage" and worthy of a reissue, I would argue that a VRI guitar that's 24-25 years old should also be considered "vintage"

S'matter with youse guys?

Vintage reissues are born vintage.

Tengyooveddymutch.

jingle_jangle wrote:S'matter with youse guys?

Vintage reissues are born vintage.

Tengyooveddymutch.

Like Benjamin Button?

libratune wrote:... Of course, many of the popular vintage reissues, such as the 360/12V64, the 1997 SPC, the 4001V63 (and all the limited edition artist models) were produced after 1984, with perhaps a few exceptions (such as the B series) ...

My 325v59 JG has an October 1984 (XJ) date of manufacture.

BTW, originally "vintage" meant simply the year of production, e.g. "Vintage 1975", and it has 'evolved' into connoting a time frame.

doctorwho wrote: My 325v59 JG has an October 1984 (XJ) date of manufacture.

Interesting, Gary. There are seven 325V59 examples from 1984 on the Register, all October (XJ).

My December 1984 4001V63 (XL) is one of two 1984s listed.

When I got my '66 Rick in 1985, I considered it vintage. It technically wasn't vintage, but it sure was classic! I don't think it plays any better or worse than when I got it. But now it's vintage. Or is it classic vintage?

rkbsound wrote:But now it's vintage. Or is it classic vintage?

Nah, nah, it's now a "vintage classic". You got to get that right.

rkbsound wrote:When I got my '66 Rick in 1985, I considered it vintage. It technically wasn't vintage, but it sure was classic! I don't think it plays any better or worse than when I got it. But now it's vintage. Or is it classic vintage?

I kind of like the word "Classic" over the word "Vintage". As stated earlier, vintage to me relates more to a specific time or date. Classic to me means its special and timeless.

Malchik wrote:

rkbsound wrote:But now it's vintage. Or is it classic vintage?

Nah, nah, it's now a "vintage classic". You got to get that right.

Ahhh...I think you've hit upon it correctly!

Now, in the last 25 years, has RIC produced a "classic"? I'm thinking perhaps the acoustics. Maybe the C series?

jingle_jangle wrote:S'matter with youse guys?

Vintage reissues are born vintage.

Tengyooveddymutch.

Thats what I was implying.