Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Today, a N.O.S. 660 Tom Petty 660/12 sold on eBay, with 11 bids, for $2,910.12.
From what I had previously understood, one of the TP's main features was figured/birdseye/flamed wood.
The guitar that sold today was JG, which effectively covers up what would seem to be one of the main features of the guitar. It seems that the only features separating this guitar from a standard 660/12 is the COA and the pickguard.
Obviously, the guitar was in immaculate condition; complete with signature pickguard and COA, but I'm curious as to the relative value of a JG
"signature" limited edition guitar as compared to a guitar with the aforementioned figured wood, specifically the TP and CW models.
May I get an opinion from a knowledgable collector/enthusiast?

Many Thanks!

There are a few ways to approach this topic. There have been several very nice, birdseye maple 660-12s from the late '90s on ebay selling in the $2k range. It has been speculated here that, once RIC got to #1000 on the TPs, they just kept on making the 660-12s to the same spec as the TP model, minus the signature 'guard and COA. So people are paying substantial premiums for the FG 660-12 models with the TP goodies vs. the 660-12s without, which seems to be the case for all RIC signature ltd ed. models.

The guitar you mention, the 660-12 JG TP, is somewhat rare, especially in NOS (really?) condition. (It's harder for a JG to appear to be in NOS condition than a FG. Trust me.) The Register is not necessarily a representative sample, but I would note that, of the 97 TP models listed, there are 74 in FG and 23 in JG. My take on the value of the JG that just sold is that a collector who is trying to get all the RIC ltd ed. signature guitars and who already has a TP in FG will be ready to pounce on that rare TP in JG in nice shape and with a COA. And if there are two or more such collectors going after the same guitar, the price can get a bit inflated.

I believe that recent ebay sales of the TP model in FG have been in the $2800 to $3300 range. The JG that sold was right in there.

As to the CWs, that's another story but I think a similar one. Of course, the CWs come in both 6- and 12-string versions, and in FG and JG. Of the 96 CWs on the Register, 84 are FG and 12 are JG.

PS I happened to stumble upon the following factoid while clicking around. The highest ebay sales price for a 660-12 TP recorded on the Register in recent times was for a JG -- over $4600. It is COA # 53 / 1000. http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... lebrity%3D

+1 to what Ron posted.

Well here's the answer to the thread I started elsewhere. Thanks!

This topic has been discussed before, and a search of the Forum should bring up those.

Not every 660/12TP FG has extensive birds-eye. Mine is an example that has subdue birds-eye:
(sorry, that's the best picture I currently have)

As far as JG is concerned , there were only 125 (IIRC) Jetglo TPs made, so they are numerically rarer than the Fireglos, and IMO for any Limited Edition available in multiple finishes (e.g., the 370/12RM was available in MG, FG, and JG), examples of the rarer finishes should, but do not always, bring a slightly higher amount (I think that I have stated this before elsewhere).

libratune wrote:There have been several very nice, birdseye maple 660-12s from the late '90s on ebay selling in the $2k range. It has been speculated here that, once RIC got to #1000 on the TPs, they just kept on making the 660-12s to the same spec as the TP model, minus the signature 'guard and COA. So people are paying substantial premiums for the FG 660-12 models with the TP goodies vs. the 660-12s without, which seems to be the case for all RIC signature ltd ed. models.

Here's an example of what I was talkin' about: a 660-12 FG dating to 1998 with beautiful birdseye maple; no bidders (yet) at $2k min. bid [no affiliation]: http://cgi.ebay.com/Gorgeous-Rickenback ... 33629b24de

Ron, that is one beautiful instrument!! Great FG too.

Just love the wider fingerboard on the 660, but I don't know that I'd pay an extra $1k for the Petty pickguard and I'm a big Petty fan.

johnallg wrote:Ron, that is one beautiful instrument!! Great FG too.

Some lucky buyer (not me) picked it up for $1999.