Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My 330 has turned 25 years old, I have owned it from new so this is a milestone for both of us! However, my question is will this guitar ever be a vintage guitar, or does it just become an old guitar? Cheers, T..

Congrats on a great milestone!


As for being "vintage", I think that only happens if you're trying to sell it...

Nice one CJ

Travis, congratulations on both counts. A very good question and a somewhat complicated one. My view is that your Rickenbacker will indeed be a vintage instrument one day. There are 1980s instruments that will be highly sought after one day based upon their own unique features.

admin wrote: There are 1980s instruments that will be highly sought after one day based upon their own unique features.

They already are!! by me!!

Early 80's had thick tops, thin necks, hot pickups, Klusons or Grovers, lots of cool stuff! And the ambering, good lord, the ambering!!!

Congrats Travis.

scotty wrote:Congrats Travis.

Cheers Mate, makes me feel old mind!

Trav wrote:

scotty wrote:Congrats Travis.

Cheers Mate, makes me feel old mind!

My old telecasters 26 years with me i know what your saying........Old yin.

Yup. I have an acoustic guitar I bought new in 1977. Still have it, too. And it's starting to sound like it's broken in, finally. You know, that old, warm, acoustic guitar sound.
JimK

scotty wrote:Congrats Travis.

+1

My Bass has been with me for 28yrs, too many in the case, she's a regular part of life now

T.A.R. wrote:

scotty wrote:Congrats Travis.

+1

My Bass has been with me for 28yrs, too many in the case, she's a regular part of life now

+2, I've had my 4005WB for almost 38 years now.

Lessee... my oldest guitar has been with me since 1965. I took my first lessons on that no-name, Spanish-made little wonder. Don't play it much, but it's still there if I want to...

My Gretsch 6122 would be next... Bought it used when it was a baby of three in 1973. Been with me ever since. It's my go-to unless I need the extra strings on my 370/12.

A Fender FJ70 from 1980 would be next, after that, they run from about 1986 through to two months ago, so they're all too new to be relics.....

Aren't they?

Trav wrote:Nice one CJ

+1

Congrats on the milestone, Travis!

Thanks all, points taken also about the early eighties features. However, if you consider other makes, their changes in quality, materials, country of manufacture it makes sense that some models are vintage (and all that entails) and that others are not.

So, my thoughts are all Rickenbackers are high quality American guitars and I'm not aware of a golden period, so 25 years and over would automatically qualify as vintage?

I know this is a complex subject I'm just trying understand it better as a Rickenbacker lover. Cheers, T..