Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi, I am new to this forum and not a collector, but I have an old Rick I used to play back in college days.

Serial number is EI so 1965, but what model is it? Was the tailpiece replaced? Any other obvious mods (other than grover heads ... tho maybe can't tell from pics)?

Thanks!

Welcome to the Forum!

The tailpiece is definitely not original. Neither is the bottom strap button.

Does it look like there is a 3-pc. top? In other words, does there appear to be a separate piece of laminated wood in the middle of the top of the guitar, approx. the width of the PUs?

Are there slot-head screws in the corners of the PUs?

What are the pot codes?

The fretboard looks like original CP inlays to me.

If this is an original 1965 Rick, you have a pretty spiffy double-bound 360/5 on your hands, even with the replaced tuners!

You have a 360 O.S., which are pretty sought after- certainly as far as '60s Ricks go high on the list. The tailpiece is not original, but someone might be able to say 100% for sure. Should either be an 'R' or an accent vibrato. Love to see more pics- looks great!

Welcome, Matt!

Nice guitar!

libratune wrote:Are there slot-head screws in the corners of the PUs?

I see slot-head screws.

Wow... talk about a quick response and great info.

Ron: No separate piece of wood in middle of top. Yes, slot head screws in PUs. Pot codes... uh, sorry, can you help me out there? Do I have to open 'er up?

Chuck: Will post a few more pics.

Thanks guys!

jmattforster wrote: Ron: No separate piece of wood in middle of top. Pot codes... uh, sorry, can you help me out there? Do I have to open 'er up?

Matt, If your guitar is a '65 it should have a conspicuous separate piece of wood in middle top, known as a 3-pc top. Rick made the tops of 360 models in 3-pc until sometime in late 1966. Because yours is not a 3-pc, I am not sure that the jackplate, which indicates a 1965 number, matches the body of the guitar. (There are likely exceptions to this 'rule' but none to my knowledge.)

Another way to date the guitar, assuming the electronics are original, is by the date codes on the pots. Should be 137 65xx if a September 1965 (EI) build. If it's a later build, as suggested by the top, the pots would have a later date code.

It's easy to take the guard off on a Rick to see the pots. Turn 4 screws and flip the bottom guard over on its side gently. There should be enough loose wire to enable you to look under the hood. No need to mess with strings, etc.

Also, assuming the bridge is original, I'd check to see if it's a roller bridge. If so, we can probably assume it left the factory as a 365, if not, it is probably (but not definitely) a 360.

Matt I am willing to bet the Sn is Ei8 something something... Seems there was a run of the OS / WB models late in the month of Sept 1965

More images (back of the headstock etc) would be most welcome! We never get tired of looking at pictures of RICS...

Ron:
In light of day I see the strip of wood in middle, ez to spot on pick guard side, other seam amazingly well disguised by grain.
3 of the pots are stamped on the side with 137 6540, the other 2 on the bottom with 137 6517.

Alan:
Yes to roller bridge, also says 365-C inside body... guess tailpiece replaced to remove whammy.

Brian:
Nice bet, EI857 - I see Dave of Dave's Guitars has EI858 (ah, the internet)
Re: "late in month of Sept", by my calc (ah, the internet) week 40 of '65 was Oct - maybe they ran out of pots but had already stamped the jack plate?

Better get back to work now but will take some more pics later, thanks again to all for the info.

I have EI 864

Welcome to the Forum, Matt !
Cool guitar .... maybe you can locate an R tailpiece from someone on the Forum.

Dan:

You should add that pic to the Register!

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D5

This is where I spotted the pattern of OS models in late Sept 65

http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... EI&order=5

8mileshigher wrote:Welcome to the Forum, Matt !
Cool guitar .... maybe you can locate an R tailpiece from someone on the Forum.

I would check under that tailpiece on the edge of the guitar to see the original screw hole pattern; this could also have come with an Accent vibrato, right? They would have different screw hole locations.

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote:Dan:

You should add that pic to the Register!

http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6order%3D5

This is where I spotted the pattern of OS models in late Sept 65

http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... EI&order=5

Consider it done Brian

Dan

Danotron wrote:
Consider it done Brian

Dan

Most kind! Most Kind!!