Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've had a number of vintage Ricks now and am curious what people know about the rounded fretboard. I've only encountered it on 360 O.S. models from '68 and '69, though I haven't played any from '67 or later than '69 (and I haven't had any regular/'new style' 360s).
Was this stock? Was it used on many models? I haven't seen it on any 330s from any period (I've had 330s from '66-70). How long was it used? I love the neck on my '69 which is slim and fast, and it's a totally different feel than my '66.
Gentlemen?

Chuck, do you mean more of a radius? Rickenbacker fretboard profiles have been all over the place.

I guess I do mean radius. It seems really pronounced on my '69- a standard capo won't work. I haven't noticed it on any 330- was it a feature only on the 360? I don't ever recall it on any Ricks from the last 20 years.

chucksimms wrote:I guess I do mean radius. It seems really pronounced on my '69- a standard capo won't work. I haven't noticed it on any 330- was it a feature only on the 360? I don't ever recall it on any Ricks from the last 20 years.

The radius got flatter circa '85. My '83 330 had a really round radius, probably 6". My '68 330 also has quite a round one, though I have seen rounder.

Pre-'70s full-scale Ricks often had fretboards with--get this--6" radii,while vintage Fenders were 7.25".

It's a noticeable difference, and I've redone a number of recent Rick 12s to a 6" radius. They are amazingly comfortable to play!