How do I determine what I've got
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
How do I determine what I've got
Hi folks,
This is my first post here. I saw a video tour of the Rickenbacker museum on Premier Guitar, and there was a link over to here. I've had the same guitar since the early 70's, and by looking at pictures here I can figure that it's a 450/6 string. But I've seen listings for Combo, but no description of what that is? And also references to serial numbers determining age, but I can't find that info either. Is there a chart somewhere I'm missing that tells the serial number age story, and maybe a definition of terms to say what things like a "combo" are?
This is my first post here. I saw a video tour of the Rickenbacker museum on Premier Guitar, and there was a link over to here. I've had the same guitar since the early 70's, and by looking at pictures here I can figure that it's a 450/6 string. But I've seen listings for Combo, but no description of what that is? And also references to serial numbers determining age, but I can't find that info either. Is there a chart somewhere I'm missing that tells the serial number age story, and maybe a definition of terms to say what things like a "combo" are?
Re: How do I determine what I've got
The Rickenbacker company website has a serial number decoder -- you type in the serial number, and it will tell you the age (unless your guitar was made in the 1950s).
http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp
The "Combo" series guitars were Rickenbacker's first modern electrics, introduced in 1954. The "Combo 450" had the so-called "tulip" body shape through 1958 (I think), and in 1959 was replaced by the "cresting wave" body. I'm not sure of the details, but I think at some point the name "Combo" was dropped and the guitar became known simply as the 450. There are many here who know far more about Rickenbacker history than me who can give you a more definitive answer.
If you post some pix, people here will probably be able to tell you exactly what you have.
http://www.rickenbacker.com/service_serials.asp
The "Combo" series guitars were Rickenbacker's first modern electrics, introduced in 1954. The "Combo 450" had the so-called "tulip" body shape through 1958 (I think), and in 1959 was replaced by the "cresting wave" body. I'm not sure of the details, but I think at some point the name "Combo" was dropped and the guitar became known simply as the 450. There are many here who know far more about Rickenbacker history than me who can give you a more definitive answer.
If you post some pix, people here will probably be able to tell you exactly what you have.
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Rickenbacker also has a model identification page:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/identification.asp
You pick the features that are on your guitar and it will figure out what you have.
http://www.rickenbacker.com/identification.asp
You pick the features that are on your guitar and it will figure out what you have.
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
- Ontario_RIC_fan
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 2796
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Tom:
The fastest way to get a response will be to post some pictures of your guitar! We love to look at them...
The register here is a great resource as well..
Here is a gallary of Combo 450s
http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0
and here are some more recent 450s
http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0
The key bit of info you will need is the serial number which should be on the bridge plate right below where the strings attach to the guitar - It will most likely be two letters and 3 or 4 numbers.
Best of luck on your quest to learn more about your Rickenbacker!
The fastest way to get a response will be to post some pictures of your guitar! We love to look at them...
The register here is a great resource as well..
Here is a gallary of Combo 450s
http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0
and here are some more recent 450s
http://www.rickresource.com/register/ga ... =0&month=0
The key bit of info you will need is the serial number which should be on the bridge plate right below where the strings attach to the guitar - It will most likely be two letters and 3 or 4 numbers.
Best of luck on your quest to learn more about your Rickenbacker!
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Welcome, Tom!
I assume that you have found the serial number of yours stamped on the tailpiece, right? If you tell us the first two alphanumeric characters of it, we can tell you what month/year it was made, unless it's a really old one.
I assume that you have found the serial number of yours stamped on the tailpiece, right? If you tell us the first two alphanumeric characters of it, we can tell you what month/year it was made, unless it's a really old one.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Hi folks, Thanks for all the quick replies. I just looked for the serial number, and I'll try and take some photos soon, but the serial# is: AC 220. And by going to that serial number decoder page from the link above, thank you, it says my guitar was manufactured March 1961.
Re: How do I determine what I've got
I just realized that although I haven't taken any photos of my guitar, other folks have. I have a file of performance photos that audience members have given me. So here are a few different gigs around the Austin TX area.
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Nice guitar, Tom!
- Ontario_RIC_fan
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 2796
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Yes Brian, that's it exactly. Even down to the gold sparkle truss rod cover, and the case too. So I've just listed it in the registry. Thanks all.
- Ontario_RIC_fan
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 2796
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Re: How do I determine what I've got
Yes it is definitely a transitional model with the gold TRC and white pickguard.... The 1960 examples still had the pressed metal TRC's, and by 1963 onwards till RIC stopped making them the plastic was standard white...cygnet wrote:Yes Brian, that's it exactly. Even down to the gold sparkle truss rod cover, and the case too. So I've just listed it in the registry. Thanks all.
Thanks for adding it to the register - don't forget to take some pics of it and add them too! The register is a wonderful research tool for Rickenbacker instruments...
Brian Morton
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25
A Rickenbacker Fan
in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
=========================
67 FG 625
74 JG 4000
76 JG 430
77 JG 620
77 JG 320
79 MG 450
79 JG 4001
80 FG 620/12
81 BG 480
91 JG 610
02 BG 620
78 TR7
83 TR25