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420/425 dilemma
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:38 pm
by abluesky
Long story short, this lovely Ric made it's way to my home very recently. I purchased it with the belief it was a 61' 425 yet (per the serial #) it's noted as a 420 throughout the web. Per the register it's listed as a 425 (and also noted as a 420).
Here's the link to the guitar in the registry:
http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... p?id=21214
I am just trying to confirm the model.
Thanks for the feedback.
Chris E.
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:53 pm
by collin
That is a 425 model.
For reasons unknown (to me), the 425 model escaped the typical pattern of Rickenbacker nomenclature and ends with a "5" without having a vibrato.
Then, to complicate things even further, some later models were designated "420" models (late 70s), AFAIK. Plus...with other 400 series guitars (430...) that share no similarities to the 420/425, the entire 400 series is a bit muddled up in the name department.
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:06 pm
by abluesky
Colin,
Thanks for the clarity and added detail. I was coming up empty handed with the serial # as well.
Either way, the 425 is a beauty.
C Evans
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:51 am
by aoresteen
I know this is old but it still pops up in Google. Here's the difference between the 420/425 models.
From 1958 to 1964 the single pickup 400 series guitar was known as the model 425. It did not have a tremolo arm, even though the model number ended in a 5.
In 1965 the 425 was re-named the as the model 420. Same guitar, new model number.
A new model 425 was introduced at the same time. This time the 425 DOES have a tremolo arm. So a 425 without the trem arm has a serial number from 1958 to 1964. From 1965 to 1967 without the trem arm it is a model 420.
George Harrison had a model 425 from 1963. Same guitar as my 1967 model 420 - no trem arms.
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 8:41 am
by mike_d
aoresteen wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:51 am
I know this is old but it still pops up in Google. Here's the difference between the 420/425 models.
From 1958 to 1964 the single pickup 400 series guitar was known as the model 425. It did not have a tremolo arm, even though the model number ended in a 5.
In 1965 the 425 was re-named the as the model 420. Same guitar, new model number.
A new model 425 was introduced at the same time. This time the 425 DOES have a tremolo arm. So a 425 without the trem arm has a serial number from 1958 to 1964. From 1965 to 1967 without the trem arm it is a model 420.
George Harrison had a model 425 from 1963. Same guitar as my 1967 model 420 - no trem arms.
Good info. My 1965 425 is from January of 1965. Inside the cavity it is still marked 425. No tremolo. I still call it a 425 FG.
Untitled by
miked_austin, on Flickr
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2025 6:00 pm
by aoresteen
Well, I would too seeing that is is marked as a 425. Maybe the production line guys didn't get the memo
Nice FG 425! My 420 I installed the TOM bridge and it is intonated correctly. Fun guitar to play.
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:11 pm
by mike_d
You said it! These guitars are a blast to play. It’s full scale and no frills, but man it plays so easily and effortlessly. One of my favorites with a great vintage vibe all around.
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 5:33 pm
by thisismusicinc
What do you call a 425 with a vibrato then?
Re: 420/425 dilemma
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 7:07 pm
by jps
thisismusicinc wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 5:33 pm
What do you call a 425 with a vibrato then?
A 42
5