Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Am considering purchasing a Ric 450-12, 1984, and noticed it had an odd set of Grover tuners. Not sure if these are original to the guitar. Can anyone here confirm if they are? Thanks!

This is the only photo I've found of them:

Hey John! My '83 330 had the same tuners and it was stock.

Hey John! My '83 330 had the same tuners and it was stock.

Hey John, nice to see you on the other side of the tracks!

That seems to be a confirmation for me. Just looked at the 450-12. It's a bit beat up, lots of nicks and chips. Also, it had the original bar bridge replaced with the more traditional Ric bridge. Sounds pretty good and the neck feels fine. Not sure if there's a case. Guy wants a grand and I made a counter offer of $750. We'll see. I'll have to end up selling my current 610-12 if I get this one.

Oskar wrote:

Hey John! My '83 330 had the same tuners and it was stock.

Hey John, nice to see you on the other side of the tracks!

That seems to be a confirmation for me. Just looked at the 450-12. It's a bit beat up, lots of nicks and chips. Also, it had the original bar bridge replaced with the more traditional Ric bridge. Sounds pretty good and the neck feels fine. Not sure if there's a case. Guy wants a grand and I made a counter offer of $750. We'll see. I'll have to end up selling my current 610-12 if I get this one.

Keep me posted on that. My arsenal is missing some jangle at the moment.

Those waffle-back tuners came stock on my '82 320.

kiramdear wrote:Those waffle-back tuners came stock on my '82 320.

And my April 1982 620 had klusons stock...

So I put the change over time from Klusons to Grovers as the summer of 1982.

KIra's 320 is from September as I recall.

The 450 must be early 1984, as by September 1984 when John Hall took over Schallers became standard on RIC guitars...

Ontario_RIC_fan wrote: The 450 must be early 1984, as by September 1984 when John Hall took over Schallers became standard on RIC guitars...

Not to mention the fact that the 450 and its variants were discontinued that year...

Appreciate the responses. The guitar, according the the serial number on the tailpiece, is December 1984. I know '84 was the last year they were made. Perhaps this is the very last one made?

Oskar wrote:Appreciate the responses. The guitar, according the the serial number on the tailpiece, is December 1984. I know '84 was the last year they were made. Perhaps this is the very last one made?

Honestly...wouldn't surprise me!

Last one in the register is 5/84.

Honestly...wouldn't surprise me!

Last one in the register is 5/84.

Well, if I end up getting it, I'll have to list it in the registry.

Share the SN even if you don't

B

Share the SN even if you don't

The SN is XL 1540. Not sure if anything more can be determined other than the month & year.

John what colour is it?

Jetglo??

John what colour is it?

It's FG. Also, as I noted, it has the more traditional Ric bridge on it as opposed to the bar-type of bridge. Again, not sure if this is the way it came or not. Looks like someone may have swapped out the bar bridge. Perhaps Rickenbacker was making the transition to the 610, which is basically the 450 with a different bridge, pickguard and the jack coming out the side instead of the top of the pickguard.
Still in negotiations to buy the guitar. I really do want it, but as always, it comes down to a matter of price.