Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and am trying to acquire my first Rickenbacker. I can pickup a fully restored 1981 610 for around $1400 and was curious if this is realistic. The restoration was done by Paul Wilczynski and looks amazing. I like skinner necks, I normally lay Fender Jaguars, Mustangs and Gibson Melody Makers. First, would this be the best model for me to start with and what do you guys think about the price?

Thanks,

Harry

Welcome Harry! An early 80's 610 would certainly have a skinny neck, in addition to having a skinny body! They are quite diminutive instruments. I love 'em even though they look like toys on me. $1400 is a little higher than average for one of these, but in the case you would be paying a premium for Paul's restoration work.

Sloop_john_b,

So I assume Pauls work is worth the premium price? Since I am new I don't know much about Paul, but from what I can tell he is very well respected.

Thanks,

Harry

Welcome, Harry. Look here for photos of Paul's work. With 105 pages, the 610 might be there. Didn't look myself - LONG thread.

There is no such thing as a 1981 610...

They didn't start making them again till about 1985 after John Hall took over control of the company. They kept making them again till 1997 or so.

They do exist from 1962 through to about 1974/1975.

That particular ebay listing gives no serial number for the instrument - but I would bet dollars to donuts that was not made in 1981.

Paul will know more as he did the the refinish on it...

johnallg wrote:Welcome, Harry. Look here for photos of Paul's work. With 105 pages, the 610 might be there. Didn't look myself - LONG thread.

Helps if I include the link.......

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=379871&start=1560

The pics also prove it to be not from 1981
The tuners are Schallers and it has a paddle headstock... Features that are post 1984 when John Hall took over the company...

It is possible the jack plate may have been replaced as part of the resto-refin. He takes on some pretty advanced cases. Even as a resurrection it's worth it in light of Paul's work on it .

sloop_john_b wrote:They are quite diminutive instruments. I love 'em even though they look like toys on me.

Yeah fatty

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It ended up being an 87. it was a typo. Should be in it's way to me soon.

1987... Is it G08624????

610s, in my opinion, are the underdogs of Ric guitars. I have three 610-6s and a 610-12. I was a Telecaster player for years and decided on a whim to switch over about 3 years ago when I found a 610 at a pretty good price. I was hooked after that. You won't be disappointed. Here are mine:

About a year ago I bought a mint 620 w/case for just over $1000 delivered. Price is WAY too high, IMHO.

Tony

Harry, welcome to the forum and enjoy that Ric. I too love the body style and love the 610. It is truly looked over but it's unbound body and dotted fretboard just screams rock and roll to me. But I'm tall and it just looks tiny on me. I had a 620 and lots of peole joked how small it was on me. But in the end all is well as I fell in love with the Ric 480. Ric sound, Ric style, unbound and dotted, and just my size!

Congratulations. I recently got a 620 (in trade for a jaguar) and I think you will really like the 610 based on your other guitars. To me, it feels like Rickenbacker's version of a mustang.