Old Style TRC - correct or not?

[redamber]

This is a photo of the headstock of a Rickenbacker guitar, supposedly a Combo 1000, manufactured in 1962.

Yet, on the basis of the Bacon & Day and other reference books, it seems that Rickenbacker was using the curved & pointed TRC (as designed by Lydia Catherine Hall, mother of John Hall) from at least the mid-1950s. Certainly, all the pics of Combo models which I have seen on the net have the modern TRC design.

Does anyone on the Forum have an explanation, or should I assume that the guitar and its TRC are suspect?

[cjj]

I have heard, on this forum, that the stamped metal plates were used in 1959-61 on various models including the 1000, so 1962 is probably not out of the question either given that the only absolute about Rickenbackers is that there are no absolutes...

[jps]

...absolutely.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

This is a photo of the headstock of a Rickenbacker guitar, supposedly a Combo 1000, manufactured in 1962.

Ric combo trc.jpg

James - the only way to date the guitar is by its serial number, which will be stamped on the bridge plate. The TRC looks correct for a guitar made between 1959 and 1961.

By 1962 they had plastic TRCS. You can track this in the register. I would suspect your guitar is earlier then you think it is.

[deaconblues]

It could absolutely be authentic.

Ask for a photo of the headstock with the TRC removed. If there's an extra screw hole, the cover's been changed.

[redamber]

Thank you all for your expert responses.

On the basis of what I now know, it would seem to be authentic. The Serial No. appears to be BJ 511, indicating that the guitar was manufactured in October 1962 - consistent with what is on the Register. The remainder of the body, including the lower & upper bout of the 'tulip', look about the right shape for the period (see pic).

I don't want to ask what's under the TRC until I'm sure I have an interest - and that depends on whether the seller adjusts his price from where he is at present. Work in progress!