Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just ran across this video of The Beach Boys & it started me thinking...

Both Carl Wilson & David Marks owned what we know of as Rose Morris model 1993 guitars..

The Rose Morris 1993 didn't have a domestic equivalent like the 1997 & 1998 did...the 335S & 345S.

I would imagine that they acquired them in California...so technically, they're not RM 1993's.

Were these guitars earmarked to be shipped to England & purchased by the BB's in California?

If so, what would the American model designation be? 360-12 Exports? I wonder what the Ric factory invoices designated the RM 1993's as?

It would be great if somebody shed some light on this.

BTW, here's the vid...actually, Al Jardine is playing one here. I wonder if it's Carl's...or maybe David's?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSr0BUXuTDA

My guess would be 330S-12.

Maybe Ron. It's actually a cross between a 330 & a 360. How about this, a 330/360-12S? lol

opticnerve wrote:The Rose Morris 1993 didn't have a domestic equivalent like the 1997 & 1998 did...the 335S & 345S.

Actually come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a domestic 345S. 335S's I've seen. I used to own one. It was a '64 mapleglo with silver top knobs.

They were both purchased domestically at a shop near LA (I can't recall the name, but David Marks referenced it once).

There was only ever one 330S/12 in the BB and it belonged to Carl Wilson. That video is Al playing Carl's guitar.

David Marks actually owned an early 360S/12 (double bound, triangle inlays, F-hole) which is an early prototype version of what would become the 1993. This is identical to Pete Towshend's first Rick -12, which was shipped to the UK as a sample for the Rose Morris line in '64. One of maybe 5 of these guitars made.

I have a photo somewhere of David Marks with this guitar when new, I'll dig it up. David sold this guitar in the late 60s and after it changed hands a few times it was coincidentally purchased by BB replacement guitarist Jeffrey Foskett in the late 80s and still owns it today.

Update -- found the pictures:


Carl Wilson (330S/12 -- similar to RM1993). Note silver-topped knobs. This was a US-market guitar. David Marks (360S/12 -- 1993 prototype)

For the record -- Pete Townshend's 360S/12 (1993 prototype):

YOU THE MAN COLLIN! Thanks!

Pete's sample 360S/12 ended up being smashed by him and it was the first Rickenbacker 12 he used, pre-dating the 1993's.

There is a forum member who hasn't posted in a long time who owns one of these in a distressed state, routed for humbuckers; it was found in Northern California around 10 years ago. Jackplate on the guitar now is an 'XX' plate, but is undoubtedly one of the early '64 360S/12s by it's construction.

leftybass wrote:Pete's sample 360S/12 ended up being smashed by him and it was the first Rickenbacker 12 he used, pre-dating the 1993's.

Yep, it predates all 1993s!

He wrote and recorded I Can't Explain, Anyway Anyhow, Anywhere and all the great early 12-string stuff with that guitar.

There is a forum member who hasn't posted in a long time who owns one of these in a distressed state, routed for humbuckers; it was found in Northern California around 10 years ago. Jackplate on the guitar now is an 'XX' plate, but is undoubtedly one of the early '64 360S/12s by it's construction.

Yeah, I hope if finally restores that guitar one of these days. It truly deserves a proper restoration. Here's some pictures from when he bought it on eBay ages ago:

For a Pete guitar from the 60's, that's in near f***** mint condition!

Is David looking into a mirror? I don't recall him being left-handed.

The photo is flipped or was flipped when scanned.

He looks mighty stoned too...