Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was wondering if someone can clear this up.
I just recently got a 360V64 and one of the first
things I noticed was that the pickguards don't quite line up. The upper one is a little smaller than the bottom. Also, upon closer inspection, I realized they are made from two different materials. The lower one is thinner and slightly
more opaque. The upper is thicker and has more transluscent quality to it. I assume the upper one is a newer replacement. When did they change the material? My guitar was made in Oct.-96.

The material has always undergone some variations from batch to batch but the biggest shift was perhaps 5 years ago when Rohn & Haas stopped making Plexiglas brand acrylic. Literally overnight, instead of being able to source a consistent, American made product, only generic acrylic from Latin America and Asia was available.

The market has stabilized now but still to match perfectly it's desirable to get tops and bottoms from the same era.

Thanks Mr. Hall - It's just an aesthetics issue, not real important. I will put in an order for replacements in the near future. It's my favorite guitar ever and I've had a bunch. Guitars have been pretty much utilitarian for me in the past, i'ts cool to have one that I actually polish.

Spencer, theres always the chance that the top or bottom guard was replaced at some point.

Yeah, I know it didn't come like that from the factory. You know what? I'll bet George Harrison signed it for the last owner and he kept it for himself.
Yep, that must be it.