Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Saw this on Ebay.

Fake?

Commemorative one-off presented to someone when the Byrds' box set (remember that Columbia Red and Black label ) was released?

Something else?

Help solve the mystery!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3807629151

It appears to be a bog standard 360/12 BT Red that someone had Roger sign. He signs guitars and pickguards all the time.

What's the mystery? I think the seller is just taking a little creative license calling it a "promo" guitar.

The thing about it is, that is not McGuinn's handwritten signature at all. That is a reproduction of the signature used on the 370/12RM guard and accompanying promotional material. If you have a moment, check it out again and you'll see what I mean.

Bob: I see the point you are making, in that this ad for sale is certainly misleading. The promotional material (photo of gold seal) may lend some credibility to those who have only a vague familiarity with the McGuinn Limited Edition model. The signature would appear to be a tracing of the McGuinn signature as it is indeed too perfect for a quick signing by Roger and seems identical to the one seen on the limited edition. Not my favourite color combination by the way.

I find the case in this ad to be of interest in that it is the standard tolex case with the Rickenbacker label on the front edge. I have seen this routinely on the silver tolex cases. Why was the label left off the black tolex cases? Does anyone know the period in which the Rickenbacker label appeared on the black tolex cases?

The black tolex cases with nameplates I have seen were from about 1989 until 1991. I have a 1990 360/12V64 that came in a black case like that. The 1991 RIC catalog I have shows both black and silver cases with nameplates. I think this is when they were switching over.

Right on Kevin.

I love this guitar.