Geez, this looks old!

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:30 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41439&item=3719955549&rd=1

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:39 pm

It's a 1957 Combo 900.

fergs40 · Post by **fergs40** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:46 pm

The serial number decoder doesn't like it...

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:51 pm

I think its a Combo 1000. (18 frets)

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 5:24 pm

It's a 21-fretter (you have to add two photos together).

The key is in the dots: 4=1000 / 5=900 or 950.

The serial number breaks down like this: V7285.

V = Short Scale
7 = 1957
285 = instrument number

(they also only made this particular shape in 1957)

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:56 am

Tony, I stand corrected! That dang rubber bridge saddle threw me.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:57 am

What about the metal nameplate guys? Were they around as early as '57?

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:48 am

I bid on it.

brian · Post by **brian** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 8:29 am

Does it have binding, it seems something is not right near the pickup switch on the right side ? Also is that backplate standard or an addition ?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 8:44 am

The backplate is standard although usually these are a flocked type material but I have one here with this type of plastic as well. Of course, if they had Velcro back then, you could put that on your shirt and the flocked type would just stick there!

See the eye on the back? That's so you could use a sax strap around your neck instead of a conventional strap. Usually it's just a recessed round ring but I've seen this kind before.

Finally, it's quite possible this bridge is authentic. Early on they just used a Bakelite bridge from a Hawaiian guitar on some of the low cost guitars.

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:08 am

I believe it's all original. I had one just like it up to a year or so ago (knobs and bridge cover on mine were reissues- the flying saucer knobs of the ebay guitar are correct):

http://www.tblair.com/images/900ft2.jpg
http://www.tblair.com/images/900bK2.jpg

The back plate is made of a thin particle board. The bridge is original and is just a single block of bakelight with some notches in it for the strings.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:24 am

Tony: What can you tell us about the pickup, in terms of its sound and construction?

tblair · Post by **tblair** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 11:47 am

As I recall, it sounded pretty Rickenbackery- it appears to have been used only briefly just before the toasters were introduced. I've only seen it on the 900, 950, 1000, and 450.

Unfortunately, the guitar itself was pretty crummy (mine had a concave fingerboard)- so I didn't really play it a lot. ...but it was my first 50s Ric.

seth_lorinczi · Post by **seth_lorinczi** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:20 am

Looks a lot like the DeArmond pu on my '56 Combo 400. Yes, very "Rickenbackery"...chimey and bell-like.