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Lizard King
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Post subject: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:52 am |
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:10 pm Posts: 3
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Most guitar books show production from 1981 - present. By the numbers this was made in Feb, 1980 - TB439.
Did they start making them in 1980 or is this a pre-production model?
It also has a full 12-string headstock with 6 in-line tuners on a side as opposed to the up/down Rickenbacker style.
It also appears to have the hi string first instead of below the major string as you strum down.
What do I have???
Thanks.
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Uffingdon
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 11:24 pm |
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Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:46 am Posts: 376 Location: Far Side Of Nowhere
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The 620/12 has been in production since the early 60's, in fact the third 12 string Rickenbacker ever produced was a 620/12 which is currently owned by Mike Cambell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
As for why yours is strung in the traditional manor is anybody's guess?
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flyingeagle
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:02 am |
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 997 Location: The Independent Republic Of Florida
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I could be incorrect but I do not remember Rickenbacker ever making a 12 string guitar strung in this manner or with a headstock that you describe. Can you post a picture? Maybe one of our fearless leaders will chime in on this one. Steve
_________________ "A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed For All"
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JohnHall
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 8:08 am |
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Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 4038 Location: Santa Ana, CA
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Lizard King wrote: It also has a full 12-string headstock with 6 in-line tuners on a side as opposed to the up/down Rickenbacker style. Either not a RIC or has been re-necked (or re-headed).
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Lizard King
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 6:05 am |
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:10 pm Posts: 3
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The guy who sold it to me said it was made for Al Jardine. Of course a guy at a guitar show can say anything he wants...LOL.
The truss rods are correct. I had one of the larger guitar dealers in the midwest look at it before I bought it and he didn't think it was a fake.
Could've had the headstock changed I suppose. Let's be honest, this one is much easier to restring. Whatever. I also picked up a 320-12 and for the price I got both of them I can sell the 320 and keep the 620 for a player.
Thanks all!!!!
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Lizard King
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:55 am |
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 12:10 pm Posts: 3
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JohnHall wrote: Lizard King wrote: It also has a full 12-string headstock with 6 in-line tuners on a side as opposed to the up/down Rickenbacker style. Either not a RIC or has been re-necked (or re-headed). That's funny. I was looking through a guitar book last night and it had a picture of an early Ric 12 string with a head stock exactly like mine. It had a different tuner setup but the headstock of the guitar on the Rickenbacker page - with other early Rickenbacker guitars - had the exact same shape as mine with 6 in-line tuners on a side. I guess if Ric made at least one 12 string with my head stock they might've made another. I'm going to consider mine a special order until proven otherwise. Thanks.
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ric483
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 5:30 pm |
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Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:45 pm Posts: 32
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Would love to see some pics. I think some employees from the mid 70s until John Hall took over were making some unique instruments for themselves. I have seen quite a few 60's bodies that have all the hardware and wiring from the mid 70's. Mice will always play. With regard to 620/12s there are only a few pre 1980. It does seem January 1980 was when they actually become a production guitar, rather than a prototype, special order, one-off. http://www.rickresource.com/register/in ... strings=21
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JohnHall
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 8:01 am |
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Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:00 pm Posts: 4038 Location: Santa Ana, CA
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According to the factory records, TB439 was a bog standard 620/12 JG delivered to the warehouse on 2/11/1980. as I said before:
"Either not a RIC or has been re-necked (or re-headed)."
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ric483
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 9:13 am |
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Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:45 pm Posts: 32
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How about this 490ish? The neck appears to be made in the factory (woods, dot inlays, truss rods all seem right). It never had a full length Rickenbacker TRC.
I have always wondered if it was made by an employee who was helping on the 490?
Last edited by ric483 on Mon May 09, 2016 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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ric483
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Post subject: Re: 1980 620-12 Info. Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 9:16 am |
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Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:45 pm Posts: 32
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