Rickenbacker Model 335 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966)
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Rickenbacker Model 335 Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Los Angeles, California, serial # FI-3126, Fireglo red sunburst finish, maple body; laminated maple/walnut neck with padouk fingerboard, original silver tolex hard shell case.
Certainly one of the most recognizable of the classic 1960's guitars, the Rickenbacker 300 series thin hollowbodies have returned to favor again and again as new generations discover their bright, well defined sound and utterly distinctive look and feel. This is a truly superb example of the iconic red sunburst ("Fireglo") Model 335 from Rickenbacker's peak year of 1966.
This truly lovely guitar dates to September 1966 and remains in fine original condition. The 330 series model designation refers to Rickenbacker's "Standard" features including a flat-topped carved maple body with no binding, with the trademark "cat's-eye' soundhole on the face. The laminated maple/walnut neck has a lacquered padauk fingerboard with small dot inlay. The headstock is fitted with Kluson Deluxe tuning keys and the trademark white Rickenbacker logo headplate. The two "toaster top" pickups are mated to a 5-knob wiring rig allowing maximum blending flexibility, with pots dated the 33rd week of 1966. The trademark "Fireglo" sunburst finish with a vibrant red-natural fade is the look most associated with these Rickenbacker models, a truly unique livery that still stands out in any crowd. The white trim sets this off perfectly.
At the time this 330 was made production had reached an all-time high at Rickenbacker. The company's instruments of this period are generally more consistent in quality than many but one production change is significant. Beginning in summer 1966, a channel was no longer routed for pole magnets under the neck pickup, so from that point on the instruments have a much solider neck/body joint. As a result this example made just a few months later has maintained a better neck angle than many earlier 300-series models, making for excellent playability.
The single most famous 330 series Rickenbacker guitar would be John Lennon's 1964 Model 325, used during the Beatles peak of worldwide fame. Following the Beatles' lead, many young musicians both in the UK and US in the 1964-68 era chose thinline Rickenbacker guitars, making them an enduring 6-string symbol of the period. The models 335 and 345 are most firmly associated with the early Who; the group's first records are a showpiece for the unique Rickenbacker sound. Despite sometimes being dismissed with a "1960s cliche'" tag, the Rickenbacker 360 is a more versatile guitar than many realize, a great-sounding and very classy instrument for both retro and modern sounds!
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a beautifully clean guitar overall, original and complete but also optimized for playability. It includes even the oft-missing vibrato arm and bridge cover. The guitar is currently set up with a Mastery bridge (with the original bridge cover installed) but the original roller bridge is included. This latter was not one of Rickenbacker's greatest hardware designs, and most players would agree the Mastery provides a noticeable sonic and feel improvement. The original can be put back on in a moment if desired, there is no alteration to the guitar itself.
There is only very light finish wear overall and the beautiful Fireglo red coloring has virtually no fade. There is an old repair to the almost ubiquitous 1960's Rick fingerboard separation (caused by inexpert truss rod manipulation) on the bass side of the neck, completely solid and neatly done. Then pickups and wiring remain original except the "dinky cap" (the small resistor that thins out the bridge pickup sound) has been removed; it is also included in the unlikely event someone wants to re-install it. The original frets show very little wear. This is a fine example of this 1960s classic and a superb player with none of the neck-angle issues that often plague mid-1960's Rickenbackers, complete in the original silver Tolex HSC Overall Excellent Condition.
Certainly one of the most recognizable of the classic 1960's guitars, the Rickenbacker 300 series thin hollowbodies have returned to favor again and again as new generations discover their bright, well defined sound and utterly distinctive look and feel. This is a truly superb example of the iconic red sunburst ("Fireglo") Model 335 from Rickenbacker's peak year of 1966.
This truly lovely guitar dates to September 1966 and remains in fine original condition. The 330 series model designation refers to Rickenbacker's "Standard" features including a flat-topped carved maple body with no binding, with the trademark "cat's-eye' soundhole on the face. The laminated maple/walnut neck has a lacquered padauk fingerboard with small dot inlay. The headstock is fitted with Kluson Deluxe tuning keys and the trademark white Rickenbacker logo headplate. The two "toaster top" pickups are mated to a 5-knob wiring rig allowing maximum blending flexibility, with pots dated the 33rd week of 1966. The trademark "Fireglo" sunburst finish with a vibrant red-natural fade is the look most associated with these Rickenbacker models, a truly unique livery that still stands out in any crowd. The white trim sets this off perfectly.
At the time this 330 was made production had reached an all-time high at Rickenbacker. The company's instruments of this period are generally more consistent in quality than many but one production change is significant. Beginning in summer 1966, a channel was no longer routed for pole magnets under the neck pickup, so from that point on the instruments have a much solider neck/body joint. As a result this example made just a few months later has maintained a better neck angle than many earlier 300-series models, making for excellent playability.
The single most famous 330 series Rickenbacker guitar would be John Lennon's 1964 Model 325, used during the Beatles peak of worldwide fame. Following the Beatles' lead, many young musicians both in the UK and US in the 1964-68 era chose thinline Rickenbacker guitars, making them an enduring 6-string symbol of the period. The models 335 and 345 are most firmly associated with the early Who; the group's first records are a showpiece for the unique Rickenbacker sound. Despite sometimes being dismissed with a "1960s cliche'" tag, the Rickenbacker 360 is a more versatile guitar than many realize, a great-sounding and very classy instrument for both retro and modern sounds!
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a beautifully clean guitar overall, original and complete but also optimized for playability. It includes even the oft-missing vibrato arm and bridge cover. The guitar is currently set up with a Mastery bridge (with the original bridge cover installed) but the original roller bridge is included. This latter was not one of Rickenbacker's greatest hardware designs, and most players would agree the Mastery provides a noticeable sonic and feel improvement. The original can be put back on in a moment if desired, there is no alteration to the guitar itself.
There is only very light finish wear overall and the beautiful Fireglo red coloring has virtually no fade. There is an old repair to the almost ubiquitous 1960's Rick fingerboard separation (caused by inexpert truss rod manipulation) on the bass side of the neck, completely solid and neatly done. Then pickups and wiring remain original except the "dinky cap" (the small resistor that thins out the bridge pickup sound) has been removed; it is also included in the unlikely event someone wants to re-install it. The original frets show very little wear. This is a fine example of this 1960s classic and a superb player with none of the neck-angle issues that often plague mid-1960's Rickenbackers, complete in the original silver Tolex HSC Overall Excellent Condition.