Rickenbacker Model 450/12 Solid Body Electric Guitar (1967)
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Rickenbacker Model 450/12 Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1967), made in Santa Ana, CA, serial # GH-3611, Fireglo red sunburst finish, maple body and neck, paduak fingerboard, brown tolex hard shell case.
This Model 450/12 is a splendid example of the Rickenbacker company's only 1960s solid body 12 string. This one was made in August 1967, several years after the Beatle connection catapulted the firm's guitars into popular legend.
The 450 is the most basic Rickenbacker 12-string, offering the then much in demand Beatle/Byrds jangle sound in a less expensive solid body solid body format. It is built to the standard layout of the "cresting wave" 400 solid-body series mated with the company's ingenious half-slotted 12-string headstock. The 450/12 mounts two of Rickenbacker's classic 1960s "toaster top" pickups in its white pickguard controlled with the basic the basic 4-knob, 1 switch circuitry. Other features include a plain dot fingerboard inlay and bridge/tailpiece unit set into the body with a single piece saddle (nicknamed the "Chrome worm").
The "Fireglo" red sunburst is nicely blended making for a very attractive instrument. While not as iconic to the British invasion era as the company's semi-hollow 330/12 and 360/12 models, the solid-body 450/12 is a great-sounding and super sharp-looking guitar, with its own distinctive character. The sound is very close to the hollowbody 360/12 if perhaps a bit brighter and the guitar is a very compact, easy handling instrument, an overlooked gem in Rickenbacker's crown.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 12 11/16 in. (32.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 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 a nice example overall, remaining original with the only alteration being a (1970s?) brass nut in place of Rickenbacker's usual black composite piece. The all-original thin lacquer shows some general wear with dings, dents and scuffs overall, most notably belt buckle wear into but mostly not through the finish on the back. The Fireglo finish is still bright and unfaded, and except for the replaced nut the guitar is fully original.
The original frets show some light wear, and there is some wear to the wood on the lacquered fingerboard mostly in the lower positions. There are typical Rickenbacker fingerboard separation repairs (almost ubiquitous on 1960s models) on either side cleanly done with no overfinish. Overall this 450/12 plays and sounds exactly as it should; a classic mid-'60s Rick. It includes a modern Fender-style Brown Tolex HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This Model 450/12 is a splendid example of the Rickenbacker company's only 1960s solid body 12 string. This one was made in August 1967, several years after the Beatle connection catapulted the firm's guitars into popular legend.
The 450 is the most basic Rickenbacker 12-string, offering the then much in demand Beatle/Byrds jangle sound in a less expensive solid body solid body format. It is built to the standard layout of the "cresting wave" 400 solid-body series mated with the company's ingenious half-slotted 12-string headstock. The 450/12 mounts two of Rickenbacker's classic 1960s "toaster top" pickups in its white pickguard controlled with the basic the basic 4-knob, 1 switch circuitry. Other features include a plain dot fingerboard inlay and bridge/tailpiece unit set into the body with a single piece saddle (nicknamed the "Chrome worm").
The "Fireglo" red sunburst is nicely blended making for a very attractive instrument. While not as iconic to the British invasion era as the company's semi-hollow 330/12 and 360/12 models, the solid-body 450/12 is a great-sounding and super sharp-looking guitar, with its own distinctive character. The sound is very close to the hollowbody 360/12 if perhaps a bit brighter and the guitar is a very compact, easy handling instrument, an overlooked gem in Rickenbacker's crown.
Overall length is 37 in. (94 cm.), 12 11/16 in. (32.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 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 a nice example overall, remaining original with the only alteration being a (1970s?) brass nut in place of Rickenbacker's usual black composite piece. The all-original thin lacquer shows some general wear with dings, dents and scuffs overall, most notably belt buckle wear into but mostly not through the finish on the back. The Fireglo finish is still bright and unfaded, and except for the replaced nut the guitar is fully original.
The original frets show some light wear, and there is some wear to the wood on the lacquered fingerboard mostly in the lower positions. There are typical Rickenbacker fingerboard separation repairs (almost ubiquitous on 1960s models) on either side cleanly done with no overfinish. Overall this 450/12 plays and sounds exactly as it should; a classic mid-'60s Rick. It includes a modern Fender-style Brown Tolex HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.