Rickenbacker Model 425 Solid Body Electric Guitar (1963)
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Item # 12652
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Rickenbacker Model 425 Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1963), made in Los Angeles, serial # CA07, Fireglo red sunburst finish, maple body and neck, paduak fingerboard, original silver tolex hard shell case.
This beautiful Model 425 is a cool example of the Rickenbacker company's early 1960s period solid-bodies, and a true (if "Dark Horse") Beatle guitar. This example was made in January 1963, about a year before the Beatle connection catapulted the firm forever into the popular legend. George Harrison himself bought an identical guitar while visiting his sister in the US in 1963; his was serial number BH439 made in August '63. Harrison's 425 was originally Fireglo like this one, but the shop refinished it in black for him to match John Lennon's refinished 325. He did not use it for very long, but it was seen in his hands during some appearances with the group in late 1963.
The 425 was the most basic model in the company's "cresting wave" solid-body series, with one "toaster top" pickup mounted through the white pickguard, plain dot fingerboard inlay and slightly eccentric 2-knob, 1 switch circuitry. The standard slim Rickenbacker neck has a full 24 3/4" scale, dot inlaid fingerboard and the classic Rick headstock, fitted with plastic button Kluson Deluxe machines. The 425 is built to a neck-through design, with the maple body "wings" added to the solid centerpiece. The face is mostly covered by the white Lucite pickguard, mirrored by the logo plate on the headstock covering the dual truss rods. The bridge has a flat plate integral tailpiece mounted beneath a solid height-adjustable bridge saddle Rick collectors have nicknamed the "Chrome worm"'
The "Fireglo" red sunburst on this guitar is nicely blended and it is a very attractive instrument, a modest classic of its day. The center-mounted single pickup configuration makes for a pleasant sounding if not particularly versatile guitar. The wiring scheme is odd to modern sensibilities but functional; the volume knob is the lower of the two, while the 2-way tone switch offers settings not widely dissimilar to each other in conjunction with the upper knob which, as with all Rickenbackers from this era works in the reverse of modern practice. While not as iconic to the "British invasion" era as the company's semi-hollow 330-375 models, the solid-body 425 is a super sharp-looking guitar, a fine player with an utterly distinctive character.
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 all original guitar shows some signe of 60+ years of use with small dings, dents and scuffs overall, but no major wear or damage. The edges of the body have sone spots worn down to the wood, and the back shows belt buckle scuffing into but not through the lacquer. All components are original and complete, with some light general wear. The original frets have been crowned down a bit and the instrument plays very well, complete in its original Silver Tolex HSC (with one broken latch) and the original Rickenbacker strap and polish cloth. Excellent - Condition.
This beautiful Model 425 is a cool example of the Rickenbacker company's early 1960s period solid-bodies, and a true (if "Dark Horse") Beatle guitar. This example was made in January 1963, about a year before the Beatle connection catapulted the firm forever into the popular legend. George Harrison himself bought an identical guitar while visiting his sister in the US in 1963; his was serial number BH439 made in August '63. Harrison's 425 was originally Fireglo like this one, but the shop refinished it in black for him to match John Lennon's refinished 325. He did not use it for very long, but it was seen in his hands during some appearances with the group in late 1963.
The 425 was the most basic model in the company's "cresting wave" solid-body series, with one "toaster top" pickup mounted through the white pickguard, plain dot fingerboard inlay and slightly eccentric 2-knob, 1 switch circuitry. The standard slim Rickenbacker neck has a full 24 3/4" scale, dot inlaid fingerboard and the classic Rick headstock, fitted with plastic button Kluson Deluxe machines. The 425 is built to a neck-through design, with the maple body "wings" added to the solid centerpiece. The face is mostly covered by the white Lucite pickguard, mirrored by the logo plate on the headstock covering the dual truss rods. The bridge has a flat plate integral tailpiece mounted beneath a solid height-adjustable bridge saddle Rick collectors have nicknamed the "Chrome worm"'
The "Fireglo" red sunburst on this guitar is nicely blended and it is a very attractive instrument, a modest classic of its day. The center-mounted single pickup configuration makes for a pleasant sounding if not particularly versatile guitar. The wiring scheme is odd to modern sensibilities but functional; the volume knob is the lower of the two, while the 2-way tone switch offers settings not widely dissimilar to each other in conjunction with the upper knob which, as with all Rickenbackers from this era works in the reverse of modern practice. While not as iconic to the "British invasion" era as the company's semi-hollow 330-375 models, the solid-body 425 is a super sharp-looking guitar, a fine player with an utterly distinctive character.
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 all original guitar shows some signe of 60+ years of use with small dings, dents and scuffs overall, but no major wear or damage. The edges of the body have sone spots worn down to the wood, and the back shows belt buckle scuffing into but not through the lacquer. All components are original and complete, with some light general wear. The original frets have been crowned down a bit and the instrument plays very well, complete in its original Silver Tolex HSC (with one broken latch) and the original Rickenbacker strap and polish cloth. Excellent - Condition.