Is this 1966 Rickenbacker 360 a fake?

[broken_sound]

I’ve been talking with a fellow not too far from me about acquiring his 1966 Rickenbacker 360 Jetglow. There’s a couple things that just seem a little off that I can’t find similar images anywhere on the interwebs. The input plate dates to September of ‘66. Does this look like a fake to you?

• Neck volute
• Scarf joint
• Incorrect truss rod cover (I believe)
• Incorrect tuners (I believe)
• Replaced nut

Rick copies always seem to be way off, and many of the minute details are correct (slotted screws on plate, exposed fretboard under binding, rubber grommets on the toasters, etc.). I’m fairly stumped.

 

[rubbersoul]

I'm not an expert enough to tell you. But, if you don't get a lot of help here, I can say that the folks on the Rickenbacker Facebook page are experts who would be able to help you quickly without a doubt. Good luck.

 

[bterry]

@Highnumbers

 

[FenderLester]

Truss cover is a replacement. Originals were flat with Rickenbacker printed on the back showing through the clear plastic. That or the guitar is possibly a 90's reissue of a 1966-ish model. The metal parts look pretty clean for a '66. Ask for a gut shot of the wiring and date the pots and components.

 

[Highnumbers]

This is a legit 60s Rickenbacker 360 (the body shape is unmistakable and not like any reissues or copies since then).

That said, this is firmly a player grade guitar so proceed accordingly.

Without seeing a gut shot, I can’t tell you more about the wiring but it appears the following:

- Likely refinished (either just the neck or the entire body), a dab of acetone in a discreet spot on the body will confirm if it’s refinished, original Ricks are catalyzed conversion varnish and aren’t affected by acetone.

- I assume it’s a refinished neck because that neck volute is not original and is something that’s only ever added when there has been a bad headstock break.

Replaced parts: truss rod cover (as noted above), tuners (should be double line Kluson), nut, bridge and two knobs. The tailpiece is also not original, since the six-string R tailpiece was not introduced until 1968 (prior to that, they all used 12-string types).

And of course the case is not original either.

Depending on whether the body finish is original, I could give you a realistic idea of its current value.


P.S. the dual jackplate is mounted upside down. I can only assume it’s been removed at one point

 

[broken_sound]

Wow! Thank you @Highnumbers