1964 Rickenbacker Deluxe (1997 Model) 6 String Fireglo - Rose Morris

 1964 Rickenbacker Deluxe, a very scarce instrument with the old style tail which was shortly changed to the famous ‘R’ Tail piece very soon after. Apparently one of only 276 1998 models shipped from 1964 - 1967. Imports started in early 1964 direct from the USA (Called the 345 in America) so this will have been one of the first unless it was carried over to the UK privately, of course made famous by Pete Townshend of The Who who used a Deluxe 3 pick up model during 1965 and on the recording of My Generation.

The guitar is dated to March 1964 (Numbered DC3##) and was given to me a few years ago by a well known recording artist who bought the guitar in the 1970’s and put the instrument away in the early 1980’s after breaking the headstock. I have close pictures of this on listing. It has been professionally re-sprayed in this area to the headstock and part of the neck and is a close match bearing in mind the original paintwork is 59 years old and has faded over time. An original set of genuine 1964 Kluson Deluxe tuners have also been sourced from America and fitted to complete the work removing the non original tuners which were on the guitar when I first got it. The guitar was also recently set up.

The neck is as straight as an arrow and plays beautifully. Obviously without the break the guitar would be up for much more money, examples of deluxe models in clean condition I have seen on the market over the past few years between 10 and 12 thousand pounds so this is a great way of getting the genuine article, that feel and that unbelievable sound of a true vintage 1960's Rickenbacker guitar and this one does pack a punch when required! 

The previous owner had a large sticker on the back of the guitar which has caused the lacquer to come away as pictured. There are some knocks to the guitar and general wear which looks wonderful. From what I can gather the majority of the instrument and it’s parts are all original including the paintwork to the body.

The Deluxe model came with 3 X toaster’ style pick ups of which not many were made.  The toggle has a broken plastic cover and there is a crack on the plastic control panel by the screw and the nib of the shark fin plate is snapped off as pictured, there is what appears to be a light joint split between around the two of the pick ups but it’s solid and certainly not on the move. There has been at some point a strap fitted on the other side as there's a small hole for one, perhaps had a left handed player at some point? The is no whammy bar but would be fairly easy to pick one up.

I have written down the numbers on the pots though not all are legible: 

Pots: 6401 3105 / 6401 3279 / 3648. 137 6343 end / 31056 13? 6401 / 640 1157? ???? (Solder)

A lovely thing with this instrument is that it comes with the original Rickenbacker case which is very solid with a lush blue furry interior, there is some wording sprayed onto the case by the previous owner which is part of it’s history, all the locks work. The case looks to be from around 1965 as it does not have the Rickenbacker text logo which I believe was stopped in 1965.

Will add video later in the week.