Rickenbacker 1997

Let’s pretend Pete Townshend didn’t smash so many of these into Marshalls for a moment and savour one he never got his hands upon! A 21-fret Rickie with an f-hole means only one thing – it’s a Rose Morris import – this isn’t a re-issue, it’s a best guess 1965. It’s a 1 o’clock model – only eight 2 o’clock models are known to exist.

It has obviously had a decent and busy life in its early years – the owner put a fair few miles on the clock back then, but as with many beautiful old guitars like this, they get put in a case, left alone while life takes over, and then re-surfaces 40 years later looking just as good but not playing so well.

This sensitive restoration involved replacing a Gibson tail-piece with a period-correct Trapeze style item, careful repair of a bent machine-head (don’t believe what you read on the forums, this can be done) to keep it as original as possible, replacement of chipped and broken knobs, an electrical service, a careful fret dress, a sensitive clean, new saddle cover and general recommissioning which thankfully requires a lot of testing, playing and having fun with.

The goal with this one was to keep its fabulous patina, but make it play as smoothly and comfortably as it once did; the expression on the face of the owner as he was re-united with it spelled success.

Always beautiful in looks and sounds, always a challenge, and the types of challenge we relish.