So let’s begin with a simple question: what exactly is a special run? In this context, we’re defining it as a run of at least two identical guitars with specifications that do not appear in the catalog/price list for the given year of production. That spec could be color, binding, pickups, number of frets, etc.
The frustrating thing about special runs is that you almost have to know they exist in order to know they exist. They don’t show up in catalogs, don’t appear in price lists, and often survive only as rumors until enough examples emerge to prove they were actually a thing. The goal here is simply to gather as many of those oddballs as possible in one place.
We’ll leave out the 60’s era “private label” guitars like Ryder and Symfonia Grande as these are covered elsewhere. Clear?
For each item we’ll give the year of production, the number produced, and the unique/non-standard feature(s) of the guitar.
A quick note about production numbers. When you see an unqualified number, I have a high level of confidence in that number based on my research. “About x” indicates an estimate based on similar runs and Register data. “??”or “a large number” means I simply don’t know. If you can help fill in any of these blanks, please do.
This article covers special runs produced between 2015 and today. Special runs produced between 1983 and 2014 can be found HERE.
Finally, before we start, let me be clear: I am 100% certain this list is incomplete. Special runs have an annoying habit of revealing themselves only after you’ve declared victory and hit publish. If I’ve missed something, gotten a production number wrong, or overlooked an entire run, please let me know and I’ll fix it.
2016 Matte Black 360WB “Noir”:
A run of 25 was produced for the US market. Features checkered binding, Macassar Ebony fingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black TRC with engraved outlined logo, and black on white “eclipse” dot position markers. Click HERE to learn more about the Noir guitars.
2016 Matte Black 4003 “Noir”:
A run of 25 was produced for the US market. Features checkered binding, Macassar Ebony fingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black TRC with engraved outlined logo, and black on white “eclipse” dot position markers. Click HERE to learn more about the Noir guitars.
2016 Santa Ana Skyglo 1993 Plus:
A run of 7 was produced for the US market. Standard appointments.
2016 Snowglo 330:
A run of 25 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Standard appointments.
2016 Snowglo 4003:
A run of 20 was produced in 2016 for the US market. Standard appointments.
2016 Snowglo 4004L:
A run of 20 was produced in 2016 for the US market. Standard appointments.
2017 British Racing Green 330:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features toasters, all other appointments standard although at least one dealer (Sound Affects) replaced the R tailpiece with a trapeze.
2017 British Racing Green 4003:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2017 Cieloglo 4003:
A run of 20 was produced for US retailer Chicago Music Exchange. Standard appointments.
2017 Copper Orangeglo 4003:
A run of 20 was produced for US retailer Willcutt Guitars. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2017 Jetglo Pearlstars 4003S:
A run of 10 was produced for US retailer Sweetwater. Features a maple fretboard, mirror-backed pickguard and truss rod cover with an outlined Rickenbacker logo, “MADE IN USA”, and trademark “R” engraved on the back, and chrome knobs as used on the 650 series guitars.
2017 Light Mocha Cream 360WB:
A run of 15 was produced for US retailer Eddie’s Guitars. A double bound 24 fret 360 featuring an unfinished Macassar Ebony fingerboard without any fret markers, black hardware/black trim, a black TRC with engraved outlined logo, and an f-hole. A similar guitar was made at the same time for Eddie’s in Matte Black.
2017 Matte Black 360WB:
A run 15 was produced for US retailer Eddie’s Guitars. A double bound 24 fret 360 featuring an unfinished Macassar Ebony fingerboard without any fret markers, black hardware/black trim, a black TRC with engraved outlined logo, and an f-hole. A similar guitar was made at the same time for Eddie’s in Light Mocha Cream.
2017 Matte Black 4003 “Noir”:
A second run of 4003 Noirs—about this time was produced with at about 20 going to the Japanese market and the balance to U.S. retailer Sweetwater. Features checkered binding, a Macassar Ebony fingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black TRC with engraved outlined logo, and black on white “eclipse” dot position markers. Click HERE to learn more about the Noir guitars.
2017 Satin Mapleglo 4001S:
A run of about 15 was produced for the Japanese market. Essentially a 4001C64 with the headstock oriented in the “right” direction.
2017 Walnutglo 4003 CB:
A run of 20 was produced in 2017 for US retailer Chicago Music Exchange. Features checkered binding and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2018 Goldglo 4003 CB:
A run of 20 was produced to celebrate US retailer Wilcutt Guitars’ 50th anniversary. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2018 Goldglo 620:
A run of 15 was produced to celebrate US retailer Wilcutt Guitars’ 50th anniversary. Standard appointments.
2018 Goldglo 620/12:
A run of 10 was produced to celebrate US retailer Wilcutt Guitars’ 50th anniversary. Standard appointments.
2018 Jetglo 360WB CB:
A run of 25 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white backpainted plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
2018 Jetglo Pearlstars 360/12:
A run of about 5 was produced for US retailer Wildwood Guitars. Standard appointments.
2018 Montezuma Amberglo 4003 CB:
A run of 15 was produced for US retailer Wildwood Guitars. Features checkered binding and a toaster neck pickup. All other appointments standard.
2018 Satin Autumnglo 370:
A run of 20 was produced for the US market. Features toaster pickups, gold plastics, and Rogan knobs.
2018 Snowglo 4003 CB:
A run of 25 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2019 Candy Apple Green 4003 CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2019 Copper Orangeglo 4003S/5:
A run of 5 was produced for US retailer Chicago Music Exchange. Features a maple neck. All other appointments standard.
2019 Jetglo Pearlstars 330:
A run of about 5 was produced for US retailer Fuller’s Guitar. Features a maple fretboard and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2019 Jetglo Pearlstars 4003:
A run of about 25 was produced for US retailers. Features a maple fretboard and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2019 Jetglo Pearlstars 4003S:
A run of about 25 was produced for US retailer Eddie’s Guitars. Features a maple fretboard and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2019 Pillar Box Red 360:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard.
2019 Pillar Box Red 4003:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard
2019 Pillar Box Red 4003S:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard.
2020 Amber Fireglo (New Version) 360WB CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
2020 Autumnglo 360WB CB:
A run of 6(?) was produced for US retailer Fuller’s Guitar. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
2020 Candy Apple Purple 4003 CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2020 Cieloglo 4003S:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailer Sam Ash. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard.
2020 Metallic Plumglo 4003S:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailer Sam Ash. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard.
2020 Montezuma Amberglo 4003 CB:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailer Wildwood Guitars. Features checkered binding, “charactered” maple wings, and a toaster neck pickup. All other appointments standard.
2020 Montezuma Brown 4003 CB SPC:
A run of 27 was produced for the US market. Similar in concept to the 4003S Al Cisneros Signature model, it features checkered binding, two bridge pickup/pickup surround assemblies, and a teardrop shaped pickguard.
2020 Pillar Box Red 330:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard.
2020 Pillar Box Red 4003S:
A run of 25 was produced for UK distributor Rosetti. Features a maple fingerboard. All other appointments standard.
2020 Ruby Pearlstars 4003:
A run of about 20 was produced for the US market. Features a maple fretboard. All other appointments standard.
2020 Satin Mapleglo 4003 CB:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailer Sweetwater. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2021-2022 Midnight Purple 330 BH/BT:
Three production batches of about 20-30 guitars each were produced for US and export markets during 2021-2022. Features black hardware/black trim with a chrome-lettered molded black truss rod cover.
2021 Satin Autumnglo 4003 CB:
A run of about 25 was produced for the US market. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2021 Satin Mapleglo 4003:
A run of about 20 was produced for the US market. Standard appointments.
2022 Candy Apple Purple 360:
A run of 10 was produced for US retailer Eddie’s Guitars. The color appears in photos to be a little bit “greyer” than the 2020 4003 produced for Andy Babiuks Fab Gear. Standard appointments.
2022 Matte Black 620 “Noir”:
A run of 25 was produced for US retailer Swing City Music. Features checkered binding, black hardware/black trim, a black backpainted plexi TRC, and black on white “eclipse” dot position markers. Click HERE to learn more about the Noir guitars.
2022 Midnight Blue 350V63.
A run of 15 was produced for US retailer Eddie’s Guitars. Standard appointments. A bit of an odd run: made after Midnight Blue was discontinued, but this model/color combo was available as stock before MID was discontinued.
2022 Midnight Blue 4030:
A run of 8 was produced for US retailer Willcutt Guitars. Features checkered binding, a Richlite fingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black backpainted plexi truss rod cover, and “hot” toaster pickups.
2022 Ruby 4030:
A run of 8 was produced for US retailer Willcutt Guitars. Features checkered binding, a Richlite fingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black backpainted plexi truss rod cover, and “hot” toaster pickups.
2022 Satin Autumnglo 4003 CB:
A run of about 20 was produced for the US market. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2022 Satin Mapleglo 4003 CB:
Several runs were produced throughout the year for the US market. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2022 Yellowglo 4003 CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2023 Candy Apple Green 4003 CB:
A run of 5 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2023 Satin Autumnglo (Orange Version) 360/12:
A run of around 50 was produced for the US market. Standard appointments.
2023 Satin Autumnglo (Orange Version) 4003 CB:
A run of about 20 was produced for the US market. Features checkered binding. All other appointments standard.
2023 Snowglo 360WB CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
2024 Candy Apple Green 360WB CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
2024 Orangeglo 4003 CB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2025 Autumnglo 4030:
A run of 10 was produced for US retailer Willcutt Guitars. Features checkered binding, a Richlitefingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black backpaintedplexi truss rod cover, and “hot” toaster pickups.
2025 Candy Apple Purple 4003 CB:
A run of 3 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2025 Cieloglo 330:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailer Sweetwater. Features standard appointments.
2025 Coralglo 360WB
A run of about 5 was produced for US retailer Thunder Road Guitars. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck with crushed pearl inlays, gold plastics, Rogan knobs, and toaster pickups.
2025 Coralglo 360/12WB
A run of about 5 was produced for US retailer Thunder Road Guitars. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck with crushed pearl inlays, gold plastics, Rogan knobs, and toaster pickups.
2025 Hawaiian Blue 4003:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2025 Jetglo Pearlstars 4003:
A run of 28 was produced for US retailers. Features a maple fretboard and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2025 Midnight Green 330:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailer Sweetwater. Features standard appointments.
2025 Midnight Green 360:
A run of about ?? was produced for the European market. Features standard appointments.
2025 Midnight Green 4030S:
A run of 25 was produced for the European market. Features standard appointments.
2025 Midnight Purple 4003S:
A run of about ?? was produced for the UK market. Features standard appointments.
2025 Montezuma Brown 330:
A run of 18 was produced for US retailers. Features standard appointments.
2025 Orangeglo 360WB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
2025 Ruby 330:
A run of 18 was produced for US retailers. Features standard appointments.
2025 Satin Autumnglo 360:
A run of about 20 was produced for US retailers. Features gold plastics, Rogan knobs, and toaster pickups.
2025 Satin Autumnglo 4003S
A run of about ?? was produced for the UK market. Features gold plastics, Rogan knobs, and a toaster pickup at the neck.
2025 Seafoam Green Pearl 360WB
A run of about 5 was produced for US retailer Thunder Road Guitars. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck with crushed pearl inlays, gold plastics, Rogan knobs, and toaster pickups.
2025 Seafoam Green Pearl 360/12WB
A run of about 5 was produced for US retailer Thunder Road Guitars. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck with crushed pearl inlays, gold plastics, Rogan knobs, and toaster pickups.
2026 British Racing Green 3030
A run of about 15 was produced for sale through the Rickenbacker Boutique. The 3030 is 24.75” scale bass built on a 330 body. Utilizes the 4005V’s bridge and tailpiece, and Schaller tuners. All other appointments standard 330.
2026 Fireglo 3030
A run of 5 was produced for sale through the Rickenbacker Boutique. The 3030 is 24.75” scale bass built on a 330 body. Utilizes the 4005V’s bridge and tailpiece, and Schaller tuners. All other appointments standard 330.
2026 Jetglo 3030
A run of 5 was produced for sale through the Rickenbacker Boutique. The 3030 is 24.75” scale bass built on a 330 body. Utilizes the 4005V’s bridge and tailpiece, and Schaller tuners. All other appointments standard 330.
2026 Jetglo Pearlstars 330:
A run of about 10 was produced for the UK market. Features a maple fretboard, toaster pickups, and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2026 Jetglo Pearlstars 4003S
A run of about 10 was produced for US retailer Sweetwater. Features a maple fretboard and gold plastics. All other appointments standard.
2026 Mapleglo 3030
A run of 5 was produced for sale through the Rickenbacker Boutique. The 3030 is 24.75” scale bass built on a 330 body. Utilizes the 4005V’s bridge and tailpiece, and Schaller tuners. All other appointments standard 330.
2026 Matte Black 4003 “Noir”:
A run of 20 was produced for and sold through the Rickenbacker Boutique. Features checkered binding, Macassar Ebony fingerboard, black hardware/black trim, a black TRC with engraved outlined logo, and black on white “eclipse” dot position markers. Click HERE to learn more about the Noir guitars.
2026 Midnight Purple 1993Plus:
A run of 8 was produced for and sold through the Rickenbacker Boutique. Features standard appointments.
2026 Midnight Purple 360/12C63:
A run of about 10 was produced for and sold through the Rickenbacker Boutique. Features standard appointments.
2026 Montezuma Brown 3030
A run of about 15 was produced for sale through the Rickenbacker Boutique. The 3030 is 24.75” scale bass built on a 330 body. Utilizes the 4005V’s bridge and tailpiece, and Schaller tuners. All other appointments standard 330.
2026 Natural Oil Finish 3030W
A run of 5 was produced for sale through the Rickenbacker Boutique. The 3030 is 24.75” scale bass built on a 330 body. Utilizes the 4005V’s bridge and tailpiece, and Schaller tuners. All other appointments standard 330.
2026 Silverburst 4003:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, white plexi TRC, and a toaster neck pickup.
2026 Yellowglo 360WB:
A run of 30 was produced for US retailer Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. Features checkered binding, a 21 fret neck, white plexi TRC, and toaster pickups.
And as of today, that’s the list. As new special runs are announced, we will add them here. And if we’ve missed anything, let us know and we’ll add it!
add the 360 and 330 Jetglo pearl stars!
Sweetwater currently has another run of Satin Mapleglo 4003s, and literally yesterday had some stock of candy apple red 4003s with gold plastics. They're gone now, so I can't look up the official name.