Finding weird 360s produced between 1970 and 1973 is largely to be expected. That’s why I love transitional 360s so much—you never know exactly what combination of features you’re gonna get. 330s are kind of boring in comparison. But in doing my research for the 330 timeline piece I stumbled across something new: a weird 330/12 from November, 1973.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “yes, a bound neck is unusual on a 330/12, but almost every 6 string 330 from 1971-1972 used the 331’s bound fretboard, so it’s not THAT weird.” Well, you’re wrong. Count the frets. The 331 board had 24 frets, and this one has…20?
Its listing on the register has a story of the guitar’s history—allegedly played by Danny Gatton, among others—but no explanation for the binding or the number of frets.
The binding is consistent in appearance with the 331, 24-fret 360, 480, and 4003, all of which had bound ends like this one. I’m pretty sure it’s original. I just don’t know why.
Everything else on the guitar is 100% consistent with a 1973 330/12. It just has this weird binding. I guess I should know to never be surprised by an early 1970s Rickenbacker…but this time I was!
Want to learn more about…everything else? Check out the rickenbacker101 site map and see what’s already been covered! Have a suggestion about what we should tackle next? Drop it in the comments and we’ll add it to the queue.
I love these weird ones.
But you missed the most interesting thing here....
re: "Count the frets. The 331 board had 24 frets, and this one has 21!"
Count the frets again please. :)
I’d love to have one of these 12’s!!