Finding Mfg Date on Old Ricks

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 5 May 2000 12:10 am

Hi Guys...

How do you determine the manufacturing date of the old Rick Bakelites? I have just gotten one of the old gray jobs, and find patent numbers on the pickup brackets, but no serial number, or any other identifying marks, other than the name on the headstock. Also, it looks like old newspaper under the pickup.....it would be interesting to read the date on that!!! Can anyone help me out?? Thanks....

Billy Easton
Casa Grande, Arizona
wweaston@casagrande.com

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 5 May 2000 1:18 am

That's exactly how you date them-read the date on the newspaper.It was actually put in as part of the manufacturing process to damp down the body resonance.I dated my Silver Hawiian to April 1951. -MJ-

Chris DeBarge · Post by **Chris DeBarge** » 5 May 2000 3:46 am

If you CAN find a serial number (usually on the jack plate), they have a way of deciphering it over at the Rick site:

http://www.rickenbacker.com