The Rickenbacker 360 (introduced in 1958) has many features that became standard on Rickenbacker guitars. Models from 1958 to 1964 (the old style) had an offset double cutaway semi-hollow maple body, wedge-shaped soundhole, pickguard, through-body maple neck, 21-fret bound thick rosewood fingerboard with pearl triangle inlay, double truss rods, tune-o-matic bridge/R-style trapeze tailpiece. The pickups are 2 single coil units controlled by 2 volume/2 tone diamond controls, 3-position switch and wired for stereo. The finish options are Autumnglo, Black, Fireglo, Natural, or Two Tone Brown finishes.

In 1964 the 360 New Style was released and with an unbound rounded top, bound soundhole and checkered body binding, this new style model ran from 1964 to 1990. In the early 1960s, round control knobs and bi-level pickguards began replacing originals. In 1960, stereo output became optional. In 1963, a mixer control was added. In modern reissues of the 360, there is no body or  f-hole binding. Starting around 1969 some 360s were produced with slanted frets for 'a natural finger angle' but this feature was not popular with players and the design reverted to standard frets.