RICKENBACKER 420

  • Rickenbacker 420 electric guitar
    Rickenbacker 420

Overview

Brand name: 

Product: 

  • electric guitars

Series name: 

Variant of: 

Dates of manufacture: 

1965 to 1984

The RICKENBACKER 420 was introduced in 1965 when a Boyd vibrato tailpiece was added to the model 425. The non-vibrato version of the 425 guitar was then given the model number 420 (although non-vibrato 425s had been around since 1958 - as played in 1963 by George Harrison of the Beatles). The 420 had a cresting wave shaped maple body with neck-though-body construction, a single pickup controlled by single volume & tone controls. The Rickenbacker discontinued the 420 model in 1984.

Specifications (16)

Controls

Tone controls1 tone control
Volume controls1 volume control

Electronics

Pickups brand and modelRickenbacker Single Coil Toaster Top pickup(s)

General

Finish effectssunburst finish
Made inUSA
Number of strings6 strings

Body

Body materialmaple body
Body stylecresting wave style
Pickguard materialwhite pickguard

Hardware

Bridgefixed bridge
Hardware colorchrome hardware

Fretboard

Fingerboard materialrosewood fingerboard
Fingerboard position markersdot fingerboard position markers

Neck

Neck jointneck through body
Neck materialmaple neck
Number of frets21 fret

Prices (4)

DatePriceConditionNameComments
1981$450newList price
2015$1300good
1976£125newPaul WBought when I was 17 as my first real-brand guitar. Previously had Columbus Les Paul copy. Though beautiful to play I found it disappointing becuse, not having a valve amp I found it difficult to get much punch out of it. 40 years on I still have it and appreciate it much more as a rather sweet little gem, with fresh and soulful sound which fits more with my years! I always had problems getting it to stay in tune with the original bridge. Had it replaced a few years ago with something more sophisticated and now much happier. Would be interested how much it is worth.
1973$275.00excellentPeterNatural maple clear Finnish. Replaced white pick guard with a black one 30 years ago.

Reviews (1)

RICKENBACKER 420 reviewed by Anonymous

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Great little lightweight guitar. Good Rickenbacker ringing tone. The neck is narrow with good action. I recently purchased a 1965 420 and am impressed with how well it withstood the the perils of time.

Gallery (0)

Players (1)

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