The Rickenbacker 1000 was one of a trio of short scale length (three quarter sized) student guitars introduced in 1957 (the others were the 900 and 950 models). The Rickenbacker 1000 had a single pickup and an 18 fret neck. These guitars had tulip shaped neck-through bodies - initially symmetrical but the lower cutaway soon was enlarged to allow better access to the upper frets. Finish options were brown, black, gray, natural and fireglo. Although the 1000 disappeared from price lists between 1962 and 1966 it was in continuous production until 1971.

Production of the 900 began in 1957 and ended in 1980

RICKENBACKER made the 950 between 1957 and 1980. It was the two pickup version of the 900 model and both these models were three-quarter sized neck-through electrics which intially had tulip shaped bodies. Between 1968 and 1975, the body shape of 950 was changed to the cresting wave style. Maple body and neck, with rosewood fingerboard.

Source: The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Richard R. Smith.