These guitars had been designed by Beauchamp, assisted at the National String Instruments Corporation by Harry Watson and Paul Barth. They chose the name Rickenbacher and later changed it to Rickenbacker, though early examples use the brand name Electro.
Rickenbacker was the 1st company to successfully market the electric guitars. The pre-WWII Spanish and Pre-WWII lapsteels models are rare and now collectible, but really more for its historic reasons than for playing. Post-WWII lapsteels are very interesting, but not to the extent of the pre-WWII models.
The most valued and interesting Rickenbackers are the hollowbody models. In particular made in late 50’s, the 1958 up to pre-June 1964 models with the old classic style-squared edge body shape, TV or stove knobs, and gold pickguard are the most interesting to collectors. The market has a different site though, the newer 1964 and later hollowbody models with checked sparkle and binding fingerboard inlays are collectible, because of their association with the bands Byrds, Beatles, and other great 1960′s super groups. The export guitar models are also very collectible.
The Rickenbacker 360 Electric Guitar broke all the rules of guitars when it appeared amidst the British sound of the 60s. Updated through the years, this classic deluxe semi-hollowbody with its special contour around the entire casing body perimeter is very comfortable. Its unique body shape and rosewood fingerboard inlaid attached with triangular pearloid markers offer retro visuals. The guitar’s maple neck has dual truss rods while the single-coil pickups deliver everything from biting overdrive to clean tone. Its controls include tone and volume via a 3-way selector for each pickup. A master preset that allows tone and volume settings to be accessed in an instant with a toggle. Stereo output is standard with the Rickenbacker 360.