1968 Rickenbacker 366/12 6-12 Converter Guitar

Although the last thing the red-hot Beatles needed in early 1964 was a “secret weapon,” that’s exactly what they got when George Harrison received the 1st of his first Rickenbacker 12-strings, in a beautiful Fireglo finish, in February of that year, during the Beatles’ first U.S. tour. The guitar was given to him by Francis C. Hall, owner and president of the California-based Rickenbacker company, which is now celebrating its 86th anniversary. Hall spoke to Brian Epstein before the Beatles arrived in the U.S. and arranged a meeting with the group. On February 8 at the Savoy Hilton in New York City, he showed the band several different models. Lennon tried out the 360/12 but thought it would be better for Harrison, who was sick in bed at the Plaza Hotel. When Harrison finally got to see it, he loved it immediately. He used it exclusively from their Ed Sullivan performance all the way thru their breakup on every song in need of a 12-string guitar.

The Rickenbacker 12-string guitar has always been a steadfast factor for any 60’s Rock Music Fans as every band had someone playing one ie George Harrison, Tom Petty & Pete Townsend to name a few. This is their unusual 366/12 model having a “Comb Convertor” that attached to 6 of the 12 strings & literally pulls them down to leave it play only 6 strings on the fly !  Its ultra rare having only 92 examples made in 1968, most having the infamous “Fireglo” finish. That color is stunning showing off its beautiful carved & highly figured maple body front & back sporting what has became Rickenbacker folk law…that checkerboard bound body w/its crushed pearl inlaid fingerboard over a 3-piece Walnut & Maple neck. Its 2 “Toaster” pickups are powerful w/its intricate 60’s “Ching-Chang” or Rock tones like no other. She’s sporting her original White pickgards w/a matching White Truss Rod Cover. Its 12 Kluson Deluxe tuners work perfectly. It sports 5 chrome capped Black Vol. & Tone knobs. Its got its original adjustible bridge and cool “R” tailpiece. The serial # of “HA” designates it to be from January 1968. She’s excellent overall & a completely original & uncirculated example. She comes complete w/her original Silver Tolex/Blue lined hard case.