[Please see our extensive listing of used Rickenbacker guitars following a brief introduction of the company.]
Rickenbacker (Rickenbacker International Corporation) manufacturers electric and bass guitars, and is based in Santa Ana, California. The company was the first to mass-produce electric guitars back in 1932, and still produces both electric and bass guitars.
In 1931 Rickenbacker began doing business as the Ro-Pat-In Corporation (ElectRo-Patent-Instruments), being founded by Adolph Rickenbacher and George Beauchamp. They originally started the business to sell electric Hawaiian guitars, which were designed by Beauchamp while at the National String Instruments Corporation. The Ro-Pat-In Corporation soon became Rickenbacher, and was subsequently changed to Rickenbacker. Some early Rickenbacker instruments display the name of Electro.
The first electric guitars produced by Rickenbacker were dubbed "frying pans" because of their long necks and circular bodies. Although these were, in fact, the first solid-body electric guitars manufactured, they were a lap-steel type. The pickups were nothing more than a pair of horseshoe magnets that arched above the strings. The "frying pans" manufactured, numbered in the thousands before being discontinued in 1939.
In the 1960s, Rickenbacker became prominent on the world stage when two different models were often seen and heard by Beatles fans worldwide. The Beatles were not the only time group to use Rickenbacker instruments, and in fact, the list would include nearly all top rock guitarists of the time. After the 1960s the popularity of Rickenbacker guitars waned somewhat, but Rickenbacker basses were still very popular. After the decline of demand of Rickenbacker guitars for years, it is such now that the factory cannot supply enough to feed the market. The instruments are especially popular with cover bands playing music from the 1960s.
Rickenbacker is truly one of the legendary guitar manufacturers of our day, and there is much more information to be found out about this amazing company, but it is far beyond the scope of this short introduction.
[Below is a listing of used Rickenbacker guitars.]
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 Rickenbacker 481 slanted fret guitar 1975 MINT $4,500.00 Time Remaining: 5h 28m |
 1965 Rickenbacker Model 450 Vintage Guitar OHSC $2,195.00 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 9m Buy It Now for only: $2,195.00 |
 1968 Rickenbacker 420 Guitar Fireglo Maple Rosewood Hard Case Smaller Body $1,299.99 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 46m Buy It Now for only: $1,299.99 |
 1967 RICKENBACKER 366 12 CONVERTIBLE FIREGLO 12 STRING VINTAGE GUITAR $3,899.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3,899.99 |
 RICKENBACKER 660 6 FIREGLO OHSC 6lbs 15oz USA SUPER CLEAN 660 ELECTRIC GUITAR $1,849.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 23m Buy It Now for only: $1,849.99 |
 NEW ROCK BAND BEATLES PS3 John Lennon Rickenbacker 325 Wireless Guitar $101.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 55m |
 1940s Rickenbacker Electro Lap Steel Electric Guitar $510.00 Time Remaining: 15d 19h 54m Buy It Now for only: $510.00 |
 Rickenbacker Tom Petty 660 Fireglo 12 String Guitar 45 HD IMAGES $3,695.00 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 38m Buy It Now for only: $3,695.00 |
 2000 Rickenbacker 360 12 V64 Fireglo Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitar $2,699.00 Time Remaining: 22d 18h 44m Buy It Now for only: $2,699.00 |
 1966 Rickenbacker Electro 900 Fireglo OHSC 3 4 Size Electric Guitar OHSC $1,649.99 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $1,649.99 |
 2005 Rickenbacker 650D 650 Dakota Electric Guitar Excellent Condition NO RESERVE $865.65 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 20h 5m |
 2008 RICKENBACKER 650C COLORADO JG 6 STRING GUITAR WITH CASE 650 BLACK JETGLO $1,495.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1,495.00 |