[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 1997 360 12 V64 12 String Electric Guitar Fireglo Mint THEGEARGEEKS $2,199.00 Time Remaining: 29d 17h 44m Buy It Now for only: $2,199.00 |
 RARE Rickenbacker Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitar 381 Maple 6 String w Case 08 $2,500.00 (47 Bids) Time Remaining: 34m |
 2008 RICKENBACKER 650C COLORADO JG 6 STRING GUITAR WITH CASE 650 BLACK JETGLO $1,495.00 Time Remaining: 9d 21h Buy It Now for only: $1,495.00 |
 1956 Rickenbacker Combo 800 Vintage Guitar $10,750.00 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 51m Buy It Now for only: $10,750.00 |
 1986 RICKENBACKER 325 JETGLO SAME AS JOHN LENNONS GUITAR HSC $2,499.99 Time Remaining: 9d 23h 22m Buy It Now for only: $2,499.99 |
 RICKENBACKER M11 guitar amp 1956 12Jensen groove tubes mullard amperex Nice $461.69 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 4m |
 2004 RICKENBACKER 360 FIREGLO RIC FG GUITAR WITH CASE RED RIC O SOUND $1,850.00 Time Remaining: 9d 21h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,850.00 |
 RICKENBACKER 620 12 STRING GUITAR $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 |
 1997 Rickenbacker model 330 12 string electric guitar $1,495.00 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 34m Buy It Now for only: $1,495.00 |
 Rickenbacker 75th Anniversary 660 6 guitar $2,990.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23m |
 RARE VINTAGE RICKENBACKER ELECTRIC GUITAR COMBO AMP TR25 TR 25 AMPLIFIER USA $145.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 28m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 |
 Used Rickenbacker 660 Fireglo Guitar Great shape with case $1,749.00 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1,749.00 |