Serial numbers and approximate date of manufacture.

Dating Rickenbackers from 1961 to 1986

Serial letters and numbers were stamped on the jackplate.  Look for a two letter date code.  The first letter gives the year (starting with A for 1961) and the second letter is the month of manufacture, A through L.  For example "AC" = a 1961, March manufacture date.

Dating Rickenbacker models from 1987 to 1991

From 1987 to 1991 the dating is a little different.  Now we are looking for a letter and a number above the jack.  The code should look like "A8".  You will need the first 2 characters.  The first letter on jackplate is the month and the number is the year starting with 1987 represented by "0".  For example a A0= a January, 1987 manufacture date and C2= March 1989 manufacture date.