Up for sale, a 1993 Rickenbacker 381V69 in excellent condition, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtags. One of only a handful of 381V69s in existence with this custom color, this Rickenbacker is the first example of this model finished in Turquoise, commissioned by Dave's Guitar Shop years before this color saw even limited use across additional Rickenbacker models.

With a prominent German Carve top and back highlighted by checkerboard binding and a custom color finish, few guitars can match the elegant visual appeal of the 381. The toaster top alnico magnet single coil pickups provide a sound that is synonymous with Rickenbacker, producing jangle, chime, and rhythmic percussive cut with ease. Notable for being Rickenbacker's first reissue of the toasters that have a bit more output and punch, these pickups still retain a distinctive top end character that responds very well paired with your favorite tube amp for a sound that's glassy, smooth, and harmonically rich. Of course the small fifth knob on the 381's control layout lets the player blend the neck pickup into the mix for the perfect balance between top end cut and low end girth. This Ric weighs 8lbs 15oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with low action, accurate intonation, and fresh 10-46 strings.

The maple neck has a medium depth C-shaped profile carve with nicely rounded shoulders in every register, measuring .855" deep at the 1st fret and .899" at the 12th. The bound rosewood board features triangular crushed pearl inlays that extend to the fretboard edges, and the stock medium fretwire shows virtually no wear, likely leveled and crowned in the guitar’s lifetime. The guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rods. The nut measures 1.650" in width. The headstock sports Rickenbacker's iconic lucite truss rod cover/logo, as well as original Rickenbacker Deluxe (Kluson-style) tuning machines.

All of the electronics work as they should, the chrome-plated hardware is positively gleaming, and the original plastic parts are near-mint. There's no clear coat over the Turquoise finish, and the body finish presents as a semi-gloss with less sheen than the finish on the fretboard.

Cosmetically, this guitar exhibits a couple finish chips on either side of the neck joint, and these few small flakes of finish have been meticulously glued back in place with hide glue to retain a 100% original look with zero touchup. There's also a tiny bit of finish flaking around the strap button on the bass side body horn and two tiny nicks adjacent to the neck joint on the back of the body.

The original silver tolex hardshell case with plush blue interior is included. Additionally, this guitar is complete with all hangtags and case candy. While sadly no longer present with the instrument, we have documentation of the signed and dated letter from Dave's Guitar Shop addressed to the original owner and detailing the history of this unique Rickenbacker.