2012 Rickenbacker 660 Mapleglo (Natural), Very Good, Original Hard, $1,549.99

Summary: The Model 660 features a charactered Maple cutaway body based on an innovative design from the 1950's. A Rosewood fingerboard is punctuated beautifully with triangular pearloid inlay markers, while the maple double bound neck and body are solid through and through. Rickenbacker's trademark "checkered" black and white binding set off the body, while white binding graces the neck. The 660 is electronically engineered to the exacting standards of the vintage reissue series, complete with Rickenbacker's own vintage reissue-type pickups.

Body: Solid charactered maple with checkered binding. Double cutaway with body contour. Natural finish.

Neck: Solid maple through-body neck. 24 3/4'' scale. 1 3/4'' nut width. Lacquered rosewood fretboard with triangle inlays. Large gold truss rod cover with “Rickenbacker” logo.

Pickups/Hardware: Two vintage reissue “toaster” pickups. Six saddle bridge with cover and trapeze tailpiece. Gotoh vintage style tuners marked “Ric Deluxe.” Three-way pickup selector. Two volume and two tone controls, plus one pickup volume equalization control. Two-tiered gold pickguard/control plate.

Cosmetics: This guitar is in very good condition. There is an area on the back of the neck where the finish looks to be lighter as if the tint wore away despite there still being lacquer present. The neck feels smooth and there is no differance in texture to the lighter area. The maple is attractively figured, and the gold guard against the natural finish makes for a classy, understated look.

Playability: The action is low and the guitar plays well up the neck, with no buzz or dead spots. The neck has a flattened profile that facilitates easy chording. The vintage “toaster” pickups have the iconic Rickenbacker jangle.

Weight: 7 lbs., 10 oz.

Case: Original hard shell.