RYDER

As many guitar manufacturers have historically built guitars under different brand names, so too did Rickenbacker in the mid 1960s.  That is the story with this particular ES-17.  Made as a student model under the “Ryder” banner for the Ryder Music School, the ES-17 is functionally a short scale 600 series model with a single “toaster” pickup and a full face pickguard. 

Examples of these guitars are increasingly scarce as time goes by as Rickenbacker (famously protective of their intellectual property) does not immediately leap to mind as a builder that would lend their aesthetic for a student model.  While every Ryder guitar was a solid body with set neck and Fireglo finish, this particular example is notable for its highly figured Maple body. 

Tonally, it is everything you would expect from a 6 string Rickenbacker style guitar; clear and bright, with mid and treble frequencies forward, offering just enough bass to balance the entire package in to a pleasing tone, equally at home as a lead or rhythm instrument.  This would be an ideal choice for players that want a stripped down, no nonsense rocker analogous to the Les Paul Jr., with all the style and substance that has made Rickenbacker a household name since the British Invasion. 

In light of its age, this guitar is remarkably clean, given its vintage, but is no case queen.  There are definite signs of playwear overall, with various dents and dings throughout.  Most notably, there is a small gouge in the lower bout on the bass side, roughly ½’” long. As such we could consider this guitar to be in EXCELLENT condition.

• Figured Maple Double-Cutaway Body Style
• Fireglo Gloss Nitrocellulose Finish
• Maple Neck
• Rosewood Fingerboard
• Pearloid Dot Inlays
• Set Neck Construction
• “C” Shape Neck Carve
• Single Rickenbacker Style “Toaster” Pickup
• 3-Way Tone Switch
• Aluminum Bridge
• Kluson-Style Closed Back Tuners
• White Pickguard
• Graphite Nut
• 1 5/8” Nut Width
• 24 3/4” Scale Length