Home › Rickenbacker Combo 400, Black (1956)
Black and gold electric guitar on a dark background
Black and gold electric guitar on a dark background
Close-up of a guitar's neck and pickguard with a dark background
Black and gold electric guitar on a dark background
Glossy black electric guitar with gold pickguard on a dark background
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Close up of toggle switch on an electric guitar
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Black and gold electric guitar on a dark background, close up
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Back view of a guitar on a dark background
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Close-up of a Rickenbacker guitar headstock on a dark background
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Close-up of a Rickenbacker guitar headstock with visible branding.
Guitar with black body and gold pickguard on a stand against a dark background
Guitar on a stand against a dark background
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Rickenbacker Combo 400, Black (1956)
Rickenbacker

Rickenbacker Combo 400, Black (1956)

Other · S (1 Single Coil) Pickups · Vintage

Currently unavailable
DOCUMENTED HONESTLYEvery repair, every change
VETTED ON THE BENCHBefore it's listed
SINCE 1968Still independent

Rickenbacker's iconic electric guitar designs originated in early models like this Combo 400

1956 Rickenbacker Combo 400 in original Black finish just into the shop.

This is an absolutely stunning example of one of Rickenbacker's earliest solidbody electric models, and a first-year example at that! With its neck-through construction, distinct tulip body shape, and single Dearmond pickup with large anodized aluminum pickguard, it truly stands out among its contemporaries. This guitar is one of the cleanest we've encountered, and with the exception of some divots on the back of the neck from case friction on the accessory pouch latch, it's about as good as they come.

It's entirely original throughout, from the amazing sounding Dearmond pickup to the wiring harness, bridge, tuners, and plastics. While quite basic in form and function, its tone is absolutely other-worldly. The Dearmond pickup is massive sounding, with an extended low end and clear, chimey top end that has an almost grand piano like sustain and frequency range.

The guitar even includes its original hardshell case and leather hook strap! No additional strap buttons have been added, which is quite rare to see. A true closet find of a guitar, and one of the more unique electrics we've had in the shop in some time.
Condition: Vintage. Fully inspected and set up by TME staff before it ships or leaves the showroom.
Style Solidbody
Body Maple
Finish Nitrocellulose
Color Black
Pickups Original Dearmond | 9.17k
Electronics Original Clarostat | 140641 pot code (41st week of 1956)
Controls Volume / Tone / Tone Bypass switch
Bridge Original
Tuners Original Grover
Pickguard Original Anodized Gold
Knobs Original
Truss Rod Cover Original
Neck Maple
Binding N/A
Carve D | .91-.94"
Fingerboard Padauk
Inlays Dots
Frets Original
Nut Original
Scale Length 24 3/4"
Serial # 4C6 143
Weight 6lb 1oz
Case Original Hardshell

Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.

Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.

Preserving The Past. Played Into The Future.
Whether you're chasing a tone, honoring the history, or building a collection, we seek out the finest vintage instruments and, when needed, perform tasteful restoration to ensure they'll play beautifully for decades to come.
Rickenbacker Combo 400, Black (1956)
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Glenn Nichols, Repairs & Restorations

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When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.

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