Output

Mono/Stereo

Front/Edge

Front angle

Number

Early Breadwinners

Mono

Edge

1

Later Breadwinner

Front

90

Deacon

Deacon 12 String

Magnum 1

Stereo

Front

90

2

90

Magnum  2

Mono

1

Magnum 3

Magnum  4

Preacher

Stereo

Edge

2

Preacher Deluxe

Mono

Front

90

1

Preacher 12  String

Viper

Mono

Front

90

1

Viper 3

Edge Stereo

UK II

Stereo

Edge

2

PF-22

Mono

Front

90

1

Ultra GP

Mono

Edge

1

Ultra GS

Angled

Ultra Bass

GTX

Mono

Edge

1

VXT

Stereo

Edge

1

Angled

Early Breadwinners with socket on the edge

Later Breadwinner

Breadwinner Limited

Magnum 1

Magnum 2 [3 & 4]

Preacher Deluxe

Preacher

Viper 1 [7 3]

UK II

PF - 22

Ultra GP

IN STEREO

The 1950 s were the birth of stereo sound reproduction.  It was an exciting and new development.  In 1956 RCA Victor released the first commercially available stereo tapes, followed quickly by the first stereo LP’ s.  Everyone had to have the new hi-tech, hi-fidelity sound equipment and the marketplace blossomed. It was natural that this development should cross-fertilize the guitar industry.  In 1956 Gretsch patented their stereo guitar system, developed by Ray Butts, and  with their own inimitable style called it the “Project-o-sonic” .  Within two year, 1958 it was fitted and marketed on the Country Club and White Falcon models.    Compared to later stereo systems it was unusual and more complex.  In this system the pick-ups themselves were split sending the lower three strings to one channel and the upper three to the second.  Revised controls switches allowed for a variety of pick-up/stereo combinations.  One of the very first stereo LP s to feature electric guitars,  Jimmie Webster  Unabridged 1958 -  used this system.  Gibson were quick to follow Gretsch s lead and the following year, 1959, they introduced their own stereo version, adding stereo to the ES-345 and ES-355 models.  This was a simpler system and became the standard method of producing stereo  with each pick-up being wired to a different channel.  Rickenbacker quickly followed with their version, originally named but basically the same separate pick-up system  the  Rick-o-Sound , which was added to some of their instruments in 1960.  When Ovation produced the Preacher in 1975 it joined an  established rank of guitars, although  only Rickenbacker were producing a stereo solid body [620] at this time.  By the time the UK II was introduced, in 1979, stereo instruments were going out of fashion.  Gretsch ceased in 1981, Gibson in 1982, followed by the UK II itself in 1982, with only Rickenbacker continuing to offer their Rick-o-Sound to the present day.

Gretsch  Country Club Stereo

1958-63

              White Falcon Stereo

1959 - 81

              Aniniversary [Not P-O-S]

1961-63

Rickenbacker   360  option

1960 -

                       360-12 Deluxe

1964-1990

                       460

1962 - 68

                       620

1977 - current

Gibson     ES-345

1959 -82

               ES-335TD CRS

1979

               ES-335 TD

1959 -82

Rickenbacker Rick-o-sound

Ovation    Preacher

1975 - 78

               Magnum 1

1974 - 78

               UK II

1979 - 82

               VXT

2007 -