Study this photo carefully
This course builds upon the foundational knowledge of the various years of manufacture for Rickenbacker acoustic guitars that you acquired during your undergraduate studies.
Let’s begin our discussion by examining a unique topic: "Heel Versions." Who would like to volunteer to explain to the class what we’re looking at here? What heel shape is associated with years of manufacture? Why did the shape change from run to run? Bonus: For these two eras, what are the other 'easy to tell' characteristics that would give away which era of manufacture the guitar was associated with? (hint: we're looking for two main things, in addition to the heel)...
From @sonicblue:
afaik, only the original circa-1994/95 acoustics had the large, long heel seen on the right. once acoustic production ramped up towards the late 90’s, you get the smaller heel.
as to why — just speculating, but is there a correlation with the changeover to CNC starting in 1995?
i believe the other changes from the mid-90s run to the late-90’s run are the TRC color (white, then gold) and the shape of the bridge plate.
From admin:
Correct the original circa' 94/5 had the large heel! As to why: no, not CNC. Dumitru Manea was brought in an re-engineered the 700/730 for various reasons, including production efficiencies - the change he made to the heel being the most easily visible. And yes - the changes you mentioned - plus the later run had (almost always) gold hardware, and the case had the RIC badge, the earlier cases did not.