Rickenbacker Model B-6 Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1936)
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Item # 10767
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Rickenbacker Model B-6 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1936), made in Los Angeles, California, serial # B-310, polished black finish, molded Bakelite body and neck, original tan hard shell case.
This is a well-played but still vibey and great sounding example of a pre-WWII Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) Model B-6 six-string Bakelite steel guitar. These instruments were the standard of their day and are still generally considered the finest-sounding lap steel ever made. This B-6 features the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on pre-war guitars and strings loading through the body, the combination of features generally considered to produce the finest sound.
The body is molded black Bakelite with hollow cavities covered by chromed metal plates; this was mostly done to reduce the considerable weight of solid Bakelite! The screwed-on neck has integral molded frets and nut with inset white position dots. This guitar has the earlier style of tuners used in the 1935-6, strip units with "Top" stamped at the upper end of the baseplates and round metal buttons.
The Horseshoe magnet pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs. This is an early dual-knob example with the volume control is mounted on the treble side and tone on the bass side. These are topped with brown Bakelite knobs typical of the 1930s but not standard to Rickenbacker, so we would have to say they were probably changed many decades ago. On these earlier models the output jack is mounted on the bass side of the body, situated where the audience couldn't see it.
The body is marked below the bridge with a 1932 patent number; the pickup mounting flange is marked "Pat. Pend." which dates it to earlier than mid-1937. The specific combination of the fairly low serial number and features on this example indicate a build date of sometime in 1936. As with all the early Bakelite Rickenbackers, this is a predictably great-sounding steel, an extremely nice example of the most sought-after player's instrument of its type. This one appears fairly well used, but has a particularly powerful pickup that really still sings with that unmistakable Model B tone.
Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm.), 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 9/16 in. (573 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
This B-6 was likely someone's gigging instrument; it shows a decent amount of general wear overall, but no serious damage. The Bakelite is very hard-wearing, and shows just some small scratches and scuffs with no damage or surface chipping. The plating on the metal parts has heavier wear, with a large spot down to the bare metal on the treble side cover plate and a smaller areas worn away by the volume control and on the upper treble side plate. All the hardware appears original except as noted (probably) the knobs.
The electronics appear original, the pickup has exceptionally good output and really sings. The original 1930s volume pots is still intact and working; the tone pot is later (probably 1960s) but has been there a long time. This B-6 is an fine-sounding one; even not plugged in the high notes ring for days! It is housed in a well preserved oblong OHSC with tan covering and red plush lining. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is a well-played but still vibey and great sounding example of a pre-WWII Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) Model B-6 six-string Bakelite steel guitar. These instruments were the standard of their day and are still generally considered the finest-sounding lap steel ever made. This B-6 features the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on pre-war guitars and strings loading through the body, the combination of features generally considered to produce the finest sound.
The body is molded black Bakelite with hollow cavities covered by chromed metal plates; this was mostly done to reduce the considerable weight of solid Bakelite! The screwed-on neck has integral molded frets and nut with inset white position dots. This guitar has the earlier style of tuners used in the 1935-6, strip units with "Top" stamped at the upper end of the baseplates and round metal buttons.
The Horseshoe magnet pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs. This is an early dual-knob example with the volume control is mounted on the treble side and tone on the bass side. These are topped with brown Bakelite knobs typical of the 1930s but not standard to Rickenbacker, so we would have to say they were probably changed many decades ago. On these earlier models the output jack is mounted on the bass side of the body, situated where the audience couldn't see it.
The body is marked below the bridge with a 1932 patent number; the pickup mounting flange is marked "Pat. Pend." which dates it to earlier than mid-1937. The specific combination of the fairly low serial number and features on this example indicate a build date of sometime in 1936. As with all the early Bakelite Rickenbackers, this is a predictably great-sounding steel, an extremely nice example of the most sought-after player's instrument of its type. This one appears fairly well used, but has a particularly powerful pickup that really still sings with that unmistakable Model B tone.
Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm.), 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 9/16 in. (573 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
This B-6 was likely someone's gigging instrument; it shows a decent amount of general wear overall, but no serious damage. The Bakelite is very hard-wearing, and shows just some small scratches and scuffs with no damage or surface chipping. The plating on the metal parts has heavier wear, with a large spot down to the bare metal on the treble side cover plate and a smaller areas worn away by the volume control and on the upper treble side plate. All the hardware appears original except as noted (probably) the knobs.
The electronics appear original, the pickup has exceptionally good output and really sings. The original 1930s volume pots is still intact and working; the tone pot is later (probably 1960s) but has been there a long time. This B-6 is an fine-sounding one; even not plugged in the high notes ring for days! It is housed in a well preserved oblong OHSC with tan covering and red plush lining. Overall Excellent - Condition.