Rickenbacker B-6 Lap Steel Electric Guitar , c. 1941
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Item # 7329
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Rickenbacker B-6 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1941, made in Los Angeles, California, serial # C 2447, polished black finish, molded Bakelite body and neck, original black hard shell case.
This is a very nice original Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) just pre-WWII 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. The B-6 features the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on pre-war guitars and strings loading thru the body- the combination of features considered to produce the finest sound. The body is molded black Bakelite with hollow cavities covered by off-white plates. On this late example the forward plates are still metal, but the 3 rear plates are molded plastic, indicating a 1941-42 build date. The screwed-on Bakelite neck has integral molded frets and nut with inset white position dots. This guitar has the latest style of tuners used, individual Grover units with cloverleaf bases and white plastic buttons.
The horseshoe pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs on the sides. The volume and tone controls are both on the treble side, equipped with the original knurled black plastic knobs used up into the 1950's. Unlike earlier models the output jack is now mounted on the treble side of the body. The body marked below the bridge with a 1932 patent number, pickup mounting flange is marked with another patent number which dates it to 1937. This is a predictably great sounding steel, the final version of the pre-war style and an extremely nice example of the most sought-after player's instrument of its type.
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 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.). This steel shows some light average wear but still sounds and plays excellent. The Bakelite body and neck show light scuffing but no chips or breaks. The metal top plates show some light flaking to the enamel, mostly on the treble side, and the pickup magnets show corrosion to the plating. The guitar remains all original except for replaced tuner buttons, the tone capacitor (the long-dead original wax can is included) and some small repairs to the tips of the plastic control cavity plate, and a few slightly larger screws. A great sounding example, complete with a well-worn OHSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is a very nice original Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) just pre-WWII 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. The B-6 features the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on pre-war guitars and strings loading thru the body- the combination of features considered to produce the finest sound. The body is molded black Bakelite with hollow cavities covered by off-white plates. On this late example the forward plates are still metal, but the 3 rear plates are molded plastic, indicating a 1941-42 build date. The screwed-on Bakelite neck has integral molded frets and nut with inset white position dots. This guitar has the latest style of tuners used, individual Grover units with cloverleaf bases and white plastic buttons.
The horseshoe pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs on the sides. The volume and tone controls are both on the treble side, equipped with the original knurled black plastic knobs used up into the 1950's. Unlike earlier models the output jack is now mounted on the treble side of the body. The body marked below the bridge with a 1932 patent number, pickup mounting flange is marked with another patent number which dates it to 1937. This is a predictably great sounding steel, the final version of the pre-war style and an extremely nice example of the most sought-after player's instrument of its type.
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 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.). This steel shows some light average wear but still sounds and plays excellent. The Bakelite body and neck show light scuffing but no chips or breaks. The metal top plates show some light flaking to the enamel, mostly on the treble side, and the pickup magnets show corrosion to the plating. The guitar remains all original except for replaced tuner buttons, the tone capacitor (the long-dead original wax can is included) and some small repairs to the tips of the plastic control cavity plate, and a few slightly larger screws. A great sounding example, complete with a well-worn OHSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.