Rickenbacker Model B-6 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1937, made in Los Angeles, molded bakelite body and neck, original black hard shell case.
A very fine original 1930s Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) Model B-6 six-string Bakelite steel guitar. These instruments were the standard of their day and are 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-WWII guitars and strings loading through the body, the combination of features considered to produce the finest sound.
The body is molded black Bakelite with hollow cavities covered by silver metal plates. The screwed-on neck has integral molded frets and nut with inset silver position dots. This guitar has the second style of tuners used, individual Grover units with angular Deco-styled cast metal buttons.
The pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs and features a coil wrapped in black cloth-covered wire. The volume and tone controls pot (on either side of the pickup) are equipped with the original black plastic radio-style knobs; this is the first double-control variant. Like other earlier models, the output jack is still mounted on the bass side of the body.
The body is marked below the bridge with a 1932 patent number. The pickup mounting flange is marked with another patent number which dates it to mid-1937 or slightly later. This is a predictably great-sounding steel and an extremely nice example of the most sought-after guitar of its type.
Overall length is 29 7/8 in. (75.9 cm.), 9 1/4 in. (23.5 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.).
Very fine original condition with only slight wear; one tuner button has degraded somewhat, but is still functional. Complete with excellent original rectangular hard case. Excellent + Condition.
