Rickenbacker Model B-6 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1940, made in Los Angeles, California, polished black finish, molded Bakelite body and neck, original black hard shell case.
A nice original pre-WWII 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 enameled metal plates, the screwed-on neck has integral molded frets and nut with inset white position dots. This guitar has the later style of tuners used, individual Grover units with cloverleaf bases and plastic buttons.
The pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs. The volume and tone controls are both on the treble side and equipped with the original mixed white-and-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 9/16 in. (573 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.). Quite clean overall-some light wear and scuffing, but no major wear or repair. Some yellowing and discoloration to the enamel on the plates, but it is mostly intact. One tuner post (the sixth string) is noticeably bent and the tuner buttons have shrunk somewhat, but all the original tuners are still functional. The voume pot was replaced long ago (possibly when new) by one with a "click-off" feature, odd for a guitar but perfectly functional. The instrument is otherwise all original. This one still has period-possibly original ground-wound strings on it but retains the typical great sound. Includes the original HSC in decent condition.
