Rickenbacker Model B-7 Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1937)
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Item #6476
Rickenbacker Model B-7 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1937), made in Los Angeles, polished black finish, molded Bakelite body and neck, original black hard shell case.
This is a relatively rare variation of the pre-war Rickenbacker Bakelite steel guitar, the most successful instrument in its class prior to WWII. The B-7 seven-string version was built in much smaller numbers than the standard B-6 - in 1937-8 the extra string option cost you an additional $10! This is a fairly early example with typical features for 1936-7. With the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on prewar guitars and strings loading through the body this B-7 has a combination of features considered to produce the ultimate Rickenbacker tone�these instruments are generally considered the finest sounding lap steel guitar ever made.
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 white position dots. This guitar was originally fitted with the second style of tuners used with seven-sided cast metal buttons, individual units on the bass side and a mandolin-type bank of four on the treble. The pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs, and the pickup mounting flange is marked "PAT PEND", which dates it to mid-1937 or earlier. The volume pot is on the treble side and the tone on the bass-a short lived arrangement. In common with the earlier models the output jack is still mounted on the bass side. This is a great sounding steel and a good player's example of the most sought-after guitar of its type.
Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 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.). This is a very well-played and worn in steel, but still sounds great. There is no major damage to the Bakelite-just scuffing and a few small chips. The metal parts show a decent amount of plating is worn off the body cover plates on the treble side. The pickup appears to have been rewound long ago, but still sounds fantastic with the combination of shimer and meaty mids these are celebrated for. Most of the wiring rig and the pots are original but the old Bakelite radio knobs and tone cap are not. The bass side tuners are 1950's Waverly units, the treble side strip is the original Mandolin-style piece with shaped metal buttons. This old veteran steel still sings, and is ready for the next 80 or so years! Very Good + Condition.
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This is a relatively rare variation of the pre-war Rickenbacker Bakelite steel guitar, the most successful instrument in its class prior to WWII. The B-7 seven-string version was built in much smaller numbers than the standard B-6 - in 1937-8 the extra string option cost you an additional $10! This is a fairly early example with typical features for 1936-7. With the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on prewar guitars and strings loading through the body this B-7 has a combination of features considered to produce the ultimate Rickenbacker tone�these instruments are generally considered the finest sounding lap steel guitar ever made.
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 white position dots. This guitar was originally fitted with the second style of tuners used with seven-sided cast metal buttons, individual units on the bass side and a mandolin-type bank of four on the treble. The pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs, and the pickup mounting flange is marked "PAT PEND", which dates it to mid-1937 or earlier. The volume pot is on the treble side and the tone on the bass-a short lived arrangement. In common with the earlier models the output jack is still mounted on the bass side. This is a great sounding steel and a good player's example of the most sought-after guitar of its type.
Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 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.). This is a very well-played and worn in steel, but still sounds great. There is no major damage to the Bakelite-just scuffing and a few small chips. The metal parts show a decent amount of plating is worn off the body cover plates on the treble side. The pickup appears to have been rewound long ago, but still sounds fantastic with the combination of shimer and meaty mids these are celebrated for. Most of the wiring rig and the pots are original but the old Bakelite radio knobs and tone cap are not. The bass side tuners are 1950's Waverly units, the treble side strip is the original Mandolin-style piece with shaped metal buttons. This old veteran steel still sings, and is ready for the next 80 or so years! Very Good + Condition.