Rickenbacker Model B Lap Steel Electric Guitar (1936)
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Item #3593
Rickenbacker Model B Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1936, made in Los Angeles, California, molded Bakelite body and neck, black chipboard case.
A lovely original pre-war Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) model B-6 six-string Bakelite steel guitar. These instruments are generally considered the finest sounding lap steel guitar ever made. This instrument features the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on these early guitars and strings loading through the body; the combination of features considered to produce the best 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 units with cast metal buttons.
The pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs and features a coil wrapped in black cloth-covered wire. The single volume pot (on the treble side) is equipped with the original black plastic octagonal knob; all electronics appear untouched. In common with these early models, the output jack is mounted on the bass side.
Body marked below bridge with 1932 patent number, pickup mounting flange is marked "PAT PEND", which dates it to mid-1937 or earlier. This is a predictably great-sounding steel and a nice 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.).
All original, except one tuner replaced with a later Grover Sta-Tite; could easily be restored to original. Average play wear with scuffing to the metal plates and some light chrome loss to the magnet assembly; no major wear or damage. Includes a recent SSC. Excellent Condition.
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A lovely original pre-war Rickenbacker (spelled Rickenbacher on the nameplate) model B-6 six-string Bakelite steel guitar. These instruments are generally considered the finest sounding lap steel guitar ever made. This instrument features the famous 1 1/2" horseshoe magnet pickup found only on these early guitars and strings loading through the body; the combination of features considered to produce the best 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 units with cast metal buttons.
The pickup is adjustable for height with knurled knobs and features a coil wrapped in black cloth-covered wire. The single volume pot (on the treble side) is equipped with the original black plastic octagonal knob; all electronics appear untouched. In common with these early models, the output jack is mounted on the bass side.
Body marked below bridge with 1932 patent number, pickup mounting flange is marked "PAT PEND", which dates it to mid-1937 or earlier. This is a predictably great-sounding steel and a nice 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.).
All original, except one tuner replaced with a later Grover Sta-Tite; could easily be restored to original. Average play wear with scuffing to the metal plates and some light chrome loss to the magnet assembly; no major wear or damage. Includes a recent SSC. Excellent Condition.
