Rickenbacker Model NS Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1948, made in Santa Ana, CA, grey enamel finish, stamped metal body, original black soft shell case.
The Model NS was the bread and butter instrument in Rickenbacker's line of post-WWII steel guitars. This stamped metal steel was produced in the late 40's and early 50's primarily as a student guitar, for use in the many teaching studios active in that era. With the same horse-shoe magnet pickup as the more upscale steels in the line, the Model NS sacrifices nothing in sound but is finished in a fairly plain grey sunburst enamel with black fittings.
The Rickenbacker logo is a decal, although this one still carries the drilled holes for the prewar-style metal logo plate never installed! Today the NS is a great affordable gigging steel, with a very hot sound and a lot of bang for the buck.
Overall length is 29 1/2 in. (74.9 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 1/4 in. (565 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.).
Nice overall; some finish wear but nothing serious. Original PU and wiring but replaced knobs; one side of tuners is correct period but mis-matched. A good gigging example of an early post-war Rickenbacker steel. Generally Excellent Condition.
