Premiervox Spanish Model Solid Body Electric Guitar, made by Rickenbacker, c. 1936, made in California/England, polished black finish, molded bakelite body and neck, black original hard shell case.
One of the rarest and most unusual electric guitars we've ever seen�and that's saying something!
Almost certainly one of the very first electric guitars ever seen in the UK, this is the "Export Model" of the Rickenbacker Mode "B" Bakelite Spanish Guitar, which is in itself a considerable rarity. This instrument was assembled in England from parts supplied by Rickenbacker from California around 1935-6. Much of the instrument is the same as its American cousin, but there are fascinating differences as well.
The pickup appears to be made of Rickenbacker components, but wound in England to different specs. The rectangular hard-shell case is English, with different fittings from the American version. The metal headstock tag reads "PREMIERVOX Electric Guitar, British Made" which is obviously not exactly the case.
This is laid out like a very early American Model B with a single volume control on the upper bout and jack directly behind it above the endpin.
Overall length is 32 9/16 in. (82.7 cm.), 9 7/16 in. (24 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.).
Well-played but not abused; this guitar shows signs of use in both the Spanish and Hawaiian guitar styles. The neck has enough warp to be noticeable (as do nearly all of these) but is still playable.
