Rickenbacker SD-6 Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1951, made in Los Angeles, California, brown enamel finish, steel body, lucite fingerboard.
One of the more interesting of Rickenbacker's line of post-WWII steel guitars. This SD-6 is a relatively rare instrument, produced in the late 40's and early 50's as a professional-level upgrade of the earlier Style 59 and Model NS student steel guitars. It carries a very distinctive 1950's two-tone color scheme; the body is covered in a goldish-tan enamel and the fittings are chocolate brown.
The tuners are Kluson Deluxe with pearlescent buttons and Safe-T-Slot string posts, hidden under a neat folding metal cover carrying a "Rickenbacker Electro" logo plate. The horseshoe magnet pickup and integral stamped metal pickup housing/tailpiece are enameled brown, with a Bakelite bridge. Knobs are brown swirled plastic radio-style, and the lucite fingerboard is screwed on and back-painted with position marks. "Truly a handsome instrument" is Rickenbacker's original description.
This guitar originally retailed for $67.50 in this 6-string version; then and now a great-looking and fine-sounding steel.
Overall length is 30 in. (76.2 cm.), 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) deep. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.).
Completely original and very nice condition overall; some small areas of paint loss to the enamel on the sides and back, and some corrosion on tuners. Excellent + Condition.
