Help me assess '46 Rick S-6 ?

BoFrazer · Post by **BoFrazer** » 15 Nov 2016 7:26 am

A student ended up with this, doesn't want it. I know this isn't the classified section, so I'll go there next, but first: what would this go for?

Nathan Laudenbach · Post by **Nathan Laudenbach** » 15 Nov 2016 8:23 am

If the tuners are original, straight and in good working order as well as the electronics, I'd say it would sell quick at 1,000 bucks. Assuming the pickup is 1 and 1/2" wide.

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 15 Nov 2016 9:01 am

About four years ago I bought a 1949 B6 for $700 and a 1951 BD6 for $800. I see quite a few Ric Bakelites for $1,000 and up asking prices. Not sure how many are getting that, but I sure hope so because it means the values of mine are going up. But I see one currently listed in the For Sale section for $775, which is a good price.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Nov 2016 9:08 am

I kind of agree with Nathan.
It has the 1 1/2" pickup and looks real clean.
$1,000 is a fair price.
John,
I'll bet your Ricks have the narrow pickup and the strings don't go through the body. And your logo is spelled with a k instead of an h.
Bo,
I'd double check the year on that guitar, I have a feeling that it is older than '46.
Erv

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 15 Nov 2016 10:30 am

Erv:

One of each spelling, and yes, they have the 1 1/4" pickup. Had both of them overhauled and the pickups repaired/rebuilt and remagged by the Sage of Berryville.

The only pre-war Ric I own is a 1934 A22 Frypan (volume pot only) that Rick also restored. Some days it seems its pickup could go straight to a speaker and skip the amp and not lose much! Man is it hot. Don't crack the amp's pre-gain or master hardly at all with any of my Rics.

Jim Newberry · Post by **Jim Newberry** » 15 Nov 2016 11:09 am

... and the unpainted frets make it likely older, too. Mine's 35-36 with volume control only (well, vol/tone sorta, you know, rheostat dealie) and non-highlighted frets. Bo's looks like the next model; still pre-war.

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 15 Nov 2016 11:27 am

Probably early '37. It looks like the fourth string tuner has been changed, as it should be the seven-sided type like the other ones. No big deal.
Absolutely great guitar. $1000 would be a good price.

John Goux · Post by **John Goux** » 16 Nov 2016 10:52 am

You guys make special note about the pickup being 1 1/2" instead of 1 1/4". Is that just a collector thing, or is that about sound? What is the difference?
Do these guitars sound like a Frying Pan?
John

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Nov 2016 11:06 am

I really don't know the tonal difference between the 1 1/2" and the 1 1/4" pickups, it just gives an indication as to the age.
Only a fry pan sounds like a fry pan.

Lee Holliday · Post by **Lee Holliday** » 17 Nov 2016 6:03 am

1 1/2 or 1 1/4 = V8 or V6!!!!

Lee

Mike Christensen · Post by **Mike Christensen** » 18 Nov 2016 1:12 pm

I believe the spelling was changed in 1939.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Nov 2016 2:07 pm

The spelling was changed in the '40s because of the famous pilot Eddie Rickenbacker. I think they wanted to cash in on the notoriety.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 18 Nov 2016 5:25 pm

That's circa '38 ... the arrow knobs tell the story ... very nice, well worth over $1K ...

The real "top fuel dragster" of Ricky horseshoes ... without a doubt ... ''46 thru '49 ... 1.25" cobalt steel with 38 AWG ... the strongest of all Ricky units ...