Can anyone identify this Rickenbacher lap steel carcass?

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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Jack Hanson
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Can anyone identify this Rickenbacher lap steel carcass?

Post by Jack Hanson »

Looks a little like a Model 100 finished with trunk paint from a '62 Rambler:
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Jon Light
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Post by Jon Light »

From Brad's page, it appears to be the later version of the Model 100.

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Bill Sinclair
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Post by Bill Sinclair »

This might be one case where gutting the guitar for the horseshoe pickup was an act of mercy. :eek:
Bill Creller
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Post by Bill Creller »

No problem ! That will rub right out ! :D
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Jack Hanson
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Post by Jack Hanson »

Bill Sinclair wrote:This might be one case where gutting the guitar for the horseshoe pickup was an act of mercy. :eek:
I'm inclined to agree, Bill. Nevertheless, I bought it. For $35 it might be worth screwing, gluing, and taping on a few parts. Then again, maybe not.
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Scott Duckworth
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Post by Scott Duckworth »

You sure the finish isn't Torginol?
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Nic Neufeld
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Post by Nic Neufeld »

To quote an old Simpsons episode, "Ah, my eyes...the goggles, they do nothing!!"

I'd be inclined to strip or sand it down to bare wood, although I can see wanting to preserve that "RICKENBACHER" logo, faint as it is...

Good luck, and as...odd...as she might be to look at right now, it's nice to see classic instruments saved/restored.
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Frank James Pracher
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Post by Frank James Pracher »

Didn't they have a finish like that? I don't recall seeing it in blue before but here is a pinkish/tan version

https://reverb.com/item/2119214-rickenb ... -lap-steel
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
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Bill Sinclair
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Post by Bill Sinclair »

Your choice of finish: garage floor gray or counter top tan :D
It doesn't look so bad when there's more of it covered up by the fretboard and control plate.
Charles Stange
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Post by Charles Stange »

Jackson Pollock Limited Edition
Charles 'Skip' Stange
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

Frank,
You might be onto something there.
If you look closely, the logo is applied over the finish not the other way around. :D
Erv
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Jack Hanson
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Post by Jack Hanson »

The fingerboard is from Sugartone in Great Britain. The Gotoh strip tuners are from Japan. The string-through ferrules are from Stew-Mac in Ohio. The brass nut/bridge combo platter is from Georgeboards in Oklahoma. The pickup is from Sentell in California. With the single-coil, it definitely sounds more Fendery than Ric.Image
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Jack Hanson
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Post by Jack Hanson »

Frank James Pracher wrote:Didn't they have a finish like that? I don't recall seeing it in blue before...
It's actually white speckles splattered over black.
Erv Niehaus wrote:If you look closely, the logo is applied over the finish not the other way around.
That's correct, Erv. It struck me as rather strange, too. It certainly appears to be original, but who knows?
Charles Stange wrote:Jackson Pollock Limited Edition
Can't disagree with that analogy, Skip.
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

Jack,
You did good on that guitar! :D
Erv
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Frank James Pracher
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Post by Frank James Pracher »

Good save!
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
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Jim Watts
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Nuts

Post by Jim Watts »

Really nice Jack. While we're on the subject, I'm looking for a nut for my Ric 100 so I can get it up and runnin'. Anybody out there know where I can find one?
Thanks folks
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Jim Sliff
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Post by Jim Sliff »

That looks like a product called "Multispec". Not applied correctly, though.

The most popular multi-color spray finish (which has to be applied with special equipment) is "Zolatone". I used to handle tech support and train applicators when it made a mini-comeback in the 90's.

It was huge in the 50's and early 60's - known as the "gas station bathroom paint".

:lol:
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1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
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