**Dating My Pre-War Rick B6: Little Help?**

[Mark Helm]

Hey guys:

I recently picked up a Rick B6, Panda-style, metal plates, 1.5" shoe (with patent #), metal Rickenbacher Electro plate, string-thru body. My guess is 1940-ish.

Any thoughts?

[John Dahms]

Looks like '39-41 range. Serial #? Original case?
We don't have definitive serial dating info from Rickenbacher but over the years there were trends and enough have surfaced to be able to make educated guesses on many models.
The serial is stamped on the end of the peghead (C29xx range is probably around that period.

[Mark Helm]

Hope you can read it! C3355.

[John Dahms]

The latest model B (Bakelite panda) that I have any record of is serial C3714 that I own. I bought it as a set from the original owner with the Model 200(?) amp. The amp had original RCA tubes that had date codes from spring 1942 on them. Could not have been many more made after that because of the war.

[Mark Helm]

The latest model B (Bakelite panda) that I have any record of is serial C3714 that I own. I bought it as a set from the original owner with the Model 200(?) amp. The amp had original RCA tubes that had date codes from spring 1942 on them. Could not have been many more made after that because of the war.

It's pretty difficult to date by the serial #s on these from what I understand. All I know is it's def. early '42 or before.