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Topic: Rickenbacher Bakelites |
Robert Salomone
From:
Carefree, Arizona
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Posted 4 Jun 2004 5:03 pm |
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New poster here. I've enjoyed this forum over the years, especially info concerning Rickenbacher Bakelites and related instruments.
I have a small assortment of Ric Bakelites, I've acquired over the years. I found one earlier this year in a Salvation Army store.
I think it's a 1936 model with a single knob on opposite nickle plates. It's complete including an original case, but it's missing the 1 1/2" Horseshoe pickup. I'm going to order one of those new Horseshoes that are now available. Does anyone know of a source for replacement knobs, especially the "Flying Saucers"?
Here's a pic of the gathering:
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/showpic.php?aid=305&uuid=16&pid=4368
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Russ Young
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2004 5:09 pm
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One thousand one ... one thousand two ... one thousand three ... one thousand four ...
(I'm timing how long it takes Rick Aiello and Ray Montee to smell that Bakelite ...) |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 4 Jun 2004 5:18 pm
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Well Robert........you know what can happen to a guy that has more than five (5) Rick Bakelites, right?
All I can say, is be CAREFUL......... It could happen to you.
Nice looking family of guitars there. One of those great replacement pickups should do the trick for you. You should be a very happy guy. |
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Robert Salomone
From:
Carefree, Arizona
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Posted 4 Jun 2004 9:58 pm
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lol... There was a time when people couldn't give these things away. I picked up a Ric Bakelite guitar a few months ago. It looks like a Bakelite lapsteel, but upon closer inspection it has a different body and the neck is rounded, It's got a 1 1/2" Horseshoe; weighs around 15 lbs.
From what I've read those replacement Horseshoes are the way to go. |
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seldomfed
From:
Colorado
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 8:38 am
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You know that question people ask...,
"If you could live your life over, would you do anything different?" - I usually say YES!
When I was in the NAV on Oahu in the early '70s I used to go to Harry's Music. I remember Bakelites (and Fenders) hanging on the wall. Since I was a young rocker at the time, of course I laughed at how strange and cheap they looked. The price tags were ~$50. 
But I did go to the beach a lot, and learned Slack Key.
Chrisk
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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.book-em-danno.com
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 8:40 am
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Robert......might that be a "Spanish Guitar"
Rick? SOunds like it. |
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Robert Salomone
From:
Carefree, Arizona
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 9:06 am
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Yes, it's got a rounded neck on it. I've read thad some were outfitted with a Kaufman
Vibrola unit, although this one looks completely stock and untampered with.
It has a 1 1/2" Horseshoe pickup in it, and two flying saucer knobs on opposite sides.
Here's a link to a pic of it: http://www.lilypix.com/photos/showpic.php?aid=305&uuid=16&pid=20421 |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 9:11 am
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I worked at Elderly Instruments in the late 70's early 80's. We'd get Bakelite Ricks and vintage lap steels in all the time. We'd slap a $75 price tag on them and hoped they moved out the door fast. I never bought one.
Elderly was a very acoustic oriented "hippy" music store at that time. Electric instruments were generally frowned upon and thought of as a necessary evil.
Things have definitely changed there.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 07 June 2004 at 10:12 AM.] |
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Robert Salomone
From:
Carefree, Arizona
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Posted 7 Jun 2004 9:22 am
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I used to manage a resort in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. One year the HSGSA was having their convention on Oahu and many of the members came over after the event. Bob Brozman happened to be visiting at the time, and we put together an impromptu event at the resort's lounge. Bob got up and performed on his Style 2 National Squareneck: it was covered by one of the local video broadcast crews.
Within a short period of time we had a group of Kapunas making Leis and Hawaiian craft in the lobby, along with a display of Weissenborns, Nationals and Martins compliments of the local music store owner, who happened to be a serious instrument collector.
It was a nice event in that many old timers were bussed over from local nursing homes to attend and enjoy the music. There were about a half dozen performers, and some great instruments came out from under beds and closets.
I bought my first Bakelite right after the event, and have looked for more ever since.
I do know where there are a couple still lurking in closets in Hilo. |
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