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Topic: My "B" model Rickenbacher |
Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 6:35 am |
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I was wondering if anyone might know the year my "Ricky" lap steel was built. The guitar and hardshell case are in pristine condition except for a small break (hole) in one of the cover plates and missing handle on case. Here are the details:
*Black bakelite body (bolt-on neck) with white celuloid
cover plates (five each).
*Through-the-body string attachment.
*Frets outlined in white with white-dot fret markers.
*white celuloid "flying-saucer" style volume and tone
knobs on treble side of guitar.
*1/4" jack facing audience.
* 1-1/2" wide pickup plates-no frame with patent
number on each pickup adjustment tab.
* Small horizontal "Rickenbacher Electro (RF) Los Angeles"
logo on key head (no cover). Note the "H" in the spelling.
* The serial number stamped into the top edge of the key
head is C2542
I paid $150 for it in 1978 so I know it has to be at least a 1978.  Actually, I suspect it's a "war-years" vintage. I'd like to know which year.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
[This message was edited by Glenn Suchan on 23 November 2005 at 06:37 AM.] |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 8:28 am
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Glenn,
I believe from the description, that your guitar is "pre-war" vintage.
Erv |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 8:34 am
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Thats what some folks call a "Wartime" ...
Circa 1940-41 ...
Pre-War Rickys ... scroll down
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Aiello's Cast Steel Guitars
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 8:48 am
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Thanks Erv and Rick!
Rick, my "ricky" looks just like the one in your link called '40 Bakelite except both knobs are white on mine. Do you know the serial number on the '40 Bakelite?
Guys, thanks again for your info! 
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 8:53 am
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C2905
I've seen ones with one white and one RED flyin' saucer too ...
I think it was a "patriotic" gesture ...
The magnets are the strongest of the prewars ... that I've come across anyway.
------------------
Aiello's Cast Steel Guitars
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 9:09 am
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Rick, I agree about the magnets. The robust tone and volume of my ricky never ceases to amaze me. I always tell folks it can tear down a cinder block wall if I'm not careful how hard I pick. 
Judging by your serial number I would guess mine would be a '40 vintage. Thanks for the info and...
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 10:16 am
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| I wouldn't insult you with an offer less than double what you paid. So what do you say, Glenn? |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 11:45 am
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That's a good one, Jon!
I like to say I'm playing my son's college tuition. HA!
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 23 Nov 2005 1:24 pm
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Celuloid plate indicates "war time"... because of material shortages... mainly chrome and brass.
It may also be later as Rickenbacher had a nasty way of using older parts quite randomly for later models but your logo put's it into the war time years too, soooo, war time it is.
The white outlined frets is second generation ("new") bakelite formula (actually "I" have that theory that there was one more generation (formula change) in between... but taz another story).
... J-D.
[This message was edited by J D Sauser on 23 November 2005 at 01:26 PM.] [This message was edited by J D Sauser on 23 November 2005 at 01:30 PM.] |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2005 9:09 pm
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Glenn, sounds like my "Wartime" Ricky.
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 25 Nov 2005 10:18 pm
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Great looking guitar, Andy. It does look just like mine. The lining on my case is green instead of blue. Mine had an original Black Rajah tone bar in the case, too. I consider myself lucky to own such an awesome sounding instrument.
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn[This message was edited by Glenn Suchan on 25 November 2005 at 10:18 PM.] |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2005 12:45 am
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| yeah me too Glenn. Mine is a B7 and at the time I hadn't seen too many 7 string models for sale so I paid more than I wanted to but I just couldn't pass it up and it's probably my easiest playin, smoothest soundin steel I own. [This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 26 November 2005 at 12:46 AM.] |
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