The Steel Guitar Forum

So I have a friend that has the pictured set up. Seems to be an early B6 without the tone knob. Are they more or less valuable than the ones with the tone knobs? Are they just for collectors or are they good players without the tone knob. I know I can add an EQ before the amp to get the effect of a tone knob but wonder if that neuters the Ric tone. Any other thoughts on this appreciated.

This is one of the earliest B6s. I had an early Frying Pan with no tone knob and it was great just as it was. Turning down the volume a bit also has the effect of trimming some of the brightness.

What a great guitar and amp set--one of the best!

Of my 12 Ric's......... two of my seven strings have just one volume knob, several of the six string models have just one knob while the three Panda's all of two knobs.

I find the prewar models all to have exceptionally fine TONE whether or not they have just the single volume knob or not.

I think the strings thro' the body and the wider pickup are the real determining factors.

Thanks for the responses - any thought on the value$$$

Before I'd agree to purchase, I'd double check to make sure there are no visible cracks near the NUT next to the headstock, OR, at the 10th fret. The Bakelite has a tendency to break at those points if/when dropped.

If all is okay and the unit is cosmetically CLEAN and free of any scratches or the like...... and each and every string is amplified properly........

I wouldn't be afraid to invest $850.00 +/- for the g'tar with case. The amp should be negotiated by you. I wouldn't be interested in going more than $150.00 for the amp, provided it worked and didn't rattle or static or FUZZ.

That guitar & amp combo on Ebay would bring a fairly good price, just for single control dating it. 1935 was the first year for the bakelite from what I've found out. The serial number usually starts with a C on those early guitars...

'twas love at first sight

As it has been with all of us Ricky owners.......

Once you've had the experience......
you'll NEVER go back to anything less.

I'd give my left arm for a pre-war B6... Both arms for a B7... But then... I think it'd be a little tough to play.

Jim Newberry wrote:I'd give my left arm for a pre-war B6... Both arms for a B7... But then... I think it'd be a little tough to play.

Not a problem for Frank Posey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFSFhVSlm9g

Good sounding demo of a postwar B-6 ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M7ZBdY ... r_embedded#!

The serial number starts with a C and is in the mid 600s does that mean it is first year - 600th an something one made?

"The serial number starts with a C and is in the mid 600s does that mean it is first year - 600th an something one made?"Barring the discovery of some new factory records or information it is a safe asumtion that this is a 1935 model. There were a number produced in the beginning of the run with "B" serial numbers however so it is not likely the 600th one produced.
It is THE ONE so that's what counts.