The Steel Guitar Forum

There is something about the sound that comes out of this steel that I just love ! You can feel the vibes thru the console, even without being plugged in. Very mellow and sweet to my ears...I have the top neck tuned to A6th and the bottom to C6th...the A6th is my favorite, but they both sound great. I was going to go with E13th on the bottom, but I just dont play that tuning that often. I play it thru a Roland Cube 30 and it seems to be a good match. I have other non pedal steels, but for now this is my "go to" steel...maybe a Clinesmith some day

Nice! I know you were jonesin' for one of these. Looks like you found a nice one. Do you think that's original or been refinished? You mostly see them with the sort of reddish brown natural finish/stain.

That's really stylish - do you know which years these were produced?

Larry,
That is one sharp looking guitar!

The same logo plates over the tuners were used on bakelites around 1950 & a bit later I believe. So I suspect that it's in that era...
Beautiful instrument, and the best part is that you like it !!

Beautiful steel, Larry.

C. E.

Larry, ever thought about parting it out? KIDDING!

WOW, that is impressive. Love the look of that one! You don't even have to wind the strings all purdy......just cover em up! BEAUTIFUL

Great looking steel guitar! I love the color. Rickenbacker designed this model to compete with the popular Fender Stringmaster in the 1950s. I'd say they hit it out of the park. It's more stylish and comfortable looking than the Stringmaster IMO.

Nice!

Thanks guys for all the nice comments about the steel. The gentleman I bought it from said it had been painted black when he got it...I am considering having it redone in a red that I have seen other Rickenbackers in this area.
I do really appreciate all the positive comments about this steel...I bought it from a gentleman here on the forum. It really does have a rich mellow tone to it, and thats the best part. I wouldnt even consider refinishing it except that it had already been painted before I got it.
Thanks again...this forum is best !!

I think it would look great painted red.

I like the black finish. I'd leave it that way unless it's a poor paint job.

It would look good any colour. A real beauty!

Bill Groner wrote:WOW, that is impressive. Love the look of that one! You don't even have to wind the strings all purdy......just cover em up! BEAUTIFUL

That made me laugh ! I hadnt thought about that, but with the way I wind strings putting them on, thats another plus for this one !! I really like the looks of those tuner covers...sets off the steel.

Nice Steel.

Nice guitar, Larry.

I know this will sound sacrilegious to some, but in my opinion, Leo Fender never built a pickup that was in the same ballpark as any of the Ric horseshoe magnet units.

Nor has anyone else. Those folks at Electro String really had a winner the first time out of the box.

So simple in design........PERFECTION!

Elegant industrial design. Beautiful guitar. Congratulations, Larry.

Original blonde (these came with a brown finish too) vs. refinished black. Notice that the fretboards have been changed or painted over. So a full restoration would mean new fretboards too. I kinda like the guitar as it is.

Very pretty - I would leave the color as it is, looks great, original or not...

Black guitars sound better.

Black guitars sound better.

Erv, that started as a joke here a few years ago, but some of our newer members believe it's true!

Black guitars sound better if you play them while wearing black shoes also.

Interestingly, I did order new fretboards for the Ricky...I say "new" but they are off another Rickenbacker from that time frame...I was thinking of putting double tape on the "new" ones and leave these originals on...would that work out okay you think ? I am open to suggestions about that. You guys about have me convinced to leave the black as it is, original or not !