The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a pre-war 8 string Rickenbacher Bakalite that I got when I was 9 years old from Duane Marrs. The case is made of fiber, looks like covered cardboard to me. It has fallen apart. I would like to get a hard case made that has the shape of the original. Any ideas?

Also, how do you put a date on these. There is no serial number that I've found. The reason I say it is pre-war is because of the spelling of the name, Rickenbacher instead of Rickenbacker. The keys are on a strip instead of individuals. It is a great sounding guitar.

Thanks
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Randy
http://hometown.aol.com/pulltightb/home.html
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Randy Beavers on 21 May 2004 at 05:02 AM.]</p></FONT>

The 8-string Bakelite was introduced in 1940. Rickenbacher stopped production in mid-1942 and resumed again in early 1946.

So if you have the "h" label, a 1-1/2" pickup w/ knurled adjustment knobs, and a string-through body, you almost certainly have a '40 - '42 guitar. (Some of the 1946 "transitional" guitars have a combination of pre- and some post-war features. The latter include the smaller pickup with Phillips-head adjustment screws, a chrome tailpiece and the T-shaped metal logo.)

Now let's see how Dr. Aiello grades my response ...

A-

You woulda got an A+ ... but I saw THIS .... and noticed an omission ...

As Gomer would say ...

<SMALL>Shame, shame, shame...</SMALL>

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<font size=1>www.horseshoemagnets.com </font>

At the time I took that picture, there was a gaping hole in the front of my B-6 -- right where the pickup should be! (I had sent my magnets to some mad scientist in Virginia to have them regaussed and polished.)

Once the Knutsen returns from its stay in rehab, I guess I'll have to get the entire "family" back together for another picture. Unlike some of you guys, I can actually get all my guitars in a single frame!

Guess I should take a que from the fancier car dealers and issue a loaner ...

Randy, sorry for the hijack ...

I saw these custom cases awhile back ...
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/003950.html

... they sure look nice !!!

Hi Randy,
My name is Rob Anderson and I make custom hardshell cases with a vintage flair. I've done a couple of bakelite Rics. I have not made any attempt to recreate any specific design, but I am willing to do some research and spend some time hunting for fabrics if you would prefer an original looking case. They seem to be popular instruments and I would'nt mind being able to offer a close replica. Here is a link to pictures of some of my work.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dunamisdesigns317/my_photos

Thanks and feel free to call,
Rob Anderson-Dunamis Designs 920-989-1396

Randy,
I had a case made by these guys for my 8st Rick panda:

http://www.moderncase.com/

It is from the ambassador series. Fantastic case in every way. And the price was much less than it should have been.

I'll send you pics if you want.

Bob

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I was at the Chattnooga show. Didn't return till Sun night, play catch up yestertay, blah blah...

Anyway, my pickup is 1 1/4" wide, top of the horse shoe. Tone and volume knobs are plastic, not knurled metal. T shaped logo. Metal tailpiece that the strings go through. This piece extends all the way around the pickup.
Thanks,

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Randy
http://hometown.aol.com/pulltightb/home.html