Rickenbacker Electro Lap Steel Dating

The 1932 catalog says electro string instruments corp on it and the 1931 catalog refers to rickenbacker electro.

Rickenbacker electro lap steel dating.

Dating rickenbacker lap steels. They specialized in the construction of electric steel guitars until the 1950s. Most orders are eligible for free shipping. A cool late 30s instrument this rickenbacker electro silver hawaiian lap steel has a chrome plated stamped sheet metal body with an integral 35 fret finger.

Original hardshell case included. Also according to the smith book rickenbacker didn t start producing lap steels until mid 1932 and only 13 were sold the first year so it is unlikely that the brochure is from 1931. In 1931 he founded the company electro patent instruments together with the american inventor george beauchamp. I will tell you what is generally known and some distinguishing features that should help.

Soon the name of the company was changed to rickenbacker manufacturing company. Rickenbacker did not keep serial to date records until after the second world war. 23 frets 22 5 8 scale 2 1 4 nut width. Newer open back tuners have been installed.

Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of rickenbacker lap steels at guitar center. To the right and below you will find some images that will hopefully help you to locate the complete serial number on your instrument. The following information is courtesy carl dixon as posted on the steel guitar forum. This rickenbacher electro model b lap steel guitar features a bakelite body with strings through body design.

Email from brad bechtel on october 25 1999. Please be aware that some instruments manufactured in the late 50s cannot be interpreted by this decoder.