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Post new topic When was this colourful Rickenbacker B6 issued
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Author Topic:  When was this colourful Rickenbacker B6 issued
George Rout


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2016 4:06 pm    
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This guitar is for sale ($1500 Canadian) north of Toronto. I'm not particularly interested in it other than the colourful top. Is there something special about this model? Are the two different coloured knobs original???




George
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Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 7:23 am    
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Quote:
Is there something special about this model?


No.

Quote:
Are the two different coloured knobs original???


They don't appear to be original, but they could be. I'd have to see a closer photo to determine if the white knob's red spot is a sticker or something else. You see a lot of variation on Rickenbacker knobs, but they're mostly black. I've seen white, red, and brown as well.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 8:27 am    
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I seriously doubt if that is factory issue.
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chris ivey


From:
california (deceased)
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 8:39 am    
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looks like someone painted the original white plates.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 9:14 am    
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I don't think it's paint, it looks like different colored abalone.
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George Rout


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 9:32 am    
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Thanks Chris, Brad, and Erv for your comments.
Brad, when you say there is nothing special about the guitar, I'm assuming that you mean the coloured plates were "standard" on some models at one point in time?????

Geo
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http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"
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chris ivey


From:
california (deceased)
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 10:29 am    
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Erv Niehaus wrote:
I don't think it's paint, it looks like different colored abalone.

how would you put abalone on metal plates?
just curious.
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Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 10:37 am    
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Definitely looks painted, but he forgot to paint the original square white one in the middle (under the strings)
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 11:28 am    
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Chris,
I'm sure the metal plates were removed beforehand and flat plates with abalone was substituted. The plates in the picture don't appear to have any curve to them.
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George Rout


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2016 7:18 pm    
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I went back to the seller with this question:

"Hello. We're having a discusssion about your Ricky for sale. Are the "coloured" plates on the top metal, plastic or some other material. Are the two knobs original???? Thank you".

And here was his reply:

"Bakelite which is the earlier form of plastic. That's what Rickenbacker used back then. Original knobs. This lap steel was probably custom made for somebody as any others from that era have plain white sections that match those patterns".

So what does that tell us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"
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Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2016 7:24 am    
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Quote:
So what does that tell us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It tells us the seller doesn't know what he's talking about. That and the very high price for a modified B6 tells me to walk away.
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George Rout


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2016 9:15 am    
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You got it Brad, right on.!!!!
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"
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George Rout


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2016 12:56 pm    
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The seller read this thread and responded as follows:

"All well and fine speculation but it is all original bakelite parts, curved edges, the red on the knob matches the red inlay on the neck etc etc.... No painting or metal involved...I am the third owner. The original owner was a good friend of the second owner and passed it along to me. The first owner bought it brand new... I think the price for something that is in such excellent condition is fair...even the case is minty!!"

So, we'll leave it at that.

Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"
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Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 5 Feb 2016 1:14 pm    
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It's still a Bakelite, a 6, no matter what was done to it.
One of my favorite instruments. I wouldn't be without one ! (B7) Don't know or ever heard of Rickenbacker doing custom type work or special orders, but it's remotely possible I suppose...
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George Rout


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 29 Feb 2016 5:11 pm    
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Well, the chap has relisted his colourful Rick a few hours ago, and he put in a note for "old fogies from the steel forum to hold our tongue". But look now, he's comparing it to a prewar model with only one control. Here's the ad:

http://toronto.craigslist.ca/yrk/msg/5470178973.html

Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com

"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me"
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chris ivey


From:
california (deceased)
Post  Posted 29 Feb 2016 6:43 pm    
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i betcha some hawaiian player customized it long ago.
would be interesting to see the plates close up.
funny that the seller is so defensive.
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Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 1 Mar 2016 10:19 pm    
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He may be defensive, but us old fogies still have opinions on what it is ! Very Happy

I always like the word "rare' that folks use when selling a lap steel ! I saw a Gibson BR9 on Ebay a few years ago, described as "rare"...yup, they made ONLY 15,000 of them !

He just wants to sell it, and it's likely worth the price if it's a nice one. Canadian dollars ??
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