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Author Topic:  Rickenbacker B6 Question
Rick Schacter

 

From:
Portland, Or.
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2015 2:25 pm    
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I recently found a Rickenbacker B6 in a music store.
Their asking price is $699.

I checked the instrument over and couldn't find any cracks at all.
When I plugged it in, I was impressed with how strong and clean the pickup was.

The questions that I have are:

-What year was this B6 made?

-Other than the cover missing from over the tuners, are there any other issues that I might be missing?

- Is this a good price on this instrument?

Thanks.







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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2015 4:22 pm    
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It's post-WWII, late 40s, 1950s. The price tag seems to say "Model BD". $699 seems to be a very fair price. Nice ones sell for about $800, from what I've seen. That one is missing the cover that goes on the headstock. The main thing is the pickup output, and you said that is strong. Also check the tuners and make sure they turn smoothly and hold the strings tight.
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Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 20 Nov 2015 4:25 pm    
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X2 on what Doug said....
Too bad about the cover though.
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Rick Schacter

 

From:
Portland, Or.
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2015 10:00 am    
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Thanks, guys.
I really appreciate the information. Smile
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Rick Barnhart


From:
Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2015 10:05 am    
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This one has the 1.25" wide horseshoe and not the "more desirable" 1.5" one. You may be able to use this fact to negotiate an even better price. The current price does seem like a good deal, though.
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Steve Wilson


From:
Morgan Hill, California, USA
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2015 10:45 am    
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A person handy with woodworking could make a new wooden cover for it if you really felt you needed one.
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Rick Schacter

 

From:
Portland, Or.
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2015 3:01 pm    
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Steve Wilson wrote:
A person handy with woodworking could make a new wooden cover for it if you really felt you needed one.


I'm not all that concerned about the missing cover.

I'm impressed with how strong and clean the pickup is on this guitar.
I thought the tone was amazing when I plugged it into a Blackface Fender that was in the shop.

It was a little out of tune when I first picked it up.
When I was turning the tuners they felt smooth.

It did feel like whoever strung up the instrument used a lighter gauge string than what I'd like to use. But that was the only thing that I didn't care for.

If I actually do buy this thing, I'm definitely planning to give another inspection of the tuners keeping in mind what Doug Beaumier said, as well as my good friend Bob Muller (who I spoke with last night).

Thanks again, guys. Smile
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 21 Nov 2015 3:16 pm    
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I'm not surprised that the lap steel has lighter strings on it. Most music store guys know nothing about lap steel and they often put a standard set of guitar strings on a lap steel. It's true that the pre-war, wider pickup is more sought-after, but this one is still a good sounding lap steel. As far as negotiating a lower price, I would mention the missing cover for the headstock, and maybe even bring in a picture of a complete one... if that's not too bold. Cool
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Rick Schacter

 

From:
Portland, Or.
Post  Posted 22 Nov 2015 6:12 pm     It's Mine Now
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Well, I picked it up today.
They were aware that they were already offering this up at a pretty fair price, so I was only able to get them to knock off another $20.
What the heck, I'll take it.

Thanks to everyone for your help. Smile

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David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 22 Nov 2015 7:55 pm    
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Rick Aiello, who is a wizard of magnetism, once said that he found the steel quality in the post-war pick-ups to be superior in some cases.
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Rick Schacter

 

From:
Portland, Or.
Post  Posted 22 Nov 2015 8:05 pm    
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David Matzenik wrote:
Rick Aiello, who is a wizard of magnetism, once said that he found the steel quality in the post-war pick-ups to be superior in some cases.


Hi David,

I haven't played this guitar side by side with a pre-war Rickenbacker yet.
All I know is that this guitar has an absolutely beautiful clean tone.
In fact the clean tone is so beautiful that it gives me goosebumps and when I kick on my overdrive pedal, this guitar screams!

It's a keeper. Smile
Now to put heavier gauge strings on it.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 22 Nov 2015 8:26 pm    
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Congrats, you got a great lap steel guitar at a very good price!
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Rick Schacter

 

From:
Portland, Or.
Post  Posted 22 Nov 2015 8:56 pm    
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Doug Beaumier wrote:
Congrats, you got a great lap steel guitar at a very good price!


Thanks, Doug.
I just got through ordering strings from the forum store for it.
Can't wait to try it out with the correct strings. Smile
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