Dating Rickenbacher D8 Found serial # HELP

[Chris Caruso]

Hi all
I'm trying to date this Rickenbacker D8
Where is the serial number? I'll probably list it for sale when I figure out what year it is. I inherited it
I now have the serial # DW34156 is the serial number. Does anyone have an idea of the value.

[Tim Whitlock]

The model is DW16. Rickenbacker introduced them in 1954 as competition for the Fender Dual Pro. I don't know if the serial number helps. You might have to check the pot codes. The first run had the selector switch to the player's right of the volume and tone controls. This made it difficult to access the tone control and also caused the player to inadvertently move the switch while playing. Rickenbacker fixed this after the first year and configured them like yours. So my guess is yours is no earlier than 1955, and probably not much later. I sold mine and regret it.

[Cartwright Thompson]

That’s a great guitar, whatever year it is doesn’t really matter.

[Garry Vanderlinde]

You might have to check the pot codes.

Here is the pot code if you have the originals still intact...
IRC Pots used on mid-century Rickenbacker Steel Guitars.

[Mark Durante]

Looks like 1954. Very cool. Serial number would confirm, should be stamped by the nut on one of the neck's tuner pan.

[Chris Caruso]

Bump

[Tim Whitlock]

I owned a '54. Yours is most likely '55-56. I'd say $1500 plus shipping would be a reasonable price. The DW16 is a very nice, portable console steel. Fits easily in an airplane overhead bin.