Info on Rickenbacker D-8 needed

[Duane Becker]

I've had this Ricky D-8 that I don't play at all so I would like to sell it. I need some help on a selling price. I did a quick search online, but really didn't find anything related to my particular steel. Everything works, the two switches seem to be touchy, I have to jiggle them a bit to get them to work, so I may be replacing them before I sell it.

There are no numbers or model name, other than Rickenbacker logo on the right front apron. Steel seems to be lightweight, wood in good condition, metal looks good, pickups work fine, tone and volume knobs a bit noisy when turning, but both respond well. Case is in good condition, minor tears in top covering. All latches work good.

I need some info on the steel, the year this model was made, and what would be a fair asking price. (Please don't give a low-ball selling price just so I'll sell it cheap to you. Be honest.)

[Duane Becker]

I did just find some info from premierguitar.com. My model may be a console that debuted in 1956.

[HowardR]

Console 208........1956-1970........$1200-$1500.......depending on condition......

[Duane Becker]

Thanks Howard, that really helps.

[Duane Becker]

I thought I'd mention I took the underside side cover off the Rickenbacker and sprayed some DeoxIT D5 tuner cleaner into the holes of the switches and pots and that cleaned everything up, works great now. Loud clean lively pickups.
Thanks for all the help.

[Willis Vanderberg]

Hello Duane.
Bud Vanderberg here.
Yes that is a 208 Console.
In February of 1959 I was playing the midnight Jamboree at the Ernest Tubb record shop.
As I was about to set up my steel I was interrupted by a yong Lloyd Green. He offered to let me play his guitar. It was a 208 Console that Shot Jackson had put two pedals on.
Great sound from that 208.
$1000-1300 and worth every penny.

[Duane Becker]

Thanks Willis for the reply. Great that you played the Midnight Jamboree, I played it several times between 1997 and 2000 with a group called Wylie and the Wild West. I still cherish those days!
Thanks for help on the price too. Not really into these non-pedal steels except for Fender which I've played for many years. But this double neck Ricky is actually pretty nice. I'm not used to the string relationship with the fret board, and the elevation of the necks, but not that bad once you get used to it.