Rickenbacker SW-8

[b0b]

With the generous help of several Forum members, I recently acquired a mid-50s Rickenbacker SW-8.

The serial number is SW 5239. Anyone know the year?

I cleaned it up and restrung it to my preferred tuning D6/G. The pickup height was out of whack. Some if the strings were actually touching the horseshoe magnet. Adjusting it turned out to be a bit of a trick. The 8th string was sounding very weak so I got a flashlight and looked carefully. It has a 7-string pickup!

I remember that I had a Rickenbacker pedal steel with the same problem, except that it was the 1st string that was at the very edge of the coil with no pole piece. I figure that 7-string guitars weren't selling and they had a stock of pickups, so the shoveled them into 8-string guitars thinking no one would notice. I'd like to find a real Rick 8-string pickup coil.

Beyond that, the two middle strings have an acoustic buzz/rattle. The nut isn't firmly attached. I'm thinking that might be the cause.

I snapped a couple of pictures for you all. The first one was flash, the second was my ceiling light. That's why the color looks different.

The case isn't shown, but it's in nice condition. It even included 2 vintage bars - a Stevens and a no-name bakelite bar.

[Allan Revich]

That’s a pretty cool guitar b0b. Congratulations on locating it.

[b0b]

Turns out that the rattle was the head cover. I put a piece of Velcro (fuzzy side) on the back of it. Problem solved. It sounds pretty darn good now!

[Garry Vanderlinde]

I recently bought a similar Rickenbacker.
The pickups are a basic 6-string bobbin with a pole added on each side for 8 strings and then all taped together. Looks like a pregnant guppie, but there are 8 pole pieces.
Vintage Guitar Price Guide:
1956 to 1962
Dark or Blond finish.
$1,000-$1,300 wo. legs
$1,400-$1,750 wt. legs

Gruhn’s GUIDE also list them at 1956 to ’62 Dark or blonde finish.
(b0b, that Red head you were lusting over may be a die-job…)

[b0b]

I guess it was a good deal on Ebay at $780.

[Garry Vanderlinde]

b0b, does your's only have 7 pole pieces on the bobbin?

[b0b]

That is correct. Only 7 pole pieces. The 1st string has a pole piece near the edge. It's weak too, but not as bad as the 8th. It's obviously a 6-string bobbin.

Anyone know where I can get an original 8-string coil?

[Rick Barnhart]

Todd builds VERY VERY good 8 string horseshoe pick ups. If that Ricky was mine, I know what I’d do.

[Nic Neufeld]

Todd builds VERY VERY good 8 string horseshoe pick ups. If that Ricky was mine, I know what I’d do.

Was scrolling to the end of the thread quickly to say just this. Not sure how soon he'll be back up in operation, or if he's willing to sell them as parts, but it is a good sounding pickup for sure!!

[Bas Kapitein]

Congratulation!
May I suggest you tune it like George de Fretes?
D-B-A-F#-D-B-A-F#. yes thats a D6th.

[b0b]

I tune D6th with a high F# and G for the 8th string.

[Scott Thomas]

From what I have read here (from Rick Aiello), this is not unheard of on Rickenbacker 8 string guitars and consoles. It's too bad, because I love the looks of that model, B0B, and the double neck version as well!

[Paul McEvoy]

Not sure if it's an option but in my opinion of buying things online, if it's not as advertised and not really want you want, get a refund asap.

What happens is I don't want to be a bad guy and end up keeping the thing, but ultimately I'm not happy with it, and then as an honest seller I'm left with something not worth what I paid for it that I have to honestly sell at a loss.

At this point if I get something not as described I try to return it immediately. Just a thought.

[b0b]

I doubt that the seller was a musician, Paul, or had any idea that the guitar had any problem. The strings were ancient. I rarely return anything, least of all a steel guitar. They are all worth more than what they sell for, IMHO.

And I certainly wouldn't return this gem.

[Garry Vanderlinde]

From what I have read here (from Rick Aiello), this is not unheard of on Rickenbacker 8 string guitars and consoles.

You might try and give Rick Aiello a call and see if he can wind a 8 string bobbin for you. If anyone can do it right, he can.

[Paul McEvoy]

Cool as long as you're happy with it!

[b0b]

New picture:

[Allan Revich]

New picture:

That is SWEET! Nice catch.

[Gary Goldsmith]

Nice guitar Bob. These sound really sweet. Very moderne design change from the square consoles. I think the guy in the Blue Hawaiians used one of these. Here is mine...up for sale now on the forum. It looks brand new.

[Joe Cook]

Nice snag bOb! I love the look of that model. Wish I had the scratch for that one of yours Gary. It looks like it just came out of the factory!

[Gary Goldsmith]

Yes it's in great shape for a 57. Thanks to your post Bob I checked the pole pieces and there were 8 per neck. Never thought of that. I also discovered it a little dusty under there, I'll clean 'em up. Thanks.

[Mark Durante]

Sorry I am late to the party. D5239 would make it a 1955. I own one SW, it has 8 polepieces, I have owned 4 DW models all with 8 polepieces. I have actually never seen the ones with 7 poles but have heard of them. The 8 string pickup bobbin wire wraps do look crude but at that time they were struggling just to get by after Fender was on the job and Rickenbacker dropped the ball. I just think Adolf had had enough and didn't really care like he used to. When FC Hall bought him out in 1953, he tried to put new ideas into production starting fresh in 1954 when the DW and SW were launched. There were probably just a handful of employees at that time.
Gruhn's book is in error with his dates on these models. I even approached him at a NAMM show in the 90s and explained it to him but he obviously didn't care. By 1957 these two models were history even though they were still listed in their catalogs for years, I guess if someone wanted one they could order it. From 55 on they concentrated on spanish electrics with Rossmeisel designing and building the guitars that would make Rickenbacker more successful than ever. The SW and DW were the first Rickenbacker models to feature the new logo that survives to this day.

[Andy Volk]

Really cool guitar Bob - and dripping with postwar streamlined design. The pickup issue is easily fixable. Todd is definitely your guy. His horseshoe's sound amazing.

[Mark Durante]

My error in my last post was that your D5239 of course yours is a SW. I think that DW and SW had their own serial numbers as I have seen some SW and DW with the same numbers.I am attempting to post the list I have compiled over the years. I was not there, I could be wrong about some things, if anyone has more info I would love to hear it.I'll also try to post the introduction of the DW with the new Rickenbacker logo also from International Musician Magazine, Feb 1954


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[b0b]

Thanks, Mark. I see my guitar on your list!