Rickenbacher B-6 Magnet Width

Exploring the beauty and tone of Rickenbacker Lap Steels

Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4

Post Reply
jolasa
New member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:42 pm

Rickenbacher B-6 Magnet Width

Post by jolasa »

What is the difference between the B-6 with a 1.25" wide magnet as compared to the 1.5" wide magnet?

Which width came first?
Which is the best?
Difference in instrument tone?
Difference in instrument value?

When did Rickenbacher change from wide to narrow (or other way around)?

JonS
User avatar
jps
RRF Consultant
Posts: 37132
Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2003 6:00 am

Re: Rickenbacher B-6 Magnet Width

Post by jps »

Hi Jon, the only question I can answer is, the 1 1/2" horseshoes came first. 8)
rshatz
RRF Consultant
Posts: 466
Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2000 11:31 am

Re: Rickenbacher B-6 Magnet Width

Post by rshatz »

Which width came first? The 1-1/2 inch magnet was used on the earliest frypan lap steel guitars as early as 1932. The 1-1/2 inch pickup his considered to be one of the best steel guitar pick ups ever made. I prefer it to the 1-1/4 inch. It was produced until sometime early during World War II. After World War II the 1-1/4 inch pickup was introduced. It was in production until the early 70s.

Which is the best? The 1-1/2 inch pickup his considered to be one of the best steel guitar pick ups ever made. I prefer it to the 1-1/4 inch.

Difference in instrument tone? The prewar pickups have a warmer and fatter tone.

Difference in instrument value? The prewar instruments tend to bring higher prices with a few exceptions.
Post Reply

Return to “Rickenbacker Steels: by Richard Shatz”