Is my lap steel Electro related to Rickenbacker?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » Sat Nov 25, 2000 1:13 pm

I've recently aquired a lap steel and I'm trying to get some history on it. It has a metal plate on the side that reads Electro, but on the face it reads Stringtone. Any information would be appreciated.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Nov 25, 2000 1:44 pm

Sandra: In the beginning, Electro String Instrument Corporation manufactured "Rickenbacker" brand products. Electro produced guitars under other names including, but not necessarily limited to, Ryder, Symphonia Grand, Academy, NHF, and Contello. It is likely that other names were used as well and perhaps "Stringtone." Your Electro is a relative of Rickenbacker.

sandra · Post by **sandra** » Sat Nov 25, 2000 2:17 pm

Thanks for the information! Can someone direct me to a website or some other source so I can identify the year (and its worth). I only have a pat. no. for it.

rshatz · Post by **rshatz** » Sun Dec 10, 2000 3:23 pm

Please post a photo.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Dec 11, 2000 1:06 pm

Richard: This is the best photo submitted by Sandra for identification purposes. I have asked her for more detailed close up photos. It looks to be a Model 102 to me.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Dec 11, 2000 3:50 pm

If it has the Electro badge on it, then this is a Model EH-1. If it has flanges on the bottom for screw-on legs, then it's an EH-3.

If it has a Rickenbacker nameplate, it's a Model 101 without flanges, or a 103 with.

It can't be a 102 because it has an under-string pickup. The 100, 102 and 105 were equipped with over-string pickups but otherwise identical.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Dec 11, 2000 9:07 pm

Thanks John. It has an Electro badge on it and is without flanges so this narrows it down to the EH-3 then. I will post the additional photos when they arrive.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Dec 11, 2000 9:18 pm

Here are the photos showing the electro nameplate and the stringtone name near the bridge.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Mon Dec 11, 2000 10:50 pm

The Stringtone unit is an accessory string bender added after the guitar left the factory. Essentially it makes the instrument perform like an imprecise pedal steel, but with a vibrato-like hand motion. I'd forgotten that these existed and that it was a Rowe-DeArmond product.

rshatz · Post by **rshatz** » Sun Dec 17, 2000 12:29 pm

John Hall's posting is very informative. My guess would have been that this instrument is a late variant of the Model 100 series. I was completely unaware of the EH models. It would be great if photos and specs of the EH models were posted on this site.
I would be interested to know the production year. The instrument appears to have a high gain pickup with exposed poles, which I think was made in the late "60s or early "70s.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » Mon Dec 18, 2000 9:24 pm

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the attention to my posting.
Sandra