Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm thinking of buying a Bakelite lap steel.
I've looked around at this forum and come to a few conclusions:

1- A 1.5" Magnet is better
2- An integrated Bakelite bridge, where the strings go thru the body has more sustain, and is therefore better.
3- Pre-war steels are better than post.

Is this correct?
Also I have not read much on nameplates...
Can one tell anything about the steel by the name plate?
i.e. "Rickenbacher Electro" (T-shaped), "Rickenbacher" (vertical), "Rickenbacher Electro L.A. Calif..." (horizontal)

Mark,
I'm going to try to answer by the numbers.
1. Most people think so. They're all good depending on the sound you're looking for.
2. Most people would agree. Sometimes I don't want much sustain at all, but I'm more a blues guy than a country guy. Some of the ones with the metal tail pieces also sustain incredibly.
3. I can't say that's really true. Again, it depends on the sound you're looking for.

Headstock logos are well documented, but not always completely accurate for dating an instrument.
PreWW2: Engraved "Electro"
Metal "Electro" name plate
PostWW2: Decal Rickenbacher
T shaped logo
Blade shaped logo
Hope this helps. Almost all of them are really good.

That helps a great deal.
Thanks!