Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I have a Rickenbacker passed down to me by my Muso Grandfather...
My mother was also a Muso however she has passed away as well..
I myself am not but I am hoping one of my kids will be so I am in two minds as to weather to sell this guitar or not..

Can you please tell me what it is..

It's Bakelite, it doesn't have a serial number it only has one Pat number on the bakelite and another on the steel..
The Rickenbacker is spelled with a "h" in the bacher...
My Grandfather used to tell me that there where only 2 in Australia and that is was rare...
From what I have googled it looks like a B series Spanish but it has two black nobs, one on each side... Were as the Spanish one I seen only had 1..
Is this a collecters Item? What is something like this worth? What model is it?

it also has a case..

Thank you

More pictures

I surprised the more knowledgable haven't chimed in.

What you have is a beautiful Model B, but Hawiaan, not spanish. The spanish had a long round neck, but was otherwise the same. The early models of both had only a single volume control. When they first added a tone control, it was on the side opposite the volume control, as in your guitar. IIRC (and probably don't) this dates it to 1937. Later models had both the volume and tone control on the same side.

I am no expert on these guitars, but my best assumption is model:
No. 625-H - Six String Hawaiian

Best that I could match from the Smith book. Maybe someone who knows much better than me can verify or correct that. It tends to be a little slower here on the weekends.

Thanks so much for replying and you know this makes loads of sense because my Grandfather also made his own slide guitar this thing is awesome he was a genius but I also remember he was right into the Hawaiian music so it seems right that it be Hawaiian...

I wonder what this is worth? maybe I should keep it until it hits 100 years old..

1937-38 Model B Hawaiian.
Control knobs are not original.
The value of these is not what it was two years ago. You might be able to get $1000 for it, maybe a little more.
It's impossible to say. Recently, I 've seen these go for anywhere between $800-$1500.
It's definitely of interest to collectors and players alike.

Thanks for clarifying, Richard!
I was thinking a Model B at first, but all the pictures in the book show the Model B with just one control.

Joey,
The first Model B ca. 35-36 had only a volume control on the treble side.
In 37 a tone control was added on the bass side and by 39 both controls were on the treble side.
That configuration was continued through to the end of production ca. 1970.

Yes your right I found this last night
http://www.telapex.com/~cejjrpe/modBchblk.htm
It's identical to mine...

Thanks for that info, Richard. This thread may have sparked quite an interest for me with these Hawaiian guitars!

rickenbrother wrote:Thanks for that info, Richard. This thread may have sparked quite an interest for me with these Hawaiian guitars!

Do we need to warn Diane?

jps wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:Thanks for that info, Richard. This thread may have sparked quite an interest for me with these Hawaiian guitars!

Do we need to warn Diane?

Why? I am the only person who doesn't know that she has a Hawaiian guitar phobia?

rickenbrother wrote:

jps wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:Thanks for that info, Richard. This thread may have sparked quite an interest for me with these Hawaiian guitars!

Do we need to warn Diane?

Why? I am the only person who doesn't know that she has a Hawaiian guitar phobia?

Just wait a couple years till you have a closet full of them.

jps wrote: Just wait a couple years till you have a closet full of them.

I didn't say I was gonna collect them! Maybe just one...

You never heard of LSAS?