Ricky Silver Hawaiian

Steve Hamill · From: California, USA

What's the going rate for a good condition Silver Hawaiian with original case?
The local Guitar Center has one and I'm curious.
Thanks pickers!

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Steve, I bought a 37-38 Silver Hawaiian in great shape with the single knob on the audience side a few years ago and paid about $800 for mine. I've seen em go for anywhere from $600-800 on up, and not as nice as mine.

Here's one goin for more. http://lapsteelguitar.com/awsumcart.asp?itemcode=lap_rick_12

Here's another one. http://www.mlrapcb.net/30s-RICKENBACHER-SILVER-HAWAIIAN,i280224781468,c118994.html

And one more http://www.northcoastguitars.com.au/silhaw.html

If you keep an eye out you'll eventually find one for a decent price.

Here's mine

Steve Hamill · From: California, USA

Thanks Andy! The local one here is $1299 and not in as good of condition as those. I'll keep looking.

Steve Hamill · From: California, USA

I should never have broken down and actually played it. What a tone!!!!!
I plugged it in to a used Fishman loudbox they had sitting there. WOW!!
Now what am I gonna do? Whoa!

Bill Creller · From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)

Not to deter from your liking the guitar, but try it in other amps as well. Those pickups seem to like certain amps, and don't sound as well in others. Must be the impedance match between the guitar and the amp input circuits (?)

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Here's my minty 1951 8-string G-Deluxe w/gold plating,lucite fretboard and flip-up keyhead cover.
I have the original clear plastic knobs back on there now.
I wonder what it's worth...

You know you can date them by reading the date on the L.A. Times newspaper they're stuffed with. Mine says April 5,1951.
I like the tone on this series as well or better than the bakelite penguins - instead of that subdued mellow moan,it's brighter,twangier and honkier. It's my go-to guitar when I have to replicate early Hawaiian records or that old school Hank Snow era C6 stuff. Just plug em into a small tube amp and turn it up to just past clean and you're good to go. Sounds very fat and glassy through a clean high power pedal steel amp like a Steel King also. In my experience,they hold tune better than penguins do.

Bill Creller · From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)

Michael I see you are owned by a cat too Very Happy

The bakelites will change tuning especially when played on a lap, and early frypans seem to be that way too. I use a stand to get around that problem.
That's a beautiful guitar!!

Steve Hamill · From: California, USA

Andy and Michael,
both of your Ricky's are in far better condition than this one at GC. It does sound amazing though.
Even with old dead strings it really sang. Is there any tone difference between these and the white and gray to black painted models?

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Steve, My Silver Hawaiian pictured above didn't look anything like it does in the photo when I first bought it. It was very oxidized and needed some serious polishing and some tender lovin care to make it shine like it does now. I also changed out the tuners as one of the originals was broken. I think each Rickenbacher is gonna have it's own distinct sound due to body material, condition of pickup (1 1/2 vs 1 1/4) among other factors. My bakelite B-7 has a more drier, bassier sound compared to the hollower sound of the Silver Hawaiian. They all sound great in their own way though and you won't be dissapointed if you own one.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

I once built a home recording studio for a municipal judge in Glendale who happened to be a blues guitar player. When he found out I was a steel player,he gave me a 1940s 6-string Ricky student model of the Silver Hawaiian with the "battleship greyburst" paint job which he had found in his grandmother's attic when she passed on.
I had it for years and used it for David Lindley type blues-rock things and it excelled at that stuff and also sounded good clean. When I got the 8-string I gave the grey one to a friend. They're kinda ugly but they sound great. There's not a great deal of difference in tone with any Ricky from that series.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

A couple of weeks back, SOMEONE.....posted a photo of a Bakelite (I beleive it was) with that same Lucite fret board shown in the photo here..... Was that a stock Rickenbacher variation or was that a player's desire..........???

So many unanswered questions and so little time.

William Steward · From: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Ray why don't you re-post another copy of the picture you took of your (absolutely obscene) collection of Rickys all posing on a couch... Smile

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

Ron ! · Posted 23 Aug 2008 10:48 pm

You guys can have the guitars....I want THAT!! couch.

Steve Hamill · From: California, USA

Glad I'm not looking for a Bakelite now that we know who has em all.

Seriously, if you forum brothers happen to spot one on the market, please drop me a line. Silver, Gray/Black, or White, I'm not that particular. As long as it sounds good!

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: