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Topic: pre-war Bakelite, how much? |
Brian Beebe
From:
Atlanta, Ga. 30214
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Posted 28 May 2001 2:59 pm |
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| How much is a pre-war Rickenbacker Bakelite going for these days? I found one for sale that is in nice shape. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 28 May 2001 6:45 pm
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In my experience, I'd say $700 - $1000 depending on who's doing the selling. Look for the high end at dealers - like Gruhn's & Mandolin Brothers - and the lower end from private sellers (and if you're lucky, on
E-Bay from time to time. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 28 May 2001 6:57 pm
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| I'd be interested in hearing more about the Bakelite you've discovered should you elect not to pursue it further. I'm just a picker and I'm trying to replace the one I had that was stolen. I paid $150 for a six string in pristine condition complete with hardshell case; Paid $350 for a seven string with soft case. Also in excellent condition. |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 29 May 2001 10:59 am
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Ray,
You did a lot better than I did. I paid $925.00 for my 7 string Bakelite Rick. And I was glad to get it. I would do it again.
But I hope others can find them cheaper. When I was pricing them, it seemed that 6 strings were going for 600+ and 7 strings for 800+.
I had first bid on the 7 srting Tom Brumley bought from Gruehn's. They were asking 800. But I didn't like that someone had changed the key strips on both sides with individual keys. So I waited and found one with everythig original. Outside
God bless all in your quest,
carl |
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Brian Beebe
From:
Atlanta, Ga. 30214
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Posted 30 May 2001 6:56 pm
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| Thanks to all for your input. I am still trying to get in contact with the seller on this one, but the price is more in the $700 range than $150. |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Jun 2001 7:50 pm
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| I have an 8 string bakelight that I aquired in 1949 or 1950 for $136.00, but it ain't for sale. Jody. |
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Brian Beebe
From:
Atlanta, Ga. 30214
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Posted 8 Jun 2001 7:21 pm
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| I am awaiting the arrival of my pre-war B-6 but the seller has a matching amp that I didn't want. He wants about $350 to $400 for it if anyone is interested. |
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Brian Beebe
From:
Atlanta, Ga. 30214
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Posted 11 Jun 2001 2:24 pm
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Bad news. I was just informed that the pickup doesn't work on the B-6. How would rewinding it affect the sound, and cost?
Thanks, Brian |
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Mark Durante
From:
St. Pete Beach FL
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Posted 11 Jun 2001 4:03 pm
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| It would need to be checked out by a qualified repair person with experience in this area. Sometimes the PU can be repaired without rewinding at all. If it does need rewinding, the tone can come as close as the match of wire and the skill of the repair person. $50.00 to $100.00 range |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 12 Jun 2001 5:07 am
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| Caveat Emptor, Brian! |
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Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2001 6:12 am
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Brian,
It is a little unclear as to where you are on this deal. I bought a pre-1937 Ric bakelite 6 with a nonfunctional pickup, one missing deco plate and no tuners under ideal conditions. The owner, a local vintage dealer friend, let me take it with the understanding that if I could make it work I would pay him a fair value amount later.
Turned out the pickup horseshoe magnets had lost their magnetism. Wayne Tanner out in Texas remedied that for me and the guitar sounds great. It is my opinion that the pickup coil itself is the least likely culprit. If it does need rewinding, Seymour Duncan quoted me about $150 and maybe 2 or 3 mos backlog time. There are others with as good or better reputation for rewinding. But first, try laying a screwdriver on the magnets and seeing if they have any strength. On mine the magnets were just about completely dead and the pickup volume was just a whisper. I'd also look for shorts or discontinuities in the wiring.
In my opinion, it would be very risky to pay more than say $300 for a pre-War Ric with a dead pickup. Be careful. Were you informed of the dead pickup after paying full price? If so, you should be entitled to a refund.
By the way Carl, I'm with you. So what if you paid a "premium" price? You have the guitar of your dreams! It's obvious that you really love it. And those 7-strings are really rare.
All the best,
Bob[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 12 June 2001 at 07:18 AM.] |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2001 6:38 am
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Lindy Fralin at www.fralinpickups.com did my Ricky horseshoe pickup. He did a great job!!
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Brian Beebe
From:
Atlanta, Ga. 30214
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Posted 12 Jun 2001 4:52 pm
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| My thanks to all for your input and insight. Caveat Emptor indeed, Andy. I bought this B-7 because it was so clean and I always wanted a pre-war bakelite. This one appears to be made in 1941. When the seller put new strings on it he discovered it didn't work. His tech tells him the pickup is no good. He is mailing my check back to me. I'm guessing maybe he got a better offer. He did not try and re-negotiate, or to get it fixed. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. |
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