ID request for Rickenbacker steel

robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

Can someone please ID the model of this Rickenbacker steel Sol Hoopi is playing in the 1937 movie "Rhythm in the Clouds," most likely filmed in 1936?
Thanks very much in advance.

@ 31:57
Rhythm in the Clouds (1937) COMEDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDnCzUX_RXI

Noah Miller · From: Rocky Hill, CT

Looks like a conventional Model B 6-string.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Could that B-6 be the instrument that Mike Neer plays?

Cartwright Thompson · Posted 5 Jan 2025 1:29 pm

Sol is playing an early B-6. I may be wrong but I think Mike’s is a later one from the 40’s.

robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

Thanks to all for the fast answer. I know very little about non-pedal steels and didn't know where to start. I couldn't and still can't find any images online that match exactly Sol Hoopii's Rickenbacker in "Rhythm in the Clouds." Does this any make sense with what you guys already know:

The Electro String Instrument, Inc. catalog lists this Rickenbacker as: "B Model." Gruhn lists it as "Model B," "introduced 1935," with "1 octagonal knob on the bass side." Gruhn lists, "by 1937," the addition of the "Pointer knob on the treble side," (along with the "Round knob on the bass side") The "Rhythm in the Clouds" steel clearly has a knob on the treble side.

One thing that was throwing me off was that "Rhythm in the Clouds" was released in 1937, but Sol Hoopii's Rickenbacker appears to have "White Painted Plates" Gruhn lists available: "1940."

In 1935, Sol Hoopii would have been advising Electro String Instrument, Inc. on their instruments and would have received their latest models. It's probable that in 1936-37, Electro String could have built Sol a steel with "White Painted Plates," just for the movies to block the reflections from the key lights during filming.

I've been watching the movies available online that Sol Hoopii is in. He could really play. Some of his stuff would work today.

I am interested in this because "Rhythm in the Clouds" opened at the Palace Theatre at 211 North Michigan Street in South Bend on July 28, 1937, and in Nashville on August 23, 1937, at the 5th Avenue Theatre at 218 5th Ave. North.

Nathan Laudenbach · From: Montana

I would assume that’s just glare off the chrome plates, they look the same color as the horseshoe pickup

robert kramer · From: Nashville TN

Nathan Laudenbach, That rings true. I was over thinking it.

Glenn Wilde · From: California, USA

I have a first run B6 and it has a single octagonal volume knob on the treble side, output jack on the bass side

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