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Topic: Rickenbacher Serial numbers web page |
Harry Sheppard
From:
Kalispell, MT USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 12:46 pm |
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| Since the question of bakelite (and frypan, Silver Hawaiian & Model 59) serial numbers comes up so often, would someone be willing to host a serial number web page page with with general serial number ranges showing the changes to each model. I think this would be a very good reference to anyone with interest or for general identification. The Gruhn stuff and other identification resources are OK but adding serial number ranges and more detail could really help narrow things down. This has been done for all of the major brands of standard guitars but to my knowledge, does not exist for any Rickenbacher lap steel guitars. This would be a great start and I would gladly give up everything I have and I am sure others could contribute as well. I have TONS of pictures for an identification key. This should take a little of the mystery out of the Rickenbachers serial numbers and would be available to anyone who is interested. Let me know. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 1:46 pm
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I will ...  |
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Harry Sheppard
From:
Kalispell, MT USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 2:20 pm
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Hi Rick,
Great! Here is what I was thinking. I have about 85 documented serial numbers on Bakelites, about 35 frypans and about 35 Silver Hawaiians. I just posted the serial number ranges for Bakelites on another thread which I think is pretty accurate. I will begin to go through my pictures for examples of such things as unmarked and marked frets, tuners, knobs, plates, pots, wire, pickup coil wrappings, pat pend pickup tabs vs. patent number tabs, cases, and anything else useful. I think we should start with Bakelites as I have far more info on these so it will be more complete.
Please let me know the best size for the pictures. I do not think we should post actual serial numbers but serial number ranges. If people want to submit their guitar's serial number with picture and verify the features, I could add it to the list. The more we have the more accurate the ranges will be.
If any one has any other ideas, let me know. As I said, this will be a good reference for what has become one of the most popular lap steels ever made. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 3:32 pm
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Edited ...
Scroll down ...
Last edited by Rick Aiello on 31 May 2007 1:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 3:48 pm
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Looks like we're off and running. I have hundreds if not thousands of pictures of models and components I can contribute as you find the need. Don't be shy.
_________________
Time flies like an eagle
Fruit flies like a banana. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 5:37 pm
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That's a whole other can of worms...
 it has those pedal thingies under it!
_________________
Time flies like an eagle
Fruit flies like a banana. |
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Richard Shatz
From:
St. Louis
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Posted 13 May 2007 6:28 pm
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Here's what I've gleaned over the years.
Correct me if I'm wrong, please.
Frypans:
The earliest ones were numbered sequentially with just numbers ##, ### (2 or 3 digits).
The frypans that followed were numbered with A or B followed by a sequential numbering system of 1,2,3 or 4 digits. (I've never seen an A or B series with just a single digit or more than 3 digits.)
A###
B###
Model B:
C followed by up to 4 digits.
Silver Hawaiian:
D followed by up to 4 digits.
Model 59:
E followed by up to 4 digits.
Just my 2 cents worth, if that. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 13 May 2007 7:42 pm
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The first digit on my frypan is hard to read, making it A124 or possibly 1124.(??)
If they had a letter and numbers, maybe it's an "A".
It has"Pat Pend" stamped on top behind the bridge, if that means anything, date-wise.
Regards BILL |
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Harry Sheppard
From:
Kalispell, MT USA
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Posted 13 May 2007 9:08 pm
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| I think we will start with the bakelites. Frypans are very confusing. Harry |
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Mark Durante
From:
St. Pete Beach FL
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Posted 15 May 2007 3:31 pm
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I have a list going of (postwar) SW and DW model serial numbers. Any contributions or inquries are welcome.
b0b, in 1961 Rickenbacker started their new serial number system with A being 1961 B=1962 etc. So I would guess yours to be 1966. Rick numbers are not always reliable though. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 16 May 2007 9:43 am
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I think you are right Harry. Frypan numbers seem to be all over the place. Maybe the casting facility in those early days stamped them just to keep track of a production run.
BILL |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 31 May 2007 1:42 pm
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Ricky ID
Then click ... PreWar Bakelites |
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