| Author |
Topic: Rickenbacker Bakelite B Serial Number |
Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
|
Posted 7 Mar 2015 3:50 pm |
|
Lots to say about this (early; mid-'30s?) bakelite (unofficially, Model WTF) but for now I want to focus on the serial number.
A quick search of the Forum and beyond says most bakelites have C numbers and B numbers are possible but rarely seen.
Apart from modifications, this seems to be the earliest version of the Bakelite steel: Pat. Pend. on one pickup tab, 1-1/2" wide pickup, non-outlined frets "Rickenbacher" headstock plate. (There are 3-on-a-side tuners in the original case. I can't look right now because this is on pawn shop/police hold until 3/25.) Serial number, as you can see, is B (?) 8. I hope this adds to the knowledge and theories surrounding the murky world of pre-war serial numbers.
Additional details for bakelite fans:
 
I did nothing to disabuse a retailer of the tag's proclamation that this is a "1950s Rickenbacker Bakelite" (but we know better, don't we?). The apparently original pickup is intact. Only one metal (original?) plate remains, later white plastic ones added--one missing altogether--and it has taken on an added tone control, only now tone is where the original volume was and the volume (with the original? octagonal knob) is in the added hole.
A second jack has been added on the treble side of the body. The original remains. Both work!
There's a small metal bar behind the saddle (under the 6th, 5th, 4th strings) with an apparent ground wire running to the pickup thumbscrew.
The current tuners are individual closed back Japanese models. The headstock contains more mysteries. Set into the top are two tuner posts (they don't continue to the back) which apparently deflect the 3rd and 4th strings away from the 2nd and 5th tuner posts. Two other vertically positioned countersunk Phillips screws emerge from the back of the headstock and accommodate wing nuts. For securing to some kind of stand?
And then there are a few fretboard "enhancements".
This is a player to be sure, but it sounds like a million bucks as it should, but doesn't cost a million bucks, (Well short of a thousandth of that, actually.)
For all the tragicomedic modifications, it does come with an original shaped case, accessory pocket overflowing with original tuners and other hardware, and a well-aged Matson Lines (Hawaii) sticker on the outside.
Thanks to the Forum and its sage membership, I knew some things the seller didn't (or didn't bother to research.) The modification madness ends here.
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?" |
|
|
 |
Alan Berdoulay
|
Posted 8 Mar 2015 5:52 am
|
|
| Did someone scratch a 7 next to that missing serial number? |
|
|
|
Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
|
Posted 8 Mar 2015 8:03 am
|
|
It looks like it a "7" of sorts, but it's so faint, I doubt that it's a factory marking. It might even be a random scratch.
A Ric dating site (a link on horseshoemagnets.com) suggests that Grover(?) strip tuners with oval buttons appeared on the first 300 or so bakelites. I believe that's the version I saw in the accessory pocket.
Clearly, I'm hoping that this might be one of the very very first bakelites although I'm happy to have any pre-war example.
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?" |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Alan Berdoulay
|
Posted 8 Mar 2015 10:38 am
|
|
Up for your perusal......#C163
 |
|
|
|
Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
|
Posted 8 Mar 2015 10:52 am
|
|
I think the upper hole (now with octagonal knob) was added. It doesn't appear to be in the correct place for a two-knob plate. The lower position (now tone) looks like the original location. I tried to unscrew the plate but but it only lifts up about 1/2"--not enough to see much. I didn't pursue matters as far as loosening the knobs from the shaft. We'll see come 3/25 (end of "police hold," start of no-strings, as it were, ownership.)
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?" |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 8 Mar 2015 11:40 am
|
|
looks like it was a single knobber!
mine is a late 37ish model probably, with s/n c920(?).
(i think..haven't looked for awhile.)
knob on either side.
 |
|
|
|
Allen Hutchison
From:
Kilcoy, Qld, Australia
|
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Dick Chapple Sr
From:
Hardin Montana, USA
|
Posted 8 Mar 2015 7:17 pm Ricky B-6
|
|
I am a proud owner of one of these beauties too. I have # C1528.
Bought it at a small music store in a tiny community for $35.00 in 1982 or 83. That was my breakfast and lunch money for 2 weeks. Very nice shape in it's guitar shaped case which safely holds the guitar but really needs restoration. So I think mine falls in the after Aug 1937 to Dec 1939 somewhere.
Dick |
|
|
|
