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Author Topic:  Questions about Rickenbacher B6 For Sale
Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2021 4:47 pm    
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Hi All,

I'm looking around for a prewar Rickenbacher B6 and found one for sale. However, the seller has indicated that the pickup has been rewound and the pots replaced by the shop technician. Should I be concerned about the pickup being rewound? And, it's hard to say what value the new pots are now. If I was to purchase the guitar I guess I could ship it to Rick Aiello and have him check it out and make any necessary adjustments to it.

And, this B6 has the 1.5" horseshoe pickup, through the body stringing, black tone and volume knobs on the treble, lower bout panel, and from the an "in hand" description, worn white paint over the plastic "frets." The body panels are white. It appears to be in excellent condition, but I'm guessing the tuners are replacements as they are 3 in a line rather than separate tuners. I would like to make the seller an offer below their asking price of $1700, but am unsure what the market demands these days.

Thanks!

Bill
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Allan Revich


From:
Victoria, BC
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2021 7:21 pm    
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Someone like Noah can probably answer the collectability questions, but new pots and a rewound pickup are probably pluses for playability. Asking price seems high, but nobody is building new pre-war Bakelites anymore!
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)

https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database
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Glenn Wilde

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2021 7:56 pm    
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Its got a tone knob, jeez, forget it!
I kid, those things wouldn't deter me at all, a broken/non-working instrument is not original. Cool if you get it, ive been needing one myself.
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James Knox


From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 1:31 pm    
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Hey Bill,

I would want to know WHO rewound the pickup. I’ve had two B6’s and replaced the Tuners and rewired both with 250k CTS Pots and a new Tone Capacitor. I’m not a collector so keeping everything original was not important to me, but playability and Tone was.

Also, I think $1700 is high for the market, but if you search completed listings on Reverb and EBay you get a feel for what some are willing to pay. For example, I sold my B6 (early 40’s, 1.5 Horseshoe, through body stringing) last month here on the Forum for $1200. Could I have gotten more on Reverb? Probably, but I felt it was more important to sell it to a “regular” here on the Forum who wanted a B6 - nice ones are hard to find. Sold it to a really nice guy here who had been wanting one for awhile and he is putting it to real good use.

With that being said, a Bakelite Ricky Panda is a wonderful instrument. There really is something special about them. Maybe put up a “Want to Buy” and get one from somebody here! Good luck with the hunt!

Peace,

James
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 1:52 pm    
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[quote="Allan Revich"]Someone like Noah can probably answer the collectability questions, but new pots and a rewound pickup are probably pluses for playability. Asking price seems high, but nobody is building new pre-war Bakelites anymore![/quote

Yes, Allan, I guess it does come down to collectibility vs. playability. My primary interest is playability, but if the pickup wasn't done correctly or the pots are the wrong value, then added frustration and cost. And, the cost does seem high to me, but they are open to offers, but not sure how much to offer without insulting them.
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 1:54 pm    
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Glenn Wilde wrote:
Its got a tone knob, jeez, forget it!
I kid, those things wouldn't deter me at all, a broken/non-working instrument is not original. Cool if you get it, ive been needing one myself.


Haha, Glenn! Hard to find the B-6s in reasonable condition at a reasonable price these days. It seems like everything is rising in cost, like houses and used cars. Now B-6's! Just missed out on a nice B-7 here on the forum at a very reasonable cost. Oh well!
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Allan Revich


From:
Victoria, BC
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 1:58 pm    
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Not pre-war, but in excellent condition, and a very cool version…
https://www.retrofret.com/product.asp?ProductID=9641
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 2:07 pm    
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James Knox wrote:
Hey Bill,

I would want to know WHO rewound the pickup. I’ve had two B6’s and replaced the Tuners and rewired both with 250k CTS Pots and a new Tone Capacitor. I’m not a collector so keeping everything original was not important to me, but playability and Tone was.

Also, I think $1700 is high for the market, but if you search completed listings on Reverb and EBay you get a feel for what some are willing to pay. For example, I sold my B6 (early 40’s, 1.5 Horseshoe, through body stringing) last month here on the Forum for $1200. Could I have gotten more on Reverb? Probably, but I felt it was more important to sell it to a “regular” here on the Forum who wanted a B6 - nice ones are hard to find. Sold it to a really nice guy here who had been wanting one for awhile and he is putting it to real good use.

With that being said, a Bakelite Ricky Panda is a wonderful instrument. There really is something special about them. Maybe put up a “Want to Buy” and get one from somebody here! Good luck with the hunt!

Peace,

James


Hey James,

I did ask the question about the pickup rewinding and it was done by the shop's in house tech. Hard to say what the story is there. I'm not against getting a vintage instrument in playable condition, so the repairs don't necessarily bother me as long as everything was done correctly. I guess the worst outcome would be finding out the wrong pots were installed and/or the pickup was wound incorrectly per vintage specs. Something that can be corrected.

I just missed out on what I think was a prewar B-6 in very good condition at Carter Vintage that was going for $1200. And, a B-7 listed here for $1600. Everything else seems to be going for more and not in great condition either. And, I have to say that I'm over the Reverb selling. My last transaction ended up with the guitar being shipped back to me with finish cracks after the seller decided he didn't want it - cold weather shock. Luckily, I purchased their insurance and they were fair with the compensation. Now, I only consign even though I get less. To me, it's worth letting the shop deal with the headaches.

Excellent idea about posting a Want To Buy listing here on the forum. I'll do that right now. Thanks!

Peace to you, too,

Bill
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 2:14 pm    
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Allan Revich wrote:
Not pre-war, but in excellent condition, and a very cool version…
https://www.retrofret.com/product.asp?ProductID=9641


Thanks, Allan! I actually did see that and it is very cool. It's on my "under consideration" list. I just wonder how much of a difference there is between the later versions and the prewar versions? Some folks indicate they prefer the 1.5" horseshoe pickup to the 1.25" pickup, and the through the body stringing to the tailpiece stringing as far as tonal quality. Would be nice to be able to compare each in person. My main interest in playing old Hawaiian tunes on a B-6 or B-7 so not sure if earlier versions are better for that or not.

And, I do have email inquiries into both Retrofret and Carter Vintage about what they might be getting in, but haven't heard back yet. Will probably have to give them a call.
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David Ball


From:
North Carolina High Country
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 3:26 pm    
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And for Hawaiian tunes, don't dismiss the model 59 steel bodied guitars. They're a little homely, but good ones can sound great.

I've sold several bakelites and an early fry pan because I have one model 59 that sounds better than any of those did. I have had other model 59s that didn't though. All wide magnets...

And for the price, get on Todd Clinesmith's order list for one of his. Better guitar and in the same price range. I have one of his cast aluminum 8 stringers, and it's a total killer. Well worth the wait.

Dave
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 4:08 pm    
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David Ball wrote:
And for Hawaiian tunes, don't dismiss the model 59 steel bodied guitars. They're a little homely, but good ones can sound great.

I've sold several bakelites and an early fry pan because I have one model 59 that sounds better than any of those did. I have had other model 59s that didn't though. All wide magnets...

And for the price, get on Todd Clinesmith's order list for one of his. Better guitar and in the same price range. I have one of his cast aluminum 8 stringers, and it's a total killer. Well worth the wait.

Dave


Thanks for the tip on the 59 model, Dave! I certainly have seen them during my search for a B-6/-7. Is there some distinguishing feature of the 59's that would indicate the wide magnet? The earlier ones are ivory colored and the later ones are gray. But that's all I know about them.

And, I have been thinking about contacting Todd. Is it true that a 22" scale length would be more appropriate for Hawaiian music because of the numerous forward and reverse slants? I understand he doesn't make the six string fry pan in that length right now, but may at some point based on demand. Not sure if I would want to order the eight string fry pan just to get the shorter length.
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Gene Tani


From:
Pac NW
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 5:01 pm     Rickenbacher
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Bill: email sent!!
_________________
- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
- The secret sauce: polyester sweatpants to buff your picks, cheapo Presonus channel strip for preamp/EQ/compress/limiter, Diet Mountain Dew
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Allan Revich


From:
Victoria, BC
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2021 9:49 pm     Re: Rickenbacher
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Gene Tani wrote:
Bill: email sent!!


Looks like you might be in luck already, Bill!

I think that if you’re patient something will come up here. I’ve bought from a couple members of SGF and have not been disappointed. Fair prices and fair dealers. The folks here seem to look out for ach other.
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)

https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 22 Sep 2021 8:35 am     Re: Rickenbacher
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Allan Revich wrote:
Gene Tani wrote:
Bill: email sent!!


Looks like you might be in luck already, Bill!

I think that if you’re patient something will come up here. I’ve bought from a couple members of SGF and have not been disappointed. Fair prices and fair dealers. The folks here seem to look out for ach other.


Actually, Gene briefly played the Rickenbacher I was describing in the original post! He didn’t get to play it through an amp, so still wondering about whether the repairs were done correctly. It’s a small world!

So, I have my eye on that particular one and another that I am trying to get some more information on. But if someone on the forum offers one for sale that would be great! Thanks, Allan.
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2021 8:56 am    
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Hi All,

I really appreciate your thoughtful replies and advice. After thinking about it (and not being able to get a reply back from another dealer) I decided to go with the prewar B-6 with the rewound pickup and new pots mentioned in the first post. It is at a vintage guitar shop in Seattle and will ship on Monday. They were willing to come down in price from $1700 to $1500 including shipping. And they are giving me two weeks to decide whether to keep it. So, I feel like it is a low risk purchase. I will add photos and sound files to the post when it arrives. The sound files might help determine if the pickup was correctly wound and if the new pots are the correct value. Not sure.

Thanks!

Bill
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J D Sauser


From:
Wellington, Florida
Post  Posted 26 Sep 2021 12:14 pm    
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While we had one or two Ricki-Specialist even building new "Horseshoe" pickups, I believe that any qualified pickup shop CAN correctly re-wind a Horseshoe pickup coil, when they know how many windings and the exact wire gauge.
Likewise, changing the pot with a correct one is not a problem, except for historical value in much higher priced instruments. The same holds true for replacing the cap.

The price: IF it is a PRE-WWII instrument, the price seems fair for a B6.
For a Wartime or POST-WWII "panda", it's and "OK" price but by no means a bargain.

There are many threads on how to discern a PRE-from a-POST WWII bakelite B-Ricky.

... J-D.
_________________
__________________________________________________________

Was it JFK who said: Ask Not What TAB Can Do For You - Rather Ask Yourself "What Would B.B. King Do?"

A Little Mental Health Warning:

Tablature KILLS SKILLS.
The uses of Tablature is addictive and has been linked to reduced musical fertility.
Those who produce Tablature did never use it.

I say it humorously, but I mean it.
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Bill Eisele

 

From:
New Mexico, USA
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2021 7:37 am    
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J D Sauser wrote:
While we had one or two Ricki-Specialist even building new "Horseshoe" pickups, I believe that any qualified pickup shop CAN correctly re-wind a Horseshoe pickup coil, when they know how many windings and the exact wire gauge.
Likewise, changing the pot with a correct one is not a problem, except for historical value in much higher priced instruments. The same holds true for replacing the cap.

The price: IF it is a PRE-WWII instrument, the price seems fair for a B6.
For a Wartime or POST-WWII "panda", it's and "OK" price but by no means a bargain.

There are many threads on how to discern a PRE-from a-POST WWII bakelite B-Ricky.

... J-D.


Thanks for your input, J-D. The guitar will show up this Thursday. Based on the photos and in-hand description it would appear to be a prewar guitar. The horseshoe pickup is 1.5" and it has through the body stringing. The headstock plate would appear to indicate the same.

Not sure how to discern the number of windings and wire gauge in a pickup once it's wound. And, no way to measure the value of pots unless they are removed from the circuit.
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