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Topic: Rickenbacher A-22 |
Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 14 Dec 2010 5:07 am |
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We acquired this fine piece of history in the mid 60's with an amplifier too... it was used at that time and cannot remember who we purchased it from back in Memphis, Tennessee. I thought someone might be able to assist in dating it. To me it sounds wonderful. Any thoughts or comments are appreciated greatly. Steve
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 14 Dec 2010 8:52 am
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These Frying Pans were made in the 50s. Usually there is a bakelite cover that went on the back of the instrument (nevermind, I see it off on the side).
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Last edited by Mike Neer on 14 Dec 2010 8:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ron Simpson
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2010 8:52 am
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| The headstock decal, separate fret board, and bakelite back cover indicate a post war instrument. The number on the potentiometer would get the date a bit closer. Nice instrument by the way. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 14 Dec 2010 8:53 am
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Based on the date code on the potentiometer, the decal instead of the metal name plate and the Bakelite backing plate, I'd say this A22 was made around 1954.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 14 Dec 2010 2:24 pm
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| The black fret board indicates it as one of the last built. Post war frypas has cast frets until near the end of production. That one is kind of rare, with the black fret board. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2010 8:32 am
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| Another thing that is rather unusual is the headstock decal. Originally Rickenbacher was spelled with an "h". After the 2nd World War, they spelled Rickenbacker with a "k". |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Dec 2010 7:38 pm
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There was another person involved with those post-war frypans, Richard Choy. Don't know the details, but it was discussed here some years back. I had a Rick catalog that showed one like the pic on here, with the black fret board, so Rickenbacker sold them alright. But some folks thought Choy did all the post-war stuff. Maybe someone can clear this up ?
The decals may have been left-over pre-war? Used on some other old models maybe?
Much of the Rick history is obscure it seems. |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 21 Dec 2010 1:53 pm Oh boy..... now what to do???
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I took the instrument to my very first lesson and as fate would have it one of the tuning keys is bad and won't hold tune. Someone please advise me so I don't screw up a historically significant guitar. I've got to be able to use it however as I don't believe in hanging a good guitar on the wall it needs to be played don't it???
Where in the world will I find replacements???
signed.... kinda desperate. 
On a more cheerful note:
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE  |
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Ray Shakeshaft
From:
Kidderminster, Worcs, UK.
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Posted 21 Dec 2010 2:11 pm
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Stewart MacDonalds have some retro tuners but you would need to study the dimensions (All the details are on the StewMac site)
I got some good copies for my National New Yorker and I never needed to make the slightest adjustment. |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 21 Dec 2010 7:50 pm Rickenbacher A22 quandry
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First off, a big thank you to all who have been so kind as to provide information and insight into this instrument. I'm hoping to find replacement keys (this may be overoptimistic but I hope not) so as to keep the guitar original if at all possible.
I might also make note here that the bakelite back plate to the instrument apparently broke at some point before I acquired it and a small portion is missing. Anybody have any ideas or where another might possibly be obtained or know of anyone who may be able to do superb repair work on bakelite?
Again any and all constructive input is greatly appreciated.
MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!!!!! |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 22 Dec 2010 12:29 am
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I worked on a post-war long scale for Derrick Mau, and made an aluminum 3/16" thick bottom plate for it, just to see if it changed the tone a bit, which I guess it did. Don't remember the details...
Last edited by Bill Creller on 26 Feb 2011 7:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2010 3:19 am
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Here's a before and after picture of Bill's work on my frypan.
Bill, when we tested the frypan with the original bakelite and the metal plate you made, strangely, the frypan sounded better without any cover on. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2010 9:58 am
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It's just not the same without those trap markers!  |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 26 Feb 2011 4:55 am Progress on the A22
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Well I bought some vintage reproduction tuners from Stewart MacDonald that seem to work well. Overall impression of the old RIC:
Sounds incredible
I am pleased.
_________________
Lookin' on the sunny side....
Last edited by Steven Cummings on 14 Nov 2013 5:37 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 26 Feb 2011 1:15 pm Re: Progress on the A22
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| Steven Cummings wrote: |
| I tried to get a knob off ebay for it but 2 knobs went for almost $70.00us. I think the world is off it's axis. |
Then don't get an old Les Paul without original knobs...
$35 apiece is not too shabby for such a scare item, especially for any hopeful completist.
You did well getting a knob that works for your situation, Steven, congrats on gettin'er running. Sounds like quality control was lacking a bit at RickCo mid 50s, but finding a 100% perfect babe has always been difficult, at least this one sings! |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 26 Feb 2011 10:11 pm
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| It's kinda typical that the tuner plate holes are different on old Ricks than the current ones for replacement. |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 27 Feb 2011 4:45 am
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Any idea how many of the 50's models A22 were produced? I've read that the A22 is better for bar slants but the longer scale length sounded better at least as far as some folks are/were concerned.
What are your thoughts on this?
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Lookin' on the sunny side.... |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Feb 2011 12:31 pm
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| Overall that's about right, but they were made inexactly and electronics can vary, so each one can be different. Dick McIntire would try many at the factory, and select just a few, the best. |
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Richard Shatz
From:
St. Louis
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Posted 28 Feb 2011 4:50 pm
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What an interesting discussion.
I have three prewar frypans, all fine instruments, and I have been looking for a postwar model to round out my collection and also to compare and play. I have never actually seen or played one.
The postwar pans are much more scarce and they command some pretty high prices compared to most prewar pans.
I've only seen two or three for sale in the last few years, and they went for more than $2500.
This interesting thread leads me to believe that the postwar pans are somewhat less than quality instruments.
Is that really true? |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 28 Feb 2011 5:04 pm
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Hey Richard-
I don't know that I would really say it wasn't a quality instrument. It sounds great. It's just that I'm pretty much of a perfectionist (yeah it's a problem at times) and the poor workmanship in regards to drilling & tapping the tuning key mounting screws is really sort of a minor thing all in all. I have the tuners on and they won't be going anywhere, the strings are staying in tune. The poor drilling and tapping under the neck is invisible with the fretboard on. The fretboard isn't really flush all the way with the aluminum neck on the high side for the first 4 or 5 frets but again not a big deal(maybe shrinkage perhaps). Plays great/ sounds great.
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Lookin' on the sunny side.... |
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