Jack Klein
From:
Alpena, MI, USA
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Posted 8 Aug 2004 1:22 pm |
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can someone give me some info on a 7-string
frypan, how many made, approx. value, etc.
thanks Jack |
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Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 9 Aug 2004 2:07 am
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No one knows Rick's exact production totals in the early years ('30s in this case) but anything with more than six strings is rare, especially in a frying pan. (Richard Smith would probably know more than anyone.)
Long-scale fp's (25") are much rarer and generally more sought-after than the 22-1/2" versions but any Rick frying pan of any scale, any age, of any string configuration qualifies as a capital-G Grail.
A high-profile lap-steel playing star more familiar in the rock than country arena asked me to help find him some frying pans a few years back (six-strings only are his preference). By some intensive emailing, ad-scouring and calling, we turned up a handful. Sums ranging from low four figures to mid 2000s were paid as I recall, but we balked at one owned by an unnamed proprietor (whose locale translates as "Saint Joseph," but is not in Missouri) standing firm on $5000. Reason: my friend had the money, wanted the guitar, but did not want to single-handedly raise the bar (as it were) on the market prices of these instruments for the players and collectors seeking one later.
I've seen various frying pans go well into the 2000s on eBay. Add a few hundred for the the seventh string, a few more for a pre-war (1-1/2" wide) pickup and a lot more if it's long-scale. This is all assuming reasonable originality, vg or better condition and optimum exposure of the instrument's availability as well as motivated buyer(s).
These are just my observations as an amateur player, sometimes-writer, part-time retail employee and the first in line to post a reply. Steel and vintage dealers may confirm, debate or deny the foregoing as they see fit.
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