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Black lap steel guitar with chrome hardware, in a black hard case with dark blue crushed velvet lining, shown from the front.
01 / 22Black lap steel guitar with chrome hardware, in a black hard case with dark blue crushed velvet lining, shown from the front.
Black lap steel guitar with a chrome-plated body, single pickup, and a volume knob, resting in a blue velvet-lined case.
02 / 22Black lap steel guitar with a chrome-plated body, single pickup, and a volume knob, resting in a blue velvet-lined case.
A black lap steel guitar with shiny chrome hardware, including two large control plates, rests in a worn black hard case.
03 / 22A black lap steel guitar with shiny chrome hardware, including two large control plates, rests in a worn black hard case.
The black lap steel guitar is angled from the headstock, revealing its shiny chrome control plates, two black knobs, and output jack.
04 / 22The black lap steel guitar is angled from the headstock, revealing its shiny chrome control plates, two black knobs, and output jack.
A black Bakelite lap steel guitar, angled from the lower right, with a chrome bridge, pickup cover, and control plate.
05 / 22A black Bakelite lap steel guitar, angled from the lower right, with a chrome bridge, pickup cover, and control plate.
A black lap steel guitar with a silver chrome body plate, six strings, and three tuning pegs visible on the headstock.
06 / 22A black lap steel guitar with a silver chrome body plate, six strings, and three tuning pegs visible on the headstock.
Overhead view of a black lap steel with a chrome-plated metal fingerboard and body plates, showing two black control knobs.
07 / 22Overhead view of a black lap steel with a chrome-plated metal fingerboard and body plates, showing two black control knobs.
The black lap steel guitar is angled from the lower left, showing its shiny chrome pickup cover, control plates, and two black knobs.
08 / 22The black lap steel guitar is angled from the lower left, showing its shiny chrome pickup cover, control plates, and two black knobs.
The black lap steel guitar is angled from the lower right, showing its shiny chrome control plates, two black knobs, and six strings.
09 / 22The black lap steel guitar is angled from the lower right, showing its shiny chrome control plates, two black knobs, and six strings.
Close-up of the black body, showing the pickup, strings, and "PAT. NO. 1881229" embossed text, with a worn strap button.
10 / 22Close-up of the black body, showing the pickup, strings, and "PAT. NO. 1881229" embossed text, with a worn strap button.
The black Bakelite headstock, viewed from above, shows six strings, three chrome tuning pegs with hexagonal buttons, and a metal badge.
11 / 22The black Bakelite headstock, viewed from above, shows six strings, three chrome tuning pegs with hexagonal buttons, and a metal badge.
The black lap steel is viewed from the back, showing the six chrome tuners and the smooth, dark bakelite body.
12 / 22The black lap steel is viewed from the back, showing the six chrome tuners and the smooth, dark bakelite body.
The glossy black lap steel's body is viewed from the back, showing six small holes and a chrome strap button on the right.
13 / 22The glossy black lap steel's body is viewed from the back, showing six small holes and a chrome strap button on the right.
The black bakelite lap steel's back is angled from the headstock, showing two chrome screws and a slight sheen on the body.
14 / 22The black bakelite lap steel's back is angled from the headstock, showing two chrome screws and a slight sheen on the body.
The black lap steel's back is angled, showing two chrome screws, a jack, and six small holes at the top edge.
15 / 22The black lap steel's back is angled, showing two chrome screws, a jack, and six small holes at the top edge.
The dark, matte black lap steel's back is angled, showing a chrome strap button, output jack, and six small holes near the tail.
16 / 22The dark, matte black lap steel's back is angled, showing a chrome strap button, output jack, and six small holes near the tail.
The black Bakelite lap steel's neck and headstock are visible, showing three parallel grooves running down the neck and four chrome tuners.
17 / 22The black Bakelite lap steel's neck and headstock are visible, showing three parallel grooves running down the neck and four chrome tuners.
The back of the black headstock, angled down, shows six open-gear tuners with octagonal chrome buttons and some tarnishing.
18 / 22The back of the black headstock, angled down, shows six open-gear tuners with octagonal chrome buttons and some tarnishing.
Full-length, front view of a black lap steel with a dark fretboard, white dot inlays, and shiny chrome hardware showing some wear.
19 / 22Full-length, front view of a black lap steel with a dark fretboard, white dot inlays, and shiny chrome hardware showing some wear.
The back of the glossy black lap steel shows six chrome tuners with some oxidation, and two screws on the body.
20 / 22The back of the glossy black lap steel shows six chrome tuners with some oxidation, and two screws on the body.
Black lap steel guitar with shiny chrome plates and hardware, showing some wear, resting on a gray fuzzy pad with a scale displaying "4.01".
21 / 22Black lap steel guitar with shiny chrome plates and hardware, showing some wear, resting on a gray fuzzy pad with a scale displaying "4.01".
The black headstock, with six strings and tuning pegs, is measured by a silver digital caliper displaying "2.27".
22 / 22The black headstock, with six strings and tuning pegs, is measured by a silver digital caliper displaying "2.27".

Rickenbacker

c. 1937 Rickenbacker Electro Model B Lap Steel Bakelite Chrome w/OHSC

$2,695.00

Unavailable

  • Yearc. 1937
  • ConditionExcellent
  • StoreSherman Oaks
  • CaseOHSC
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Specifications

Instrument

Year
c. 1937
Model
Rickenbacker Electro Model B Lap Steel Bakelite Chrome
Condition
Excellent
Made in
United States
Store
Sherman Oaks

Measurements

Nut width (in)
2.27
Weight
4lbs

Construction

Frets
Bakelite Neck With No Fret Outlines And 'Rickenbacher' Badge Logo

Hardware & electronics

Pickups
Late 30's Specs Featuring Knobs On Opposite Sides, Input Jack Facing Player, Patent Pend Stamp On Pickup Ears, And Patent No. On Body
Tuners
Open Gear Tuners

Case

Case
OHSC

Description

Circa 1937 Rickenbacker Electro Model B Lap Steel Guitar

Surface Shows Light Cosmetic Play Wear, Including Some Minor Marks And Scratches Visible Throughout

All Parts Original

String-Through Black Bakelite Body With Chrome Plates

Single 'Horseshoe' Pickup

Comes As Shown With Original Hard Shell Case 

The Rickenbacker Electro Model B is a classic early lap steel guitar known for its distinctive Art Deco-inspired design and unmistakable vintage character. Featuring Rickenbacker’s legendary horseshoe pickup, the Model B delivers a powerful, clear tone with excellent sustain and the warm, singing quality that made these instruments favorites for Hawaiian, country, blues, and early electric music.

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