Rickenbacker 1937 Silver Hawaiian Lapsteel Guitar

SKU: rickhawaiiansilver1937lapsteelG35

Rickenbacker 1937 Silver Hawaiian Lapsteel Guitar

$1,899.00

Out of stock

This is a nice 1937  Rickenbacker Silver Hawaiian Steel Guitar, one of the company's most striking classics. The entire instrument is nickel-plated metal, with a headstock logo plate reading Rickenbacher "Electro" Los Angeles. It has a standard 1 1/2" prewar horseshoe pickup". This first version has a single volume control on the bass side, with the original arrow-top black Bakelite knob.

The Silver Hawaiian was the next model designed after the Bakelite Model B, coming into production about two years later in 1937. The stamped metal body was less expensive to build, resulting in a retail price 30-40% cheaper. The hollow body gives a more "reverb-y" sound than the earlier solid instruments, with a slightly more acoustic character. The plated metal gives a very flashy appearance; Rickenbacker's original description states "...delights the eye with its flashing beauty", and indeed this is a most striking-looking and fine-sounding prewar steel.

Overall length is 29 3/4 in. (75.6 cm.), 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 2 1/8 in. (54 mm.).