Rickenbacker Lap Steel Serial Numbers

Rickenbacker did not keep serial to date records until after the second world war.

Rickenbacker lap steel serial numbers.

In the periods before 1998 it was made a lot more difficult. I did nothing to disabuse a retailer of the tag s proclamation that this is a 1950s rickenbacker bakelite but we know better don t we. With the first instruments it is virtually impossible to find the exact year of construction by using the serial number. As with many other guitar brands the dating method of rickenbacker are much more common nowadays.

Dating rickenbacker guitars by reference of serial numbers. I hope this adds to the knowledge and theories surrounding the murky world of pre war serial numbers. Rickenbacker serial numbers have been issued in a number of formats. There is some bakelite repair on the back of the headstock at the 1st tuning gear.

1954 1960 serial numbers. Serial number as you can see is b 8. Generally with this system the first digits before the letter indicate the model series such as 6 for 600 model guitar. Old adolf rickenbacker was so happy that on that very day all guitars had the patent number clearly.

Used 1951 rickenbacker model b 8 string lap steel guitar serial number 2089171. There are various nicks and marks about the body. To the right and below you will find some images that will hopefully help you to locate the complete serial number on your instrument. This lap steel is in very good condition.

Please be aware that some instruments manufactured in the late 50s cannot be interpreted by this decoder. Dating rickenbacker lap steels. The following information is courtesy carl dixon as posted on the steel guitar forum.