Rickenbacher 1937 Model 59 Electro Lap Steel Ivory Excellent

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

Adolph Rickenbacher and George Beauchamp produced the first commercially viable electric guitar in Los Angeles in 1931 — the cast aluminum "Frying Pan" lap steel that is universally recognized as the instrument that launched the electric guitar era. By 1937 the company had refined its approach and introduced the Model 59, a stamped sheet metal body lap steel that represented Rickenbacher's entry-level offering while still carrying the horseshoe pickup design that defined the company's tonal character. This is a first-year example — and the single volume knob is the definitive dating detail that confirms it. In 1938 Rickenbacher added a tone control to the opposite side; in 1939 they moved both controls together on the audience side. One knob means 1937, the first year of production.

The stamped, one-piece sheet metal body is the construction method that defines the Model 59's character — hollow metal construction that produces what players consistently describe as a beautiful, whiny, singing voice with the sustain and tonal complexity that a hollow resonating body contributes to the amplified signal. The lace-like textured enamel finish in ivory is original and in very good condition. The non-adjustable 1-1/2" horseshoe pickup with its black textured cover is original and correct for this production year — the fixed-height design that Rickenbacher used before adding adjustability in 1939. Original Bakelite nut, original pot, original wiring and solder joints, original output jack. One honest note: one tuner button is broken — noted and visible in the photos, does not affect tuning function. 22.5" scale, 2-1/8" nut width, all original hardware throughout.

The original Rickenbacher hardshell case is included in good condition with taped edges — a survival that is itself increasingly rare for instruments of this age, and a meaningful piece of the instrument's completeness and provenance.

SPECS:

• Weight: 6lbs 
• Color: Ivory
• Body Material: Stamped, one-piece sheet metal
• Body Condition: excellent
  
• Body Date: n/a
• Body Markings: n/a
• Body Repairs: none
• Body Binding: none
• Body Binding Condition: n/a
  
• Body Finish Original?: yes
• Body Finish Condition: very good
• Lower Bout: 9-1/4"
• Waist: 5-1/2"
• Upper Bout: 7-1/8"
• Body Depth/Thickness: 1-7/8"
• Pickguard Color: n/a
• Pickguard Original?: n/a
• Pickguard Condition: n/a
• Pickguard Screws Original?: n/a
• Scale Length: 22.5"
• Neck Condition: excellent
• Neck Repairs: none
• Neck Finish Original?: yes
• Neck Markings: none
• Fretboard Material: n/a
• Fretboard Condition: n/a
• Fretboard Repairs: n/a
• Nut Material: bakelite
• Nut Repairs: none
• Nut Width: 2-1/8"
• Bridge Brand: Rickenbacher
• Bridge Original?: yes
• Saddle Material: n/a
• Saddles Original?: n/a
• Bridge And Screws Original?: yes
• String Spacing At Bridge: 
• Bridge Condition: excellent
• Tuner Brand And Model: ?
• Tuners Original?: yes none
• Changes To Headstock For Tuners?:
• Tuner Condition: very good, one broken button 
• Tuner Markings: none
• Tuner Screws Original?: yes
• Overall Length: 29-1/2"
• Documentation: none
• Case Brand: Rickenbacher
• Case Original?: yes
• Case Condition: good, taped edges
• Case Smells?: none
• Pickup Brand: Fixed-height, horseshoe single coil
• Pickup Count: 1
• Pickup Reading: n/a
• Pickup Original?: yes
• Pickup Bobbin Color: n/a
• Pickup Markings: none
• Pickup Condition: excellent
• Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Pickup Cover Color: black
• Pickup Cavity Condition: excellent
• Knob Color: black
• Knob Count: 1
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Knob Condition: excellent
• Control Cavity Cover Material: n/a
• Control Cavity Cover Original?: n/a
• Control Cavity Condition: n/a
• Potentiometer Count: 1
• Potentiometer Manufacturer Code: n/a
• Potentiometer Date Code: n/a
• Potentiometer Original?: yes
• Potentiometer Condition: excellent
• Solders Original?: yes
• Wiring Original?: yes
• Switch Brand: n/a
• Switch Condition: n/a
• Switch Original?: n/a
• Switch Tip Color: n/a
• Switch Tip Original?: n/a
• Output Jack Plate Color: n/a
• Output Jack Plate Condition: n/a
• Output Jack Plate Color?: n/a
• Screws Original?: n/a
• Output Jack Original?: yes
• Documentation: none
• Smells?: none
• Accessories Included: none

Shipping policy:

Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.