{"product_id":"rickenbacher-1937-model-59-electro-lap-steel-w-orig-case-excellent","title":"Rickenbacher 1937 Model 59 Electro Lap Steel Ivory Excellent","description":"\u003cp\u003eNo sales tax for US customers outside California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eAdolph 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 6lbs \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: Ivory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Material: Stamped, one-piece sheet metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Condition: excellent\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Date: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Markings: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Binding: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Binding Condition: n\/a\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Finish Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Finish Condition: very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLower Bout: 9-1\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaist: 5-1\/2\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpper Bout: 7-1\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody Depth\/Thickness: 1-7\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickguard Color: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickguard Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickguard Condition: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickguard Screws Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale Length: 22.5\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Finish Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck Markings: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard Material: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard Condition: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFretboard Repairs: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut Material: bakelite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNut Width: 2-1\/8\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Brand: Rickenbacher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaddle Material: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaddles Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge And Screws Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eString Spacing At Bridge: \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBridge Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Brand And Model: ?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuners Original?: yes none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChanges To Headstock For Tuners?:\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Condition: very good, one broken button \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Markings: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuner Screws Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverall Length: 29-1\/2\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocumentation: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Brand: Rickenbacher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Condition: good, taped edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase Smells?: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Brand: Fixed-height, horseshoe single coil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Count: 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Reading: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Bobbin Color: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Markings: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Screws Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Cover Color: black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickup Cavity Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob Color: black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob Count: 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnobs Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl Cavity Cover Material: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl Cavity Cover Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControl Cavity Condition: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Count: 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Manufacturer Code: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Date Code: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotentiometer Condition: excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolders Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWiring Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch Brand: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch Condition: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch Tip Color: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch Tip Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput Jack Plate Color: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput Jack Plate Condition: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput Jack Plate Color?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScrews Original?: n\/a\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput Jack Original?: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocumentation: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmells?: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccessories Included: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipping policy:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipments 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. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rickenbacker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56766767595686,"sku":"G-2334","price":699.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0455\/7527\/4662\/files\/rickenbacher-1937-model-59-electro-lap-steel-ivory-excellent-1112845.jpg?v=1783803195","url":"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/products\/rickenbacher-1937-model-59-electro-lap-steel-w-orig-case-excellent","provider":"Mahar's Vintage Guitars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}