Mid 1940s Rickenbacker B-6 Bakelite Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar B6 "Panda" Lapsteel

Rickenbacker Bakelite B-6 "Panda" steels were the professional standard of their day. They are still generally considered by many players the finest-sounding lap steel ever made. Pros such as Sol Hoopii, David Lindley, Jerry Byrd, and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe have helped give these Bakelite Rickenbacker B series steels their iconic reputation! 

Overall length: 29 3/4 in
Lower Bout: (75.6 cm.), 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.)
Body Depth: 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.)
Scale length: 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.)
Nut Width: 2 1/4 in. (57 mm.)

This lovely example is a mid 1940s model with a unique set of features. It sports the Rickenbacher T style logo on the headstock. Around this time, Rickenbacker changed spellings from the original Rickenbacher, and this would have been one of the last before that change. It also features a patented tailpiece for easy string swapping. 

Overall, this example is in lovely shape and remains in original condition, with just a few light marks here and there. One tuner button shows some shrinkage but is still fully functional. We left it alone and included a replacement with the sale, as shown. The original pots are fully functional, albeit a bit on the stiff side. It comes with a hard case. The 1 1/4 Horseshoe pickup is strong and sounds wonderful. It is truly a tone machine!

Very Good Plus (VG+) to Excellent (E) Condition