Vintage 1942-1945 Rickenbacker Electro Panda B7 Lap Steel With Case
SKU 80RIC018
by Rickenbacker
Sold out
Original price
$ 2,299.99
-
Original price
$ 2,299.99
Original price
$ 2,299.99
$ 2,299.99
-
$ 2,299.99
Current price
$ 2,299.99
This ultra-clean and ultra-rare Rickenbacher Panda is in ridiculous shape for its age, and sounds just as good as it looks. Perfect for everything from clean Hawaiian music to a wailing David Lindley solo, it's a serious instrument for serious player. If you've been looking for one of these, you know they're extremely rare and don't show up too often-- and certainly not in this great shape.
The Rickenbacher Electro ‘Panda’ model was built from 1935 to 1955 and demonstrated a number of changes over the years including a change in the company name to Rickenbacker. The Rickenbacher company was founded in Los Angeles during 1931 by Adolph Rickenbacher. It was sparked by his work from 1927 producing metal parts and bodies for John Dopyera and George Beauchamp’s new company, National String Instrument Corporation. Richenbacher holds a strong claim to having marketed the first successful solid body electric guitar during 1932, the ‘Frying Pan’ lap steel. This model was developed by George Beauchamp, Paul Barth, and Rickenbacher. For these instruments, they formed a new company named ‘RoPatIn’, which changed fairly quickly to ‘Electro String Instrument Company’. Rickenbacher also marketed one of the first production ‘Spanish’ style acoustic guitars, the 1935 “Ken Roberts” model.
Here we’re looking at a Rickenbacher Electro B7 Panda bakelite lap steel, dating to the early to mid 40's. There were three periods of production for these models, prewar, wartime, and postwar. However, there is some overlap in these periods as parts were used up. We aren't sure of the exact year, but did peg this to the 1942 - 1945 range.
We've vetted and tested the instrument in our shop, and it's been setup to play perfectly by our techs. The electronics have been checked and cleaned up here. For anyone wanting a great lap steel to play live with (or at home, or in the studio), this is a great find. It provides a warm tone perfect for a variety of styles. With its remarkable build quality, it is an optimal instrument for experienced players.
This beautiful and rare vintage Rickenbacker Electro Panda B7 Lap Steel comes with a case (a rather unique case at that!). and is in excellent condition given its age. We consider it once of the best examples of a B7 that we've come across. It's made it 80 years and is poised to go for at least another 80. We look forward to finding it a new home in your home.