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Electro-Spanish Model B

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Rickenbacher Electro-Spanish Model B
ManufacturerRickenbacker
Construction
Body typeSolid-Body,
Neck jointBolt on
Scale22.5"
Woods
BodyBakelite
NeckBakelite
FretboardBakelite with pearl or paint dot inlay
Hardware
BridgeVib-rol-a patented by Clayton Doc Kauffman
Kauffman Vibrola
Pickup(s)Horseshoe pickup
Horseshoe Pickup
Colors available
black/brown

The Electro-Spanish Model B was the world's first production, solid body (Bakelite) electrified guitar, officially released in 1935 by Rickenbacker, and based on the 1931 "Model B Hawaiian" Lap Steels. Unlike the Square-necked lap steel models, the "Electro-Spanish" model had a round neck and was meant to be played as a conventional guitar. Commercially, it was the most successful musical instrument manufactured by Rickenbacker. Though not entirely solid - it had thick plastic (Bakelite) walls and a detachable Spanish neck. The instrument was created to eliminate the feedback found in conventional electrification of stringed instruments.[1]

The Electro-Spanish Model B set the stage for solid body guitars to develop; including the Fender Esquire in 1950 and the Gibson Les Paul in 1952.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rickenbacker, Rickenbacker. "Early History". Rickenbacker. Staff. Archived from the original on 24 December 2005. Retrieved 18 August 2016.