Rickenbacher Electro Model B Electric Spanish Guitar Black, 1936

The Rickenbacher Electro Model B ES was not the first electric guitar, as it’s based on a Hawaiian version, but it is one of the very first Electric Spanish guitars produced for retail sale. Introduced in 1935, the Model B Electic Spanish is based on the Model B Lap or Hawaiian model introduced in 1931.

At the time the Rickenbacher Electro Model B was launched, the only other Electric Spanish model in production was also a Rickenbacher product – the 1935 Ken Roberts model. These models used Rickenbacher’s distinctive Horse-Shoe pickup. That pickup was discontinued long ago, but it still has visual references on many Rickenbacker basses.

The Rickenbacher Electro Model B started its life in 1931 as a lap steel or Hawaiian model, reflecting the tastes of the time. However, this time was also the early years of the Great Depression, and sales were slow. To widen the appeal, a new fretted neck was fitted – these models used a bolt-on design – and the Electric Spanish solidbody was born. Like the earlier Model B Hawaiian, Bakelite was used for the body and neck. The frets are actually molded as part of the neck – an approach used later by the mid-1980’s Scottish-made Bond guitars, which used carbon fiber.

This Rickenbacher Electro Model B Electro Spanish guitar is in good, complete and original condition with the original hard shell case. Fret wear is light to moderate. It plays well, and is a wonderful, great sounding piece of musical history.