Going back to the early 1930s and the famous "frying pan" models, Rickenbacker was one of the first manufacturers of electric guitars. In the early days, they made as many Hawaiian guitars as Spanish guitars, and their original "Horseshoe" pickup design remains one of the most sought-after pickups for Lap Steel.
This Rickenbacker model SW-6 was made in 1957, and it is about as nice of a 1950s lap steel as you're likely to find. It was brought to us by the original owner, whose parents enrolled him in steel guitar lessons back in 1958. Ultimately, he never took to the steel guitar, so this Rickenbacker has spent most of its life in the case. The original silver case is included, as is an old red coiled cable. There are some minor scuffs and marks of play, but this 1957 SW still features all of its original parts and components. And when you plug it in, it sounds fantastic.
The SW-6 model was only offered from 1956 to 1962, and it was conceived as a simple, straightforward steel with a horseshoe pickup, a volume control, and a tone knob. Its scale measures 22.5", and wood body is made from a solid piece of Ash that isn't any bigger than it needs to be. All of the style is straight out of the 1950s, and the ash tray dish for the tuning machines looks like something you'd find in your grandmother's kitchen.
This 1957 Rickenbacker SW-6 produces beautiful, articulate tone that can bite, swell, and wail, but it also sweetens up with the volume/tone controls. Like a lot of old Rickenbacker gear, it has an endless supply of authentic 1950s charm. But it's also a fantastic steel that—even by today's standards—would be usable and reliable. We have it tuned in D with .013 - .056 nickel-wound strings. It's also really nice for country-western in C6. If you're looking for a hard-working lap steel, look no further!