GEAR SEARCH GALLERY
RICKENBACKER
1935
Electro Spanish
In an historical sense, the Rickenbacker Electro
Spanish is certainly one of the most interesting models, as it was the first commercially
produced, American-made electric guitar with
a standard or rounded neck. The guitar was
introduced in 1935 at the same time as its
more famous sibling, the Model B bakelite
Electro Hawaiian. The headstock plate reads
“Rickenbacher,” the non-Anglicized form of the
name the company began using in 1934 but had
abandoned by the 1937 catalog.
Although the company did produce some wood-bodied electrics around the same time, the Electro
Spanish was the only standard style instrument
being made with a completely solid Bakelite body.
Unfortunately, they were too far ahead of their
time, and the model only lasted a few short years.
During that short time the model offered an even
more radical motorized vibrato system designed
by Clayton Orr “Doc” Kauffman, who would a
few years later team up with Leo Fender. Oddly
enough, Fender’s Broadcaster shared some of the
design elements that were found on the Electro
Spanish, namely the bolt-on neck design, and
string-through body.
From the 1936 Rickenbacker Catalog: “The
Spanish Electro Guitar is small in size and is
exceedingly easy to finger and hold. The finger
board has fourteen frets to the body, and owing
to the small-size body, the player may easily play
up to the twenty-fourth fret. This instrument is
manufactured from material which will not deteriorate and with ordinary care should be practically
new even after years of daily use.”
Thanks to Buffalo Brothers for listing this rare
jewel on Gear Search. Whether you’re looking for
an old favorite or something unique, chances are
it’s on Gear Search. There are more than 47,000
pieces of gear listed, including some of the hard-est-to-get gear in the world.
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dream instrument!
Photo by Anthony Donez/Donez Photo
Click here to see this
listing on Gear Search
186 PREMIER GUITAR SEPTEMBER 2009
