New member needs help. 1948 Rickenbacher NS...any good?

Lew Collins · Post by **Lew Collins** » 13 Apr 2000 5:20 am

Hi guys! After playing regular guitar since 1964, I'm fortunate to have started taking lap steel and dobro lessons from Sally Van Meter...one of the best guitarists I've ever sat down with and played! Anyway, like many of us, I'm looking for a great lap steel. I have a nice old single pickup'53 Fender Champion I love (sings like my '53 Tele) but I'm looking for something with a little richer warmer tone too. I love David Lindley's tone on those old Jackson Brown records...Bakelite Rickenbacher I've learned. That's the tone I'm after too! Any suggestions? I have a nice Fender Super Reverb amp and some other old Fender amps I'd work into a trade for a great lap steel.
I've been offered a '48 Rickenbacher NS, but I don't know what I'm getting into! Thanks, Lew

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 13 Apr 2000 12:13 pm

The Rickenbacher NS (New Style) lap steel has a body made of stamped sheet metal. Sometimes you'll find these filled with old newspapers. While it may be a fine sounding instrument, it will not have the same sound as a Bakelite Rickenbacker Model B lap steel.

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