Well, it IS a Rick and it IS bakelite, however out of the bakelite guitars, it is the least appreciated as it has the smaller horse shoe pick-up and the stings are not attached through the body but through that chrome plated tail plate.
It is said that it does not have THE sound the early Rickenbachers have become so famous for.
Based on all the above and it's "T" shaped logo, I would say that it could have been built between 1946 to 1948.
LAter the logo changed and again later "BD models came out again with the better string through the body attach.
This is still a quite young auction and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go above the value I would seem recommendable to pay for this particular instrument. I won't bid on it.
... J-D.
Basil...Rick bakelites are probably more of a rarity in the UK than over here, therefore I would imagine you'd have no problem selling it off over there if you found you didn't care for it. I'd suggest you buy it if the price doesn't sky-rocket. Personally, I'd prefer it to be an 8 string instead of 6. As far as tone is concerned, I am sure you won't be disappointed...bakelites are nice guitars.
