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Author Topic:   Rickenbacker "Ace" lap steel
Rich Shipley
New Member

From: Sacramento

posted 22 July 2000 10:34 PM     profile   send email     edit
I have a Rickenbacker "Ace" lap steel that I'm trying to figure out what it might be worth. Probably will sell it, but note sure yet. Depends on what it's worth.

If any of you know about this guitar, would you mind taking a look at a page with pics and give me any info you can?
http://www.planetmango.com/lapsteel/

Thanks,

Rich
rich@planetmango.com

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J D Sauser
Member

From: E-03700-DENIA (Costa Blanca), Spain

posted 23 July 2000 07:06 AM     profile   send email     edit
As I understand the ACE was a student model.
A couple of months ago there was one on e-bay and I don't remember if it got any bids at all but I can remember that it went nowhere.
However yours seeem to be in much better condition.

From the little I believe to know:

The "ACADEMY" was introduced in 1946/discontinued 1948:
Bakelite body in brown "mahogany" or maroon or blue or white finish, horseshoe pickup, 2 knobs, "Academy" on keyhead.

In 1949 the "ACE" was introduced and discontinued in 1953:
"Ace" on keyhead.

This would put yours between 1949 and 1953.
I can't make any statement on the value, but I would guess that its worth as much as any little 6-string MOTS...

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.... J-D.

Brad Bechtel
Moderator

From: San Francisco, CA

posted 23 July 2000 03:49 PM     profile   send email     edit
As J.D. said, the Rickenbacker Ace was their student model guitar. I haven't played one before, so I can't comment on the tone. They appear to be made of Bakelite, unlike the later hollow bodied instruments of sheet metal.

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Brad's Page of Steel:
www.well.com/~wellvis/steel.html
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Ian McLatchie
Member

From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

posted 23 July 2000 04:09 PM     profile   send email     edit
Brad: With the non-horseshoe pickup, the Ace is a reasonable sounding instrument, but nothing spectacular, by any means. The Academy (essentially the same instrument, but with horseshoe) is an amazing guitar, with a very bright, "springy" sound. In a way, I think the thinner body makes it even better sounding than the post-war Model B's.
Both the Ace and Academy are also quite beautiful, especially the bright red version.
I didn't see the eBay auction mentioned above, but usually I know these instruments bring prices considerably above the normal MOTS range.

[This message was edited by Ian McLatchie on 23 July 2000 at 04:11 PM.]

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