Electro-Spanish Model B

{{Short description|1935 electric guitar by Rickenbacker}}

{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}

{{Infobox guitar model

| title = Rickenbacher Electro-Spanish Model B

| manufacturer = Rickenbacker

| scale = 22.5"

| bodytype = Solid-Body,

| necktype = Bolt on

| woodbody = Bakelite

| woodneck = Bakelite

| woodfingerboard= Bakelite with pearl or paint dot inlay

| bridge = Vib-rol-a patented by Clayton Doc Kauffman

File:Vib-Rola rear.jpg

| pickups = Horseshoe pickup

File:RickenbackerFryingpanPatentDiagram.png

| colors = black/brown

}}

The Electro-Spanish Model B was the world's first production, solid body (Bakelite) electrified guitar, officially released in 1935 by Rickenbacker, and based on the 1931 "Model B Hawaiian" Lap Steels. Unlike the Square-necked lap steel models, the "Electro-Spanish" model had a round neck and was meant to be played as a conventional guitar. Commercially, it was the most successful musical instrument manufactured by Rickenbacker. Though not entirely solid - it had thick plastic (Bakelite) walls and a detachable Spanish neck. The instrument was created to eliminate the feedback found in conventional electrification of stringed instruments.{{cite web|last1=Rickenbacker|first1=Rickenbacker|title=Early History|url=http://www.rickenbacker.com/history_early.asp|website=Rickenbacker|publisher=Staff|accessdate=18 August 2016|archive-date=24 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051224083246/http://www.rickenbacker.com/history_early.asp|url-status=dead}}

The Electro-Spanish Model B set the stage for solid body guitars to develop; including the Fender Esquire in 1950 and the Gibson Les Paul in 1952.

References