Rickenbacker Electric Mandolin

[jaycat]

Among other stuff, here:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/4625131724.html

Anyone seen one of these before? It looks like a bumblebee!

NFI on my part.

[Michael Richmond]

That is still a current Rickenbacker model: http://www.rickenbacker.com/model.asp?model=5002V58

[mando.player]

From the Elderly Archives:
http://www.elderly.com/new_instrumen...5002V58-JG.htm

And a trade show babe from the 50's hanging on to one:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/gallery_...lery_year=1950

[Timbofood]

So, Jaycat dare I say it?

"Was you ever bit by a dead bee?"

[jaycat]

And a trade show babe from the 50's hanging on to one:
http://www.rickenbacker.com/gallery_...lery_year=1950

Cool photo, thanks!

[jaycat]

So, Jaycat dare I say it?

"Was you ever bit by a dead bee?"

"I've no memory of ever being bit by any kind of bee."

[mrmando]

He wants $1800 for it. I'll pass.

[barney 59]

What is the current price of a new one? Are the new ones still US made? and the one that Elderly had was for $1600 + list price. I don't know about you guys but I've always been able to walk away with paying 20% (or more) less than list on any new instrument. We don't know if the one on CL is vintage or not but I somehow doubt it.

[mrmando]

No, it's not vintage. There have been two or three batches of these since they were brought back in 1997 or so. Not currently in production, but not a lot of demand for them either. I've had a couple and don't find them very easy to play, and certainly didn't sell either of them for $1800.

[Jeff Mando]

His ad also pictures the soundhole of a Gibson mandolin, but his ad doesn't mention it being for sale. He also pictures his puppy, so you know he is a good guy....

[barney 59]

I thought maybe he's selling the puppy,maybe to feed hungry pit bulls----

[Chief]

I've got one of those Ricks- that I got in trade with Mr. Mando himself. Not a black one (which I think is way cool), but the natural one. I really like it, and sorry Martin, find it fun and easy to play. It has that twangy Birds like tone, especially when played with a little reverb. From what I read, the original one back in the 60's was made for Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, who also played a Rick 12 string guitar. It always gets noticed when I play a gig with it- with the usual comment- "I didn't know Rickenbacker made an electric mandolin". Or of course the usual, "what the heck is that?" $1800 seems a bit steep, but like Martin said, they don't make them anymore.

[Chief]

Just read on Rickenbackers site that the first one was made in 1958, so I guess that story about the first one being made for Roger McGuinn is not true. Perhaps they made a custom model for him. I'm not sure where I heard the McGuinn/Rickenbacker connection.

[mrmando]

I've got one of those Ricks- that I got in trade with Mr. Mando himself. Not a black one (which I think is way cool), but the natural one. I really like it, and sorry Martin, find it fun and easy to play.

Glad to hear that! I remember thinking the neck wasn't that comfortable for me, but that's very much a personal matter. One of the original 12 in 1958 did go to the Byrds, and in fact that very instrument has been offered on eBay a few times of late, in the $3-4K range if memory serves. But I don't think it was the first one.