Lap Steels · Model B, BD, Panda And Related Steels
Rickenbacker Bakelite And Other Lap SteelsValue Guide
Joe’s 2026 value chart gives estimated market ranges in US dollars, organized by Rickenbacker model, production years and configuration. Check the condition and originality details before applying a range to your instrument.
Joe’s Vintage Guitars · October 2026
Rickenbacker Bakelite And Other Lap Steels Value Chart
These are Joe’s estimated current market values in US dollars for original instruments in excellent condition, with the original case where applicable. Choose the row that matches the model, production years and configuration. A refinished, modified or repaired instrument needs a separate condition adjustment.
| Model | Years | Configuration | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rickenbacker Model BBakelite, six or eight strings | 1935 to 1955 | Bakelite, six or eight strings | $2,200 to $3,100 |
| Rickenbacker Model BDDeluxe Bakelite, six strings | 1949 to 1960 | Deluxe Bakelite, six strings | $850 to $1,050 |
| Rickenbacker AcademyBakelite student model | 1946 to 1947 | Bakelite student model | $500 to $650 |
| Rickenbacker AceBakelite student model | 1948 to 1953 | Bakelite student model | $500 to $650 |
| Rickenbacker Silver HawaiianChrome-plated sheet-steel body | 1937 to 1943 | Chrome-plated sheet-steel body | $1,350 to $2,250 |
| Rickenbacker Model GChrome-plated steel body | 1948 to 1957 | Chrome-plated steel body | $750 to $1,100 |
| Rickenbacker S / NSSheet-steel body | 1946 to 1949 | Sheet-steel body | $700 to $900 |
| Rickenbacker Model 59Sheet-steel body, colored finish | 1937 to 1943 | Sheet-steel body, colored finish | $600 to $750 |
| Rickenbacker Model 100Wood body, six strings | 1956 to 1970 | Wood body, six strings | $650 to $850 |
Ranges are estimates of instrument market value, not purchase offers or insurance replacement values. Originality, playability, repairs and the details of the sale affect the final amount. Unlisted years and unusual variants need an individual appraisal. Later production and reissues appear only in rows that identify them.
Get A Value Estimate For Your RickenbackerAbout These PhotosThe photos show our cast-aluminum A-22, not a Bakelite Model B. They illustrate early horseshoe-pickup and inspection details. They do not show Model B construction. Click a detail photograph to enlarge it.
Identify Before You Compare
Models And Variants
- Model B / B6 / B7
- Bakelite family; distinguish string count and construction details.
- BD And Panda Examples
- Later versions and collector nicknames require inspection of the actual instrument.
- Silver Hawaiian And Metal Models
- Metal-bodied designs have different construction and condition concerns.
- Model 100 / 102 / J6
- Other steel models should be identified separately from Bakelite instruments.
- Console And Double-Neck Steels
- Count necks, strings and original stand or leg hardware; do not price as a single lap steel.
Match Material, Model And Production Era
A prewar Bakelite Model B, a later Panda, a wood-bodied student steel and a double-neck console belong in different comparison groups. Match string count and original pickup condition as well as appearance. A case or amplifier should be identified separately before assigning value to a package.
The chart separates the Model B and BD from student models and steel- or wood-bodied instruments. The broad Model B row covers the stated production period; it does not assign a separate premium to every plate color or nickname. Cracks, missing parts and converted string counts need individual review.
Give Cracks And Missing Parts Full Weight
A crack in Bakelite is different from a finish scratch, and an incomplete pickup assembly is different from a worn knob. Obtain a specialist repair assessment before assuming either can be restored cheaply. Some replacement work can make the steel usable while leaving a lasting collector-value difference.
Original decorative plates, tuners and cases can matter, but their condition should be described accurately. Replaced tuner buttons are not the same as a fully changed tuner set with additional holes. Keep old parts with the instrument and photograph them separately.
Choose A Sale Description That Can Be Verified
Include material, string count, visible marks, control functions, repairs and missing pieces. Send photographs of both sides, the pickup, neck joint, bridge, tuners and any cracks. If the exact year is uncertain, state the supported era instead.
For an uncommon console, motorized model or unusually early steel, seek an individual appraisal. The chart only covers the configurations and years shown. Clear documentation and an accurate condition description give both buyer and seller a better basis for discussing price.
From Market Value To An Offer
Start with the chart row for the correct model, years and configuration. The ranges describe estimated market value for excellent, original instruments. A direct purchase offer also accounts for condition, needed work and the time involved in preparing the instrument for its next owner.
- Confirm the model and year. Use the matching authentication guide and document the serial, construction and original configuration. Do not apply a rare-variant range before confirming that identity.
- Account for known work. Get a specific repair estimate. Do not apply a universal percentage for every refinish, neck repair or changed pickup. See the changes that affect vintage guitar value.
- Estimate your net proceeds. For a private sale, subtract actual selling fees, shipping, insurance and agreed repairs from the expected selling price. A hypothetical $4,000 sale with $400 in total costs would net $3,600; those figures illustrate arithmetic, not a fee schedule or this model’s value.
- Compare the complete offer. Include who handles packing, payment, shipping and any repairs. A direct purchase offer should be assessed on its terms and certainty as well as the dollar amount.
Use the matching authentication guide before assigning a premium for originality or an unusual version.
Photos For An Appraisal
Take unfiltered photographs in even light. Include the full front and back, both headstock faces, the entire serial or other markings, pickups, controls, bridge, neck joint and any damage. Add the measurements or model-specific views described above. Photograph the case, paperwork and removed parts separately.
You do not need to take the instrument apart for an initial review. If a detail cannot be seen, say so. A clear statement of known repairs and unknown history is more useful than an unsupported claim of complete originality.
Have A Rickenbacker To Identify Or Sell?
Send Joe your photos and any known history. We can help identify the instrument, discuss its condition and make an offer if you are ready to sell.
Related Rickenbacker Guides
Photo Credits And Scope
Photographs are from Joe’s Vintage Guitars’ instrument archive. Captions identify the actual instrument shown, including related-model and later-production comparisons. Full frames and existing watermarks are retained. A photograph of another model is not evidence of the correct construction for yours.