Electro-Spanish Model B

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Electro-Spanish Model B" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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.^[1]

Key Information

Rickenbacher Electro-Spanish Model B
Manufacturer	Rickenbacker
Construction
Body type	Solid-Body,
Neck joint	Bolt on
Scale	22.5"
Woods
Body	Bakelite
Neck	Bakelite
Fretboard	Bakelite with pearl or paint dot inlay
Hardware
Bridge	Vib-rol-a patented by Clayton Doc Kauffman
Pickup(s)	Horseshoe pickup
Colors available
black/brown
Show more

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.