A pair of lap steels (RKR Rod King Fryingpan, Rick Ace)

[razorbill]

Hello!

I recently put out a WTB for a lap steel and thought I'd post what I came across. I really appreciate the replies I got on the forum and am very much looking forward to the lap steel Pete1951 is finishing up for me! 

There was a vague "very old lap steels for sale" listing from four years ago on Preloved that I messaged out of curiosity. The person selling is an older gentleman based in NE Lincolnshire who doesn't use a computer (his handyman made the listing). We talked on the phone briefly and he said he had a Rickenbacker, Harmony, and a UK made frying pan. I made the trip down on a whim on Friday not fully sure what to expect. 

12 hours later I came home with two of them! 



RKR Rod King 7-string Frying Pan 

I noticed there isn't much info on this lap steel out there which was my motivation for making this post. I've never seen the real deal, but the build quality of this repro is excellent. This one is 04 of 15 (or 16?), all made in 1991. I'm not sure if the pickup is a real horseshoe or a standard single coil under a decorative cover, but it sounds great.




Rickenbacker "ACE"

A bakelite student model made from 1949-1953 the seller bought during a trip in the US decades ago. The original case is worse for wear, but a neat addition. The one issue I'm having with this guitar is it has a hum unless you touch the instrument cable (I read that has something to do with the felt/sheet metal back plate). If you're making contact with that/the strings it is dead quiet though 



Also a bonus photo of a Harmony H6. I didn't buy this one, but thought I'd post a photo as it seems to be in better shape than examples online 




Apologies if these pictures are massive, I tried to scale them down without any luck

[bonzo]

Well done razorbill! A good result all the way around 👏

[Michael Messer]

I like the RKR, it is beautiful and rare. I think I may have seen one many years ago, but I can't remember it well enough to be sure.

It maybe could do with some vintage tortoiseshell or glass volume & tone knobs. Those generic ones don't really do it justice.

I bet it sounds great.

Shine On
Michael

[razorbill]

Jan 21, 2024 20:06:36 GMT Michael Messer said:

I like the RKR, it is beautiful and rare. I think I may have seen one many years ago, but I can't remember it well enough to be sure.

It maybe could do with some vintage tortoiseshell or glass volume & tone knobs. Those generic ones don't really do it justice.

I bet it sounds great.

Shine On
Michael

I agree with you on the knobs, I'll have a look for a nice replacement. 


It does sound great. I will definitely post a sound demo when I get to grips with playing and get a fresh set of strings on 

[Pickers Ditch]

Lovely, well looked after guitars you lucky man.
I do like that Harmony in that colour scheme and condition - please don't tell me that's for sale.

[razorbill]

Jan 22, 2024 9:17:03 GMT Pickers Ditch said:

Lovely, well looked after guitars you lucky man.
I do like that Harmony in that colour scheme and condition - please don't tell me that's for sale.

Fortunately for you (or unfortunately!), it’s still for sale. There is the price on it, but I don’t think that is set in stone.

I was unsure about a fair price for the ACE at the time (I was expecting the more common B6 when he said he had a Rick), so I did some research at his house/showed him some recent sales online and he was happy to bring the price down within the range they’ve gone for.

I did have a play of it and it sounds pretty good/everything is working, incredibly light as well (especially compared to the frying pan!). I think these have a Gibson P13 PU

I could PM you his contact number if you’re interested

[Pickers Ditch]

Thank you, but... - Mrs. PD has said NO!

I'll work on her.