1938 Epiphone Electar Model M
March 22, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
The Model M is a stylish icon of art deco steel design, with an anodized aluminum top bearing a geometric pattern etched into the metal.
Its most distinctive feature is the crinkle black painted horsehoe magnet pickup. It looks just like a Rickenbacher pickup!
Epiphone probably did not buy these pickups from Rickenbacher but instead developed their own design based on the horseshoe magnet.
Rickenbacher sued Epiphone for producing this design without paying patent royalties. The early years of the electric guitar market is filled with secrecy, subterfuge, and legal challenges!
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