1939 Rickenbacher Model 59 in Crinkled Black

March 4, 2021 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

For the beginning student Rickenbacher introduced the Model 59, stamped from sheet metal. This model was produced from 1937 until 1945 and proved to be quite popular. It was marketed as a step up model to allow students to "step up" to more expensive models.

The guitar is finished in a rare, textured crinkled Black paint finish. It was also available in a crinkled Ivory or Gray Sunburst color. The horseshoe magnet pickup was also painted crinkled black and was non adjustable.

To further enhance the tone of this steel guitar, many players stuffed the hollow body with newspapers. Collectors like to open up this steel guitar to read the pre-war news headlines.