A-22 Model, "Frying Pan", Electro Hawaiian Guitar

Rickenbacker, Inc. American

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 684

The Rickenbacker Model A-22 Electro Hawaiian guitar is the first commercially succesful electric guitar. Nicknamed the "Frying Pan" because of its shape, it was also the first solid body guitar. It was invented and designed by George Beauchamp and then manufactured and marketed by the Rickenbacker Company. The "Frying Pan" utilized a 1/12 inch horseshoe electro-magnetic pickup. The entire instrument is made of cast aluminum with a gold enamel finish. The nut and saddle are separate and chromed. A metal plate is mounted between the slots on the headstock and reads "Richenbacher Electro, Los Angeles." The serial number is 0107, making it one of the first hundred or so electric guitars ever built and dating it early in the production of this model (produced from 1932 until 1939). The guitar was built during the craze for Hawaiian "slide" music and meant to be played on the lap (or on a stand) in front of the musician.

A-22 Model, "Frying Pan", Electro Hawaiian Guitar, Rickenbacker, Inc. (American), cast aluminum, bakelite, American

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A-22 Model,
A-22 Model,
A-22 Model,

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