Frying Pan Guitar

3D Model

The “Frying Pan” is the first electric lap steel guitar. George Beauchamp created the “Fry-Pan” in 1931, and it was subsequently manufactured by Rickenbacher Electro. The instrument—officially the Rickenbacher Electro A-22—earned its nickname because its circular body and long neck make it resemble a frying pan.

It was designed to capitalize on the popularity of Hawaiian music in the 1930s. The instrument was made of cast aluminum, and featured a pickup that incorporated a pair of horseshoe magnets that arched over the strings. Beauchamp and machinist Adolph Rickenbacker began selling the guitar in 1932, but Beauchamp was not awarded a patent for his idea until 1937, which allowed other guitar companies to produce electric guitars in the same period.