Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The rich treble tonality that is associated with Rickenbackers has also been observed in a number of instruments, particularly the Gretsch. Perhaps the prime example of this is seen in the music of The Beatles and George Harrison. Do you think that there is a Rickenbacker-Gretsch connection and if so why? For me it is the clarity and the striking presence of the treble sound. So how many famous players used both Rickenbacker and Gretsch in their performance and recordings. Without going to the history books a number come to mind including:
George Harrison John Lennon David Crosby Mike Nesmith Randy Bachman
Let's see how many others can be identified.

Neil Young
The Edge
Tom Petty
Mike Campbell

James 'Jim' Moginie of Midnight Oil prominently uses both Gretsch and Rickenbacker guitars.
David Schelzel of the Ocean Blue uses both.
Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins (and Violet Indiana) uses both.
Johnny Marr! uses both.
Karl Wallinger of World Party (X Waterboys).
Didn't that guy in My Bloody Valentine use both?
There are more I'm sure.
Surely more Merseybeat bands did this...
Cheers, Noel

We can add the Eagles'Joe Walsh and Smithereens' Jim Babjak to the Rickenbacker and Gretsch club.

From Terry Oblander: Roger McGuinn and the Vox-boosted Gretsch Country Gentleman and the Vox-boosted Rickenbacker 370/12Byrd.

Pete Townshend defined the Who sound with the Rick 1997 and a Gretsch Nashville. The Bangles have the Rick/Gretsch thing going on. Also Jimmy Vivino of the Max Wineberg Seven has sported a 50s model 330 Rick a few Gretsch Jets and a Country Gentlemen in the past.

I don't know if The Bangles count, as Susanna Hoffs plays Rics, but not Gretschs, while Vicki Peterson plays Gretschs but not Rics. What's the ruling on "bands that use both, but not one singular person", Peter?

I'll add Jimmy Page to the list.

Hello Corey. Let's keep it to the same artist for now.

Sorry about that Bangles mistake guys. I knew once I wrote it I had made a made that little error. I'm not a Bangles buff anyway, so you can disregard anything I said about them here.

The Edge
Bryan Adams
Courtney Love

Hilton Valentine of the Animals; a Gretsch Tennesean, and a 1997....

I wanted to ad John Fogerty. His Rick 325 and from what I have seen from photos taken in the Centerfield days, he played a 70's/80's Gretsch new style "Jet" with HBs. I think that he plays this guitar on "Old Man Down The Road".

Cyril Jordan (possibly also Mike Wilhelm and/or Chris Wilson) of the Flamin' Groovies, from when nearly everything they were recording had a Beatles/Byrds sound. Their last album, 'Rock Juice', credits Jordan with 360/10 (not a typo!) and Gretsch Country Gentleman.

Gerry Marsden of Gerry & the Pacemakers a 360/12 Fireglo & a Gretsch Country Gentleman.

Greg Keelor, of the fine Canadian band, "Blue Rodeo" uses vintage Gretsch 6120's and a Rickenbacker 330-12.