Pete Townshend with strange guitar

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:15 am

Has anyone seen the new issue of Rolling Stone ( August 8 )? There is a photo of Pete Townshend with a very unusual guitar on page 62. It has Rick toasters and what appears to be a Rick bound headstock and nameplate on another brand of guitars' neck. I have no idea what the body is. The caption says the photo dates from 1966. Any ideas?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 9:28 am

That photo is also in a new book called 'The Who Chronicles' (or something similar). I believe there is a shot of the guitar in the 'Maximum R&B' book that was put out about 20-22 years ago..When I first saw it I was thinking it was something like a 360F--the guitar does have a headstock similar to some of the stuff Roger Rosmeisel made in the late 50's, like the 'El Toro' guitar. This guitar has big block-inlays on the fretboard, and it looks as though the stuff was put on in a hurry, maybe by Pete himself---it could have been at a time when he needed something quick and nothing else was available, so he improvised. A definite mystery guitar.

bruceglaser · Post by **bruceglaser** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 10:04 am

John,

You think this is actually a Rick body and neck? I would be very surprised if it is and it was not published in the Bacon/Day or the Smith books, given the Townshend connection. How do you think he would have gotten it from Rickenbacker?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 2:16 am

Actually IMHO I don't think it is a Rickenbacker at all...a guitar like that would more than likely have a good bit of photo-documentation (F.C. Hall was very diligent about this) but anything is possible....

There is a guitar on John Williams's site in the 'Rare Ricks' section that belongs to the Cardigan's guitarist; this guitar is very similar to the guitar that Pete is pictured with, but it is not a Rickenbacker.....even though it's 'dressed up' with hardware.

ANYTHING is possible. There is stuff 'floating' around that has an air of mystery about it that could be legit. Not much mind you, but it out there..

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Sun Jul 28, 2002 6:33 pm

See the '68 Ric catalouge...I think the guitar you're talking about is a 390. (That catalouge is on the Ric website.)

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Jul 29, 2002 4:04 am

Kenny, I have the Catalogue you mention in my own collection; the two guitars pictured in the photograph with the Mapleglo 381 were actually made in 1957-58(they had been around that long) by Rossmeisl himself as show guitars(they are also pictured in the photos taken at the 1958 trade show, with Toots Thielmanns in the foreground). I don't think Rickenbacker ever sold one, although it is possible. If so, then how did Pete get a hold of such a unique instrument?? At that time he was busting them up as fast as he could sign the hire-purchase papers!!! I believe John Hall still has possession of these guitars at RIC, in the museum.