Early 60's Harrison - Rick

string_along · Post by **string_along** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:32 pm

A couple of days ago I was watching some old Ready, Steady, Go tapes that I had recorded off the Disney channel years ago. One show had Dusty Springfield intro the Beatles and they did Twist and Shout. George was playing this real cool Rick. It looked black in color, big pickguard and w/only one pickup. Later on, Springfield had a Q & A w/George and they talked about this guitar for a bit. (just odds n' ends chat.) I noticed this Rick before in still pictures but this RSG footage is the only time I've seen it "in action". 1.) What is the info on this Rick. 2.) Did George ever RECORD w/this Rick?
This guitar looks real great w/that large pickguard and it's overall uncluttered look. (just a couple of knobs & one pickup.)
3.)Was there ever a re-issue on this Rick??
Thanks, for any and all info!! --- Skip

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 2:58 pm

I think that was a 425 and George bought it while visiting his sister in the US (Missouri?). It was reissued, I think.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:01 pm

I don't think he ever used it on any recordings either, and he ended up giving it to someone later on who added another pickup to it. Its been in several guitar books.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:09 pm

It used to be fireglo he had the store owner[where he bought it] shoot it in black.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:20 pm

When George first saw his guitar in the store while visiting his sister, it looked like this:

http://www.homestead.com/aurs3/62425.html

As Ken posted above, he made a deal with the store to have it painted black when he purchased it and picked it up about a week later, before returning to Britain..

string_along · Post by **string_along** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:12 pm

That would be her, alright! A gorgeous piece of Rickmanship! Thanks, everybody! --- Skip

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:27 pm

Skip, Rick did a reissue a few years back.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 4:41 pm

Here's the reissue 425v63 in JG, one that Mike Parks sold:

http://homer.netmar.com/~muscon2/r177.jpg

425v63 Jetglo Also from the special edition, these are no longer available from Rickenbacker. Like it's brother to the left, this one features the new vintage pickup and historic accuracy. Vintage silver hardshell case. Total world production: 84! SOLD

They were also available in Burgundy, as well as in the two-pickup 450 version (I havve two 450v63s, one in JG and one in BG).

string_along · Post by **string_along** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:51 pm

FabGearBeat to the max!! I really hope that Rickenbacker will do another reissue of this model in the future. Man, I got 425's on the brain now! --- Skip

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:35 am

My '62 425 is FG and 5 serial numbers away from GH's.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:42 am

Skipson: At the risk of pushing the story too far, here is my take on George's first Rickenbacker.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:21 am

Cool story Peter, good information too. I always thought he bought it in Missouri because his sister's home was described as being in the St. Louis area. I had not considered the Illinois side of the Mississippi river.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:39 am

As a native of Illinois, I know that not all of the state is east of the Mississippi; Kaskaskia IL is located west of the river:

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?newFL=Use+Address+Below&addr=&csz=kaskaskia+IL&.intl=us&name=&lat=&lon=&srchtype=a&qty=&new=1&trf=0&getmap=Get+Map

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:11 am

The most powerful earth quake ever measured by seizmologists (9+) occured along a fault near New Madrid MO in the 1800's. It was so powerful that it moved the Mississippi river and the town (once the capitol of Illinois) ended up on the MO side.

kog · Post by **kog** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:14 am

Re: Skipson's second question, "Did George ever RECORD with this guitar?" There has been some speculation that he did "I Want To Hold Your Hand" with it -- the high-note little slide-down accents that show up at the end of the verses don't sound to me like the Gretsch. The time line would be about right, too.

Another little tidbit we'll never know for sure, I imagine.