What if Paul had played the 4001 on Ed Sullivan?

[brammy]

One of the things that catches the eye about any guitar is the tuner configuration.

Having grown up with the Beatles, to this day the Fender 6-inline tuner look rubs me the wrong way. Give me 3+3 or give me death!

[webhead]

I think if Paul played a RIC on the Ed Sullivan show, we wouldn't have to fork over the $1700-$1900 for a Hofner.

[brammy]

ha... you got that right. About $170-$190 might be more like it.

[j_gary]

Cool photo's Nick. Rickenbacker still had CS using their gear if Sir Paul had not.

That Jazz looks out of place on the old boy.

[revolver323]

>>I think if Paul played a RIC on the Ed Sullivan show, we wouldn't have to fork over the $1700-$1900 for a Hofner.<<
... But Rics would be $3500.

[rickfan63]

It wasn't The Beatles alone that put Rickenbacker at the front of rock music. The Who, The Kinks, The Byrds and lots of others had something to do with it too. But who else is famous for playing a Hofner besides McCartney? He only bought it in the first place because it was inexpensive at the time. And while they are not bad basses at all, they are not worth the price they are selling for now IMHO. I'd much rather have a Rickenbacker any day.

[simer4001]

I don't think so Dave. After all John and George are very identified with Rickenbacker and their models are very reasonably priced. I would say that with some dealers they are surprisingly affordable.

[craviola990]

The girl in "The Cowsills" played a Hoffner, and The Beach Boys used one on their '68 tour of England. I'll have to wrack the brain for other Hoffner users. The Castaways "Liar, Liar, (Blondie did a cool cover) I THINK. Also I think The Cryan Shames "Sugar & Spice" too. Thanks! Christian

[revolver323]

Two words that should have ruined Hofners for life: Danny Partridge.

But let's not forget the Searchers.

[webhead]

I wouldn't think RICs would be $3500 if Paul played one on the Sullivan show. John played one, they weren't near $3500. I think the Paul & Hofner connection is a somewhat karma thing. It's a different shape of a bass, and we connect Paul with a violin shaped bass. It's that image branding thing. I remember in 1985 I bought a '74 Hofner Beatle Bass for $400. The thing was practically in mint condition. No cracks, scratches or anything. I should have kept it!!

[rickfan63]

I bought one in 1981 and I paid $800 for it new. I sold it a few years later for $250. That thing was a real pain to intonate, and the string spacing was hard to get used to. However, at high volumes it would distort and feedback like a guitar. I would use it for Hendrix like solos every now and then. I just didn't play it enough to want to keep it, after a few years.

[bassduke49]

Dino Martin (Dean Martin's son, now both deceased) played a Deluxe Hofner 5000/1 "blonde" when they made their hits (well, he played it on TV, who knows who played on the actual recording). I fell in love with the Deluxe right away, but had to settle for a Japanese copy of a standard sunburst. Got to handle one in 1968 at the Hollywood Guitar Center (the first?) when I was in college there. I finally got to buy one a three years ago:

[hozy]

I bought a 65 Hofner in 1983 for 200.00. I still am kicking myself for trading it in for a drum set two years later.

[j_gary]

Paul, I remember Dino's band. Was it Dino, Desi and, I cannot recall the third guy.

I thought I remember him playing a Gibson EB3.

Shoot, I can't remember what I play nevermind poor Dino.

[revolver323]

Billy Hinsche was guy #3, the guitarist.