Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

The history and music of the Fab Four

Which guitar do you think George is using as the lead guitar in "Words of Love"?

1963 Gretsch Tennessean
8
67%
1963 Rickenbacker 360/12
3
25%
Both
1
8%
 
Total votes: 12

JakeK
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Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by JakeK »

Okay, here's a question that I've been debating in my head for a while now. Obviously, a poll isn't going to make a difference, but it's still fun to see what people come up with.

On Beatles for Sale, the band did a cover of Buddy Holly's "Words of Love". John Lennon played a Gibson J-160E (either his new '64 model, or Harrison's original '62 model), Paul played his '62 Hofner Beatle bass, and Ringo played his Ludwig drums and a packing case.

The lead guitar has bothered me. I've seen (really good) YouTube covers using a Ric 12-string, while I saw some posts here saying it's a Gretsch Tennessean. I've listened to the song a lot in recent days, and now I'm starting to believe that it's both, playing the same lines, just one was put on after the other.

That's why I've created the poll, to see the interesting answers people come up with. Obviously, we aren't going to know the truth unless we ask Paul or George Martin, but it's been 47 years, so chances are they won't remember. It was recorded October 18, 1964, and pictures from that day revealed both guitars were present at that session, so it's one, the other or both.

So, vote away!
Last edited by JakeK on Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by sloop_john_b »

Isn't ths the one that people think is the 325/12?
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by JakeK »

"Every Little Thing"
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by sloop_john_b »

What's a "packing case"?
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by JakeK »

Beats me. Derek Taylor wrote it in the original liner notes. Apparently it was used to recreate a Buddy Holly-type sound. My best bet: a suitcase of some sort.
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by sloop_john_b »

JakeK wrote:Apparently it was used to recreate a Buddy Holly-type sound.
Strat usually does the job for me. :lol:
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winston
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by winston »

A packing case is a very thin wooden crate that products like Indian tea used to be shipped in back in the 60's. After their initial use, people used to use them to store items but Ringo obviously used one in a much more creative manner. :mrgreen:
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by sloop_john_b »

Cheers Brian. :D
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8mileshigher
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"Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by 8mileshigher »

Personally, I think WOL sounds great played on a chimey Ric 12 string ... but I believe there are several authoratative sources about Beatles recording sessions, which indicate the "original" recording was the Gretsch double tracked.

It has been debated on this Forum many times over the years:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=77286&p=77449&hilit ... ove#p77286
Last edited by 8mileshigher on Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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winston
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by winston »

sloop_john_b wrote:Cheers Brian. :D
I am always glad to be of assistance John. :D
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winston
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by winston »

Here's what a packing case typically looked like.

http://ephemeral-male.blogspot.com/2011 ... f-tea.html
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by sloop_john_b »

Cool! Not quite what I envisioned.
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scotty
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by scotty »

sloop_john_b wrote:What's a "packing case"?
When your wife says "You buy another guitar and im outta here"
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sloop_john_b
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by sloop_john_b »

What's a "wife"?
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jingle_jangle
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Re: Poll: "Words of Love" lead guitar

Post by jingle_jangle »

It's something you don't quite need yet, JB.

(Although I hear that yer girlfriend is a sweetie :wink: )

From Day One I've thought of that as a choked Gretsch Tennesean on WOL...
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