What are Rickenbacker for?

[Casiraghi22]

Ok my Rickenbrothers, are Rickenbackers are meant for classic rock? Why Rick owners in Youtube play Beatle tunes? It's very boring to just see people just play this. Why wont someone do a Blink 182 video example or a red chilli pepper tune? I own a 325 and what people play most is "All my loving" among others. Can a Rick expert help?

[collin]

All I can say is that there are people who buy a guitar because it speaks to them as a tool, an instrument for creative expression.....and there are people who buy a certain guitar because their musical hero had one like it.

Not saying there is anything wrong with it, but to many people, a 325 is not a musical instrument---it's a piece of collectible Beatle memorabilia.

Now, as for your Blink 182 request...err....

[DoubleThink]

[...] a 325 is not a musical instrument---it's a piece of collectible Beatle memorabilia.

Col, I think you hit the nail on the head. Still, I wouldn't mind having a 325 to fiddle around with when the urge arises. Hell, I'd even settle for a 320

OK, silliness aside, I use my Ric guitars for rhythm playing. They have such a wonderful, full sound ideally suited for such use. Their mid-range cuts through the mix. Granted, I'm a lousy lead guitarist and I never use them for such, so my opinion is slightly skewed.

[Badanovski]

Could it be that for the most part you've got to be older & financially secure to afford one & old folks like the Beatles much better than Blink 182. I'm not saying this is a rule but a generalization.

[Halbert]

Could it be that for the most part you've got to be older & financially secure to afford one & old folks like the Beatles much better than Blink 182. I'm not saying this is a rule but a generalization.

I don't really think that's it. Rics really aren't that expensive when you consider the prices on new American Fenders, Martins, PRS and most especially $$$Gibsons$$$. There are prenty of those out there.
I think the real answer is that the Rics just appeal more to certain musicans. And just for the record, I see plenty of fresh, not too old Ric players coming out with new material. Granted, most of them are not playing short scale necks.
I say if you see a vacuum out there, go fill it! I always like to see and hear new stuff especailly rendered on a Rickenbacker.

[Grey]

Why wont someone do a Blink 182 video example

Because Blink 182 is terrible. Regardless, you can play anything on anything.

[DoubleThink]

Regardless, you can play anything on anything.

+1

[Casiraghi22]

Not saying there is anything wrong with it, but to many people, a 325 is not a musical instrument---it's a piece of collectible Beatle memorabila

so a 325 is not a instrument? I'm I a John Lennon just because I have a 325?

[Grey]

so a 325 is not a instrument? I'm I a John Lennon just because I have a 325?

Don't blow things out of proportion, no one is saying that. The Beatles made these guitars famous, and their association with these instruments is not something that will go away. Play what you want on it and it shouldn't matter.

Why wont someone do a Blink 182 video example or a red chilli pepper tune?

I own a 325

Sounds like you are the answer to your own question.

[jimk]

Never heard of Blink 182. Otherwise what are Rickenbackers for? The answer is: Anything you want.
JimK

[collin]

Not saying there is anything wrong with it, but to many people, a 325 is not a musical instrument---it's a piece of collectible Beatle memorabila

so a 325 is not a instrument? I'm I a John Lennon just because I have a 325?

Nelson, I'm going to give you the benefit of doubt and guess that English might not be your first language, so the context is getting lost?

Key words in my statement were "to some people, a 325 is not a musical instrument."

By that, I mean there are people out there who own a 325 and can't even play guitar (I know one, in fact). It is a collectible item that the owner purely associates with the Beatles and nothing more. The realization of a childhood dream...

Is it an instrument to many other people? of course. Played by many for all types of music? Sure, why not.


Ps...enjoy playing your 325! Make some Blink 182 videos for YouTube.

[wj350]

I admit I'd probably never have stumbled across Rickenbacker guitars if it weren't for The Beatles...I don't apologize, I always thought John's guitar looked really cool on stage, and its what made me curious about Rics.

Having said that, I've never really embraced the philosophy that a certain guitar (Ric or otherwise) is only good for "one kind of music", or that a guitar is a "rhythm guitar" or "lead guitar"...though I guess all my guitars are rhythm guitars, as I can't play lead worth a darn,

I do play a lot of Beatles stuff because I really like their music....but I've played their stuff on my PRS, numerous Fenders, and I've played CSN&Y on my 350.

[wim]

Ok my Rickenbrothers, are Rickenbackers are meant for classic rock? Why Rick owners in Youtube play Beatle tunes? It's very boring to just see people just play this. Why wont someone do a Blink 182 video example or a red chilli pepper tune? I own a 325 and what people play most is "All my loving" among others. Can a Rick expert help?

You can play anything on a rickenbacker, but not every rick owner posts videos from him/herself on youtube.
check out Toots Thielemans (jazz), MC5 (very hard rock), The who (mod rock), REM (alternative rock), The Jam (punk rock), Roxette (pop) The Byrds (folk rock)etc etc..

[chronictown]

Nelson - you just might enjoy John B.'s earlier thread featuring a 325:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=403525&hilit=shredding&start=15

As mentioned, you can play anything on anything

[red360]

I have bben playing my red 360-6 for many, many years. I play everything on it EXCEPT Beatles. Frequently someone will approach me and say "Hey, just like John Lennon's". Ah, no, John never used a 360, nor did ever play a red anything, but I get what people are saying. The perception on the Rickenbacker brand is Beatles. This won't go away. Don't forget the classics written on another 325 owned by John Fogerty...hardly Beatle-like. Session players like Andrew Gold used his 325 on many songs we know, and don't even know it's a 325 we're hearing.