Re: The "California Melody Maker" ?
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:13 pm
+2!
But, where else are you going to get one?
But, where else are you going to get one?
Rickenbacker Forum, Amplifier, Bass and Guitar Register
https://www.rickresource.com/forum/
No. It's a 65 or 66. This was the 3rd shape for the MM. 1967-1971 they were SG shaped. Discontinued in 1971.whojamfan wrote:It's an early 70s model, and I've seen ones like that she has used with clear cover humbuckers with the "square" looking pole pieces. Gibson did some SGs like that too, and some had slider switches as opposed to toggles. Modifications started really becoming popular in those days due to the availability of aftermarket parts, and her stage guitars may have been modded for hotter pickups, or even for humbuckers. Almost every MM, (I've known to be stock), that I've seen of that era had those non exposed pole piece solid black pickup covers and were single coil strat type.
Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please
Oh yeah?customxke wrote: ad it's a huge peave of mine.....
+1collin wrote:Oh yeah?customxke wrote: ad it's a huge peave of mine.....
My peeve is spelling.
Man o MAN!customxke wrote:Ok. My bad. I thought we were hear to talk about guitars.
It's on sale here for $35(link)whojamfan wrote:Holy Moly-that's way too much money for a stupid Barbie-sheeshtmossman wrote:Here you are Mike. Just don't get the whole collection...whojamfan wrote:Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please![]()
http://www.amazon.com/Barbie-Joan-Jett- ... B002IB7Q0G

This is information I was told in the early 80s at Guitars R Us and Freedom Guitars in Hollywierd when I was a kid, and never had a reason to question it's accuracy. I've seen and repaired many different Melody Maker guitars over the years, and to see a completely stock one pre 80s has been a rare thing for me. In fact, most MMs that came across my counter or repair bench were mainly just bodies fitted with aftermarket parts and pickups. I've owned one from the early 60s, and own a current one now, but in no way claim to be an "expert" on them. I fail to see how relaying the information supplied by people believed to be more than credible qualifies us as "dubious". I also don't agree that most of the information is wrong, or that we are losing our value and becoming a "guitar-centric" version of Facebook. We have many members here who have either worked or currently worked for Rickenbacker, as well as all other levels of the music industry. There is quite a sense of accuracy,(mind numbing at times), amongst our members,and probably one of the highest quality control factors of any musical forum online.customxke wrote:No. It's a 65 or 66. This was the 3rd shape for the MM. 1967-1971 they were SG shaped. Discontinued in 1971.whojamfan wrote:It's an early 70s model, and I've seen ones like that she has used with clear cover humbuckers with the "square" looking pole pieces. Gibson did some SGs like that too, and some had slider switches as opposed to toggles. Modifications started really becoming popular in those days due to the availability of aftermarket parts, and her stage guitars may have been modded for hotter pickups, or even for humbuckers. Almost every MM, (I've known to be stock), that I've seen of that era had those non exposed pole piece solid black pickup covers and were single coil strat type.
Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please
Whojamfan; I'm not singling you out by this next comment, but would like to say this to everyone here, ad it's a huge peave of mine.....
Please don't post if you don't know. These forums are a wealth of information. Unfortunately, most of it is wrong. This, and many other forums, lose their value (other than being a guitar-centric version of facebook) when the posted info is of dubious accuracy. Rant over.
It is really hard to figure out the true origin of this guitar.Even interviews given by both Eric Carmen and Joan Jett don't add up .She said bought the guitar from one of The Raspberries roadies? He said he gave her the guitar? She said it was a 1968 but all the 1968 Melody Makers I have seen have a SG shaped body. I just read another book which says that Eric had the guitar painted white many years ago. But I read other interviews with both Eric and Joan in which they refer to this as a White California Style Melody Maker,like it was a special model. I cannot find any other reference to a "California" Melody Maker in Gibson literature or elsewhere.So,The search for the "truth" goes on.whojamfan wrote:Thanks for the information Mitch,it really clears the air about what year Joans prize guitar is. Learn something new every day
