Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Spike- wrote:I don't know, does owning a Les Paul mean you're trying to be like Slash?

edit: That analogy might be too 'radical' for our members here, i'll use a more age-friendly comparison.

Does owning a Gretsch mean you're trying to be like Chet Atkins?

Are you waiting for one of us Old Pharts to ask you, "who's Slash?"?

Everyone knows he was Anna Nicole Smith's chauffeur!

Who's Anna Nicole Smith???

I think she was on The Muppet Show?

jingle_jangle wrote:I think she was on The Muppet Show?

That's Miss Piggy... I get why people mix them up, they're similar piglike

I own a 360/12V64, but I do not at all think I am imitating George Harrison. I simply liked the look of the guitar, and when I finally got it, the sound of it. It played (still does) better than the other two Ric 12's I had been through at the time.

While the double-bound/slash hole 21-fret 360/12 will always be associated with George Harrison (solid color double-bound models are associated with fellow member Paulie Azpeitia) to me, I know I'm not imiatating him as long as I don't have the haircut/wig, suits/Shea jacket and the man heels, I'm all right. I usually wear retro-patterned button-up shirts, so I know I'm not George looks wise. I've been learning his solos and riffs, so I might SOUND like him...

Basically, Nelson, if you like the look and sound of your 325, there is no reason to stop playing it. Sure people will think you're trying to be John Lennon, but let them think what they want, it's just an opinion, and the only one that you should care a rat's hat about is your own. If Rickenbackers are not common in your area, ESPECIALLY don't stop playing it!

I do have alot of Beatles related gear, but also have unrelated stuff. When I play each guitar I try to imagine
what "The Lads" may have seen in that particular instrument. Sometimes it was price, availability,unique sound, "American made" or easyiness to play. (In 1963, George actually bought a RIC because John had one )
I can see why the Casino's were around for quite a few years -being a fun instrument to play with a great tone.

Can you imagine the price of GODIN's (a top quality instrument) if they were available back in the day and Lennon bought one. Just a thought.

Casiraghi22 wrote:I wont play my rick anymore. I don't want to imitate someone.

STOP! Let's not talk crazy. If you love your 325C64, play it. I understand your problem. I have a Jetglo 350V63 that's just killer but I've never used it live for the same reason. That's really stupid of me. Whenever I play my 360/12, there's always someone that calls out for "Bells of Rhymney" or "Eight Miles High". When I'm trying to do my own music and create my own sound, that can get pretty frustrating. For whatever reason, Gibsons and Fenders are not the same. No one calls me Jimi or yells out "Layla" when I play my Strat. It seems to be one more thing that's unique to Rics. Something we just have to embrace and move on.

Rickenbacker 325 is like a "beatle" icon.

Well, look at it this way, if most of your audience is 40 or younger, early beatles gear is a pretty vague concept. Sure, there'll be one or two (usually rather vocal) Lennon fans but honestly, most people won't know and won't care.

collin wrote:Nelson -- why do you care so much what other people might think about you? That could be the far more serious issue.

Really, why do you care? Do you make a conscious attempt at imitating John Lennon? Probably not. So, play the damn guitar and have fun!

Mr. C-22,
If a player writes and sings his own music, with his own spirit, and his very own style, he will not be confused with someone else, no matter the guitar! Well, 99 of 100 times that is...I guess there are some who purposely try to imitate, but it isn't the axe in the hand that imitates. Good luck with "your" music!

...wisdom