Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

And thank you, Brian, for starting the thread and compiling the data!

Thanks Gary,

Hopefully those who contributed and those who just stopped by out of curiosity, enjoyed perusing the results as much as I did.

Great observations, and just one question: which models are the most popular among those who answered and which music style?

Sheena,

As the results indicate there were almost as many guitars used for lead as there were respondents. The 360 model in various configurations seemed to be the most popular as it was reported as being used for lead by a number of musicians.

The interesting thing about the number of genres reported is that the myth that Rickenbackers are only great for Beatles, Byrds or 60's British invasion music got busted. The most popular use appears to be for classic and modern rock.

I would never consider myself a lead guitar player in a band, but I haven't really played in a real band since the late '80s. I played a few dances in the 90's but it was rather ad hoc.

When I was in a band, I usually played bass, or keyboards. Sometimes rhythm guitar. I usually sang lead or shared lead. I'm not including orchestras because I don't think anyone would care about that. LOL

Now that "the real life" has been in effect for years, I only manage to play, write and record late at night or on weekends when I have finished everything else that needs to be done, but I play all my guitar parts, bass, piano, violin, mandolin, drums, etc. Other than participating in musicals or choirs, I don't usually play with other musicians. An already existing band asked me to sing lead for them two years back but they were "all serious" and needed a "serious" commitment from me so I had to let them go.

Mostly I write songs for the kids. Wishful thinking songs like "Christopher likes to clean up his room..." in a rocking beat that the kids like to sing in the car after I've burned it onto CD. I've got five kids (two sets of twins) so I try to get each kid their own song each year. I do all sorts of genres: rock, hard rock, brit pop, ballads, folk, funk (well, I try), even goofy rap.

It's all fun and it satiates the need to express myself musically.

As far as what guitars I use, I have a 360 VP FG, 360-12 BBR, 730L-12 FG, Taylor 410CE, Takemine 12-string, Les Paul copy, Fender Strat, and my mom's old Silvertone acoustic that was built sometime between 1958 and 1965 (I don't know when it was made and I doubt anyone could find out).

Right now the 730L/12 is in my hands demanding my caressing touch, but historically, I prefer the 360 VP with Pyramid strings. Mmmm... like warm butter.

Gotta chime in!

1. I play lead!
2. My kickin' 650 Dakota
3. Blues, baby, blues (& praise)

Howdy,

20 years ago i used my little 320 "B" series in JG for leads in a small-time C&W group here in Louisiana! It looked very similar to the guitar John used on that first Sullivan show (i.e., gold pickguard & TRC, chrome bar p/u's).
It wasn't my first choice during a given show, but after I'd pop a string on my Strat, I'd whip out my little black Rickenbacker. Meanwhile another guitarist used either a Gretsch Country Gent or a Tenneseean! We must've been a sight!
My little 320 ( it had the three p/u's) was killer on "Green River" and "Twist & Shout". ADmittedly, it didn't do the "Tiger by the Tail" leads all that convincingly, but it sounded and looked different. Cool looking guitar
Eggman

So Larry, should I assume from your post that you are a pretty big country fan? Opening your post with the vernacular "howdy" was my first clue.

I also take it that you are a lead player. I don't think I have ever seen a Rickenbacker being played by a country artist. That would be way too cool in my estimation.

I saw Dwight Yokams guitarist using a 360 on UK TV a while ago Brian. I was pretty surprised, but after all...why not. You can get a great rockabilly twang out of any Ric thinline.

I agree Tony,

The thinline series of guitars in particular are so adaptable to any genre of music.

I would have loved to have seen the TV show you referenced.

Brian,

No, at the time I was 22 and heavily influenced by the Beatles, The 'Stones, Chuck Berry and Jimmy Reed! I learned C&W "on the job", so to speak! I consider myself a rhythm guitarist. I knew barre chords and few lead licks-it was settled, LOL.
I listen to Buck Owens and JERRY Reed some these days for variety, but look fondly on my "lead gitawr" picking days in those Louisiana bars! Great experience. I love Rickenbackers!

Eggman

Thanks Larry,

I am always interested to hear about the experiences and indeed, some of the details of the musical careers of fellow musicians and artists.

That is especially true for me, if they use a Rickenbacker or two in their set.

Brian,

If you have never seen a Ric in a C&W context, then you must have never seen Gurf Morlix. He used to play guitar with Lucinda Williams, a JetGlo 330. He has played and produced other C&W artists, mostly the Austin-types, not the Nashville-types.

Thanks for the info James.

I do recall hearing the name Gurf Morlix before. Didn't he do some stuff with Ian McLagan of Small Faces fame?

I am going to scour the net looking for Lucinda Williams band photos featuring him on a Rickenbacker.

Ah. Got it James. "They're hanging me Tonight" What a great tune. I confess I did not know that he ever played a Rickenbacker.