Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

blue330 wrote:Mr. Buck played a 360 on Murmur, not a 330. And I recall it was the Jetglo one, not the Mapleglo one he had on their first session here in NC. On Murmur, the amps were a little Kasino solid state thing (Pilgrimage only), and an Ampeg Gemini II. No AC30s! They came much later, and the last couple of times I saw them his amp was a small Silvertone.
Mitch Easter

isnt this forum just brilliant??! Mitch Easter HIMSELF is replying to these questions. what else/more can anyone hope for? wow... so cool! thanx Mitch!!

i was wondering for ages, what Rick12 Peter was using for the intro to "South Central Rain". I know it must be double tracked, it is obvious. If Mitch Easter should still be around: Any insights? Pleeeeze

i might add that i once asked Microwave, who has been Peter Buck´s guitar tech for ages up until 2002 or 2003, about the sounds/recording techniques for Peter´s guitars. he obviously hadn´t been around while recording the very early stuff, so he couldnt help ....

Thanks again for the information, Mitch. Perhaps I'll create my own "Let's Active" button for my 360. Another way to get my wife to roll her eyes...

I do have a couple of questions as well -- the first is what, if any association do you have with REM or any of it's members these days? The second, is do you have any plans for another album anytime soon? I'm still digging Dynamico, but hey -- more is better!!

belmondo wrote:i might add that i once asked Microwave, who has been Peter Buck´s guitar tech for ages up until 2002 or 2003, about the sounds/recording techniques for Peter´s guitars. he obviously hadn´t been around while recording the very early stuff, so he couldnt help ....

Microwave actually passed away this year.

I was telling someone about Peter's mudflap guitar yesterday, I've played it a few times. Plays like an acoustic with those heavy strings.

I heard about Microwave. I am really sorry.

Kenny, you lucky thing. I am really jealous. PB is my absolute hero and the reason I wanted a Rickenbacker to start with. (Once I owned one, I wanted more of course!) I would like to get my little mitts on that guitar Mind you, I might not be able to do much with it, seeing as the strings are like electricity cables! I only have little pinkys comparatively

But that's what I mean, it actually plays great, like an acoustic that's set up well. Not difficult at all.

That's really interesting to know. Thanks Kenny. Maybe it is worth trying slightly heavier strings. It might mean an adjustment of the truss rods though if I went up to 11s from 10s?

A friend of mine had a chance to get some pictures of REM's gear backstage at a recent show, and he gave me copies of these pics of Pete Buck's guitars and amps. This is what he's using nowadays. First, guitars:







Looks like a 330, 360/12, 620/12, and two 360/6 models. Note the brass bridge and nut on the 330.

The last one in the line is his old favorite. Here's a close up of that little sticker in the soundhole:



Anybody curious about his actual amp settings?



Besides the AC30, he also had an old Silvertone head, which he played through an open-back Tone Tubby 2x12 with that look like their version of Alnico Blues. They were alnico magnets, anyway.

Rickygirl wrote:That's really interesting to know. Thanks Kenny. Maybe it is worth trying slightly heavier strings. It might mean an adjustment of the truss rods though if I went up to 11s from 10s?

Try 13 gauge! I think that's what he has.

Yeah, some adjusting and settling would be necessary I think.

chuck_king wrote:A friend of mine had a chance to get some pictures of REM's gear backstage at a recent show, and he gave me copies of these pics of Pete Buck's guitars and amps. This is what he's using nowadays. First, guitars:







Looks like a 330, 360/12, 620/12, and two 360/6 models. Note the brass bridge and nut on the 330.

The last one in the line is his old favorite. Here's a close up of that little sticker in the soundhole:



Anybody curious about his actual amp settings?



Besides the AC30, he also had an old Silvertone head, which he played through an open-back Tone Tubby 2x12 with that look like their version of Alnico Blues. They were alnico magnets, anyway.

Cool to see that he's still using those old analog Ibanez rackmount multi-effect things (UE 400?). I had one or two of those, really solid stuff.

sad news about Microwave he was such a friendly guy (

what an insughtful post, thanks for those fabulous pictures!!

I don't know how he is able to use his AC30 on those settings with his Ricks, especially if he uses an OD pedal. When I use my Ricks at those settings with an OD pedal my guitar wants to feed back. I have to turn the tone cut on my AC30 much further counterclockwise, to about the 7 O'clock position, looking from the back of the amp (just like in the photo), and roll the tone off about half way to prevent feedback. Of course, I am using either 12K toasters on the 381, and 14/15k custom Sergio toasters on my WBs, and both pickups are in the bridge position, but I don't think pickup selection makes that much difference in my experience. The propensity for feedback also varies depending on the room I'm playing in, but it's present. I'm ready to start stuffing the soundholes of my Ricks with foam padding. I'm not sure if that's even effective though.

kennyhowes wrote: Try 13 gauge! I think that's what he has.

I was thinking of starting off slowly!!! I only graduated from 9s in August!!!

Rickygirl wrote:

kennyhowes wrote: Try 13 gauge! I think that's what he has.

I was thinking of starting off slowly!!! I only graduated from 9s in August!!!

Good idea Sarah a little at a time