John McNally's Hofner Club 60 Model

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 01, 2000 5:33 pm

John McNally's late-50s Hofner Club 60, is the guitar that provided the early unique rhythms that became a Searchers' trademark over the years. This instrument, originally in natural finish was later refinished black. Please post any additional information or photos that you may have concerning this guitar. A wealth of information regarding The Searchers' guitars is posted on the Official Searchers Website.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 01, 2000 6:11 pm

An excellent example of a 1959 Hofner Club 60 guitar, like the one used by John McNally, can be seen at Steve Russell's Vintage Hofner Site

RJHC · Post by **RJHC** » Thu Nov 02, 2000 6:29 pm

_THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING ABOUT JOHN'S RHYTHM

GUITAR PLAYING IS THE FAST STRUMMING . I DO

BELIEVE SIXTEENTH NOTES . NOTICE CHRIS IS TAPPING

OUT THE SAME RHYTHMS ON THE CYMBALS . I WONDER IF

HIS GUITAR HELPED WITH THIS .

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Nov 02, 2000 7:02 pm

The idea for John's trademark rhythm guitar strumming did not stem from a professional guitarist, but rather an amateur one named George McGie.

RJHC · Post by **RJHC** » Fri Nov 03, 2000 4:13 pm

_I HAVE NOTICED THESE RHYTHMS ON A NUMBER OF

RECORDINGS BY THE SHADOWS WITH AND WITHOUT CLIFF

RICHARD . NOTICE "THEME FOR A DREAM" BY C.

RICHARD .

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Sat Nov 04, 2000 11:42 pm

Are we absolutely certain that John McNally's
Club 60 was originally blonde? I had the chance
to buy an original black one about 15 years ago,
so I know they did make a few original black ones.
Hofner would do this if the wood was not attractive as the black would cover the problem and they could still sell a guitar. If it was originally blonde and refinished black, who did the work? If John could tell us this, it might very well be the same guy or company that refinished Lennon's '58 to black. Liverpool was a huge city back then too, surely someone in a city of 1 million people would be qualified to refinish guitars?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 08, 2000 9:02 am

Larry: I have these questions before John McNally as we speak. I trust that he will answer them, but he sometimes takes quite a while to respond. The comments about the original finish come from The Searchers own article on their guitars and so I have no reason to doubt this information. I think it likely that the work was done in London but we will see.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Wed Nov 08, 2000 10:41 pm

Thanks Peter. The only reason I question the Club 60 being original black is because they are so rare in that color, I've only seen one other(I've owned and have seen quite a few). The majority are in blonde(natural) finish and a few in red sunburst. If it was original black, it would either be a very rare one that covered the flawed wood they used or it would be a custom ordered one in black which would require a long wait. If John McNally were to custom order a guitar at that point in time, I can't imagine him custom ordering a Club 60. It would be an American made guitar I would think. Another big reason I think it was refinished to black is I have a book by Spencer Leigh called Let's Go Down The Cavern and John McNally is playing the exact Club 60 in blonde in a photo from '62-3. This is just my thoughts, but I think it's worth the effort and thanks for doing the homework. If it was refinished in black, I think it could have been done in Liverpool(just like Lennon's '58 325)
as it was a city of 1 million people and someone
surely could handle the job there. It could be the same person that refinished Lennon's '58. I just don't think it was done in London because of
the distance involved(especially in 1962 with no motorways) and the lack of time The Beatles had spent in London at this point. London people and Liverpool people did not get along back then, and
still don't to some degree today. It may seem
crazy, but I don't think Lennon would have trusted his prized guitar to be shipped or even hand delivered to someone in London.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Wed Nov 08, 2000 10:46 pm

Please disregard half the previous post, it's been a long day!!! I forgot the original article said it was refinished black. But I still think it was probably done in Liverpool. Sorry about that.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jan 02, 2001 8:23 am

I am hoping that someone who has heard George McGie will read this post and provide additional information with regard to the rhythm technique that he used in Liverpool pubs. While McGie may have given McNally the idea, of one thing I am certain, John perfected it.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Mar 11, 2001 8:12 am

Has anyone see John McNally play his Club 60 Hofner on stage lately? I would like to learn more about this instrument.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Fri Jun 29, 2001 6:47 pm

Still wish we could find out who refinished John
McNally's Club 60 black as it was done about the
same time as John's '58 325. Both groups were
based in Liverpool, not London, at the time and I
think it is possible the same person could have
refinished both guitars? It is a long time ago,
but it might be possible that John McNally would
remember this important event.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Jun 30, 2001 3:41 pm

Larry: I am still on the case and hope to be able to respond to this important question before the end of July 2001. Thanks for reminding me.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Sat Jun 30, 2001 7:06 pm

Thanks Peter, I hope he still remembers but wouldn't blame him if he doesn't! Do you know if he still has his Club 60? I had the chance(about
15 years ago) to buy the exact Club 60 like John's
and it was even in black which had to be really rare if the color was original. Wouldn't it be something if it was actually his old guitar?

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jul 31, 2001 12:24 pm

Larry: There is an article about John McNally's Hofner Club 60 posted on Needles and Pins today.