George Harrison Signature Series

jaybyrd · Post by **jaybyrd** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 5:27 pm

I've often wondered why RIC never offered a GH signature guitar. At least, I have never heard of it if they did. Certainly his 12 string 360 was at least the second most popular Rickenbacker next to John's 325. Does anyone know?

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 5:51 pm

You make a heckuva good point! I'd always thought of the 360/12V64 as the unofficial George Harrison model, and I believe most Rickenbacker aficionados think likewise. But you know, it would be a great way to remember Harrison for John Hall to officially designate the newly revamped re-issue 12-string as the George Harrison model. Would anyone else here like to see that happen? I realize there would be legalities to sort through with Harrison's family and estate, but I can't imagine there would be any major roadblocks in honoring a man who did so much to popularize Rickenbackers. Harrison was a very good human being and deserves to have his own posthumous signature series. Perhaps in a few years........

corey · Post by **corey** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 6:47 pm

The thing about George is that he was "The quiet Beatle"... I think it makes more sense for all of us to know the 360/12C63 is "George's model" without having to stamp his name on it posthumously.

I ordered my 360/12 in Fireglo in part because I thought "Hey, that's how George's was"...

I respectfully think that's about all the fuss George would want.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 2:56 am

If you think about it, every guitar that The Beatles played regularly tend to be thought of since and now as 'signiture models'....Gretsch, Gibson and Hofner, Epiphone and Rickenbacker---they're all out there...but I guess RIC started the trend with the semi-famous 'B' series in the early eighties. Some have their names on them, some don't... but officially and unofficially they will ALWAYS be 'Beatle' instruments.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 8:15 am

I think if George would have ever endorsed or allowed his name to be put on a guitar, it more than likely would have been a Gretsch. He had stated in many interviews his love of those instruments, particularly his '57 black Duojet.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 8:51 am

Jeff, I think they re-released George's Duo-jet recently (albeit not as a signiture model)--it wasn't long ago that one appeared on ebay; They are really cool !!!

musicfan37 · Post by **musicfan37** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 3:07 pm

I thought it was strange Rickenbacker hadn't released a "George Harrison" model, but then I thought maybe George didn't want to have one.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 4:14 pm

I have a Beatles magazine from late '63 in which George states, "After all that has happened to us we've not many ambitions yet unfulfilled. I have one, though - to design a guitar myself, and have it called 'The Harrison'. I'd like to play as well as Duane Eddy or Chet Atkins. And I wish I could compose like John and Paul." George definitely was a guitar maniac(like the rest of us) all his life. Back in '63 it must have seemed like a great idea. But I think after he got a little older he probably wouldn't want his name printed on a guitar. It does seem cooler to just look at a guitar and 'think' George Harrison rather than have to put your name on the pickgaurd. Everyone knows a 360/12 O.S. in fire-glo is 'The Harrison' guitar and it doesn't get much cooler than that. Just my 2 cents.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 5:09 am

I often wonder, if it weren't for The Beatles where would Rickenbacker, Hofner, and Gretsch stand today? This is often a favorite topic among my other guitar playing friends. Comments?

corey · Post by **corey** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 5:55 am

Well, Gretsch had Duane Eddy, correct? I think they would have been okay.

Ric probably would have been okay too. That jangle of their instruments was all over the place in the 60's. The Beatles made it famous, but lots of other people were on similar sonic paths, I think.

It's interesting to think about what other types of models Ric would have made if the Beatles had never been. What I mean is, without the Beatles influence, maybe Ric would have had more freedom (and success) with different models, like the 200 series, for example. I mean, the 325 probably wouldn't even be around today if John Lennon had never bought one.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 7:36 am

Jeff: The whole music industry in general got a huge lift from The Beatles...not only the companies you mentioned that were most directly associated with them, but just think how many people were inspired by The Beatles just to play music, period. If they didn't buy a Rickenbacker, Hofner, Vox or Gretsch or Ludwig drums they bought something----just by getting the bug to play and be a part of it all.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 7:50 pm

I've heard that the reason McCartney wouldn't do a signature bass was simply his reluctance to endorse any products. It seems to come from the Beatles being screwed in the early days. I imagine that Harrison didn't lend his name to the 360/12 for the same reason. If John had lived, I doubt he would have agreed to the re-issue bearing his name.

carr · Post by **carr** » Sat Mar 16, 2002 2:28 pm

If you read ( and believe) the story about the way the licensing of the Beatles name was handled by Epstein it may explain their reluctance to be involved. They may also have been contractually unable to be involved. I think it was described in Peter Browns " The Love You Make"

John

markoz12 · Post by **markoz12** » Tue Jun 18, 2002 8:58 pm

I think it is a real shame that Fender have never released a replica Psychedelic Stratocaster like George's Magical Mystery Tour Strat (Rocky).
I have loved that guitar since a child and I eventually painted my own.
I think it looks amazing.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Jun 19, 2002 2:36 am

Actually, they did--or someone other than Fender, but I think they made it---I think most of them went to Japan, and they have come up for sale here and there.....looks cool.