Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

In reflecting on those guitars that George Harrison played over the years, with which one do you suppose he will be most associated. While the Rickenbacker 360/12 in Fireglo is perhaps dearest to my heart, were others such as the Gretsch Duojet in black finish more readily identifiable with George?

That's a tough one, Peter... I guess it would depend on what period you concentrate on, but his Rickenbacker 12-string(s) loom quite large in his (and our) history. I think of 'Rocky' as well as his Tennesseean. The Duo-jet, without a doubt--since he used it on 'Cloud Nine'.....

I'd say the 360/12 just from a historical perspective. I mean everybody on this board I'd say counts the Beatles as a pretty seminal influence in some aspect of their music. George put the 12 string on the map, so that folks like McGuinn could run with it where they pleased.

I have been amazed at the lack of attention George's 360/12 has received in the past few months. Especially in guitar magazines. A mere mention is mostly what I've seen. How many of his other guitars had a similar impact?

Even though I love Ricks, I would say his Gretsch Country Gentleman (Ed Sullivan Show) or Gretsch Tenessean (Shea/Help!).

I always called the Gretsch the "George Harrison" guitar and when I bought a Gretsch it had to be just like the one George had. I mostly wanted the Rick because of The Byrds. In retrospect there is a lot of Rick in Beatle songs, but it is used in a more subtle way that RM did with The Byrds. For this reason a lot of folks say GH = Gretsch and RM = Rick 12 string. Sure I know GH inspired RM with his guitar, but that is how I see it.

I have to add a vote for the Gretsch 6122 (Country Gentleman)

I read of the Beatles Gear book put out late last year, demonstrates how it varied over time with George's guitar choices.
*62/63 : Gretsch duo-jet, ric 452
*63/64 : Gretsches (2 country gents, tennesean), the 360/12
*64/66 : Gretsches & Rics are at the forefront, but slow become replaced by the epiphone casino, the stratocaster, gibson 345 & sg. enter the sitar and the framus hootenany 12
*66/67 : george seems primarily into his casino & sg & strat.
*68 : SG & Les Paul seem to take the forefront as the group rocks out.
*69-70 : les paul, rosewood tele and gibson j-200

* post beatles : far more strat & telecaster (due to the slide guitar interest)

he made his sound and innovated it by using all these instruments. As memorable as many of those early tv clips are of him on a country gent or a ric 12, there are equally as important "sound memories" of him with other guitars : tuning to d with an SG on rain, day tripper on a strat, paperback writer on the gibson 345, late lead work on the les paul and tele through leslie speakers.

all that being said, it would be interesting to me to compare the number of early songs that he used on with one of the gretsches versus one of the rics.

I have not (sorry to say ) purchased the
GEAR book yet , but There is Strat from the 'Help' era onward ,on EVERY LP ...they played with the sound and more often than not I called the guitar model wrong for years.

Does this book say what was used on GetBack/Don't Let Me Down? JL is playing the Casino , but what about George?


It would be nice to know just what guitar were used for each track ...so one day soon I will get this book ...birthday coming in July , some one tell my wife.

Nevertheless, a lot of folks nowadays are buying that 6122 CG with the fake F holes because that is how GH introduced himself to the world. The Rick 12 is a close 2nd, then the Gibson J160E, and lastly the Casino. In my mind those are Beatle guitars. The strats, the teles, and the SG/Lespauls are not seen as Beatle guitars by most folks I know. Perhpas the reason is that they stopped touring. Check out The Fab Four gear giveaway and see what the prices are.

Mark, the book has lots of details but, I wanted more. In any event I never knew they used Selmer amps and that they had turned down an endorsement for Rick amps do to loyalty to Vox.

Nevertheless, a lot of folks nowadays are buying that 6122 CG with the fake F holes because that is how GH introduced himself to the world. The Rick 12 is a close 2nd, then the Gibson J160E, and lastly the Casino. In my mind those are Beatle guitars.

While recognizing the legitimacy of all the other guitars the Beatles were ever seen with, I totally agree that likely in the majority of guitar players minds who started playing in '64 because of the Fab 4, These particular instruments are
THE QUINTESSENTIAL BEATLES GUITARS. PERIOD.

What about his ukulele?

Gretsch fans out there won't like me for saying this, but I've never liked Gretsch guitars even a little bit. In fact, I cringe to think that George may actually have preferred his Gretsch models over the Rics. The Ric 12-string will ALWAYS be first and foremost in my mind as "The George Harrison" model. However, I like most of the other electrics he played, especially the Epiphone Casino. I have no problem with any of the Fender & Gibson models he played, I've always been a fan of those guitars as well. But I'll never be an admirer of any of the Gretsch models.

Mark: Harrison is playing that GORGEOUS all-Rosewood Telecaster on "Get Back" in the "Let It Be" movie, but I have no idea if he's playing it in the studio version of that song. I'm equally clueless what he's playing in "Don't Let Me Down". It seems that I've seen some pics/film footage of John playing a white hollow-body electric, but I couldn't tell if it was one of the Gibsons (Sheraton? ES 335?) or possibly one of the Gretsch models (White Falcon?). Anyone know?

Julio: Are you positive that Rickenbacker offered to pay The Beatles to endorse & use their amps? If so, that is very surprising. I've never heard that Rickenbacker ever offered to pay ANYONE to endorse anything with the Ric name on it. Sure, Rickenbacker has provided instruments (and amps?) gratis to various high profile musical artists, but that's the extent of any endorsement arrangements that I've heard about. Perhaps others here have any additional information on this subject?

As far as The Beatles turning down the opportunity to use Ric amps, I'm guessing it's due to one, or both, of the following: they truly preferred the tone of the Vox amps. Or Vox made a sweeter offer than Rickenbacker. Also, I'm thinking someone posted elsewhere in the forum that Brian Epstein locked the band into a deal with Vox that they weren't entirely happy about. Supposedly The Beatles strongly preferred Fender amps. Anyone here remember that particular post?

I always thought GH used a Gretsch in "Honey Don't", "I'm a Loser", "I Don't Want to Spoil The Party" and of course "Act Naturally" (Ed Sullivan Show). Not a bad sounding guitar-- not a Fender, A Rick or a Gibson. Just watch Seltzer play it. How about Stephen Stills?

The info regarding the rejection of Rick amps is from the Beatles gear book. It is true the manager had them tied down to Vox, or they had loyalty to them. IN the beginning they only got free amps as payment for the endorsement. Then they played Super-Beatle amps with NO TUBES when they toured America!

A gretsch in th ehands of Mr Stills or Mr Setzer is a thing of beauty ...Chet was no slouch with one either .

I have had several , and I approach my Gretsch in the Stills point of view.
For tone , check out any of these songs featuring him ;
Just a song Before I go ,
It Doesn't Matter,
Relaxing Town,
The Treasure ,
Everybody I love you,
Almost Cut My Hair,
Ohio. these are just some of the Gretsch played tunes.

Setzer is going for a totally different tone /approach .I love both .

BOTH play through blonde Fender Bassmans ...Wild to think they sound that different.