Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all
There is a great aussie band named " You Am I", lead singer Tim Rogers. Have you guys in the states ever heard of them. He plays a 360F, custom made by sydney luthier to the stars, piers crocker. he has made five of them apparently (two twelve string versions included) all belonging to tim rogers or the rhythm guitarist davey lane. check out these photos. Have a look at the tail piece on the last one.
http://www.youami.net/images/live_photos_pages/2003-09-25_metro_loop07.htm
http://www.youami.net/images/live_photos_pages/2003-10-28_holygrail_07.htm
http://www.youami.net/images/live_photos_pages/2003-03-16_gihooleys_01.htm
I phoned piers crocker about making me one of these guitars. he said no!
dale if you read this post. were 360f's made the traditional way that a semi acoustic guitar would be made or using the normal rick way. ie hollowing our a solid piece of maple and gluing the back on?
Cheers
John

Welcome, John. This topic has been covered in a thread last March, I believe it was. I've also talked to Piers, although just for general information. I believe that he was unaware of Rickenbacker's policy on trade dress violation when he built the guitars that Tim plays. (The first one was not built for Tim, but as a trial piece, the other two were built at Tim's request.)

I also believe that Piers is now aware, hence his refusal to continue to build these beautiful instruments.

Paul, I wonder what the comparison between the F and the new Taylor would be like.....The TAYLOR is VERY accustic

What I would say about such comparisons is this: Both have their strong points and weak points; it's gonna be apples and oranges, and conclusions will play more to preferences than any sort of objective rating, except possibly "best overall".

Just one point, John. If it wasn't made by Rickenbacker, it isn't a 360F!! Neither Piers nor Tim (or anybody, for that matter) can legitimately call it that - it was referred to in earlier threads as a 'Crockenbacker'!

It's close enough for me! He He

I'd consider one, J.C. but I'd always refer to it as a "Crocker", not a Rickenbacker.

Thanks guys
I've seen piers' guitars played by heaps of people. he makes violin bass guitar like hofners and also gretsch black penguins for johnny diesel. The headsock on the gretsch says "crotsch".
My band did the support gig for You Am I the day of that last last photo from the original posting. one of the crockenbackers had a headstock the same shape as a gretsch whiote falcon and did not have oven knobs on it. will try and get more photos of these guitars when they are in town next. tim is playing here wiht his other band this month.

Thanks, John. I've found precious little photographic evidence of these Crock-a-Backers in my searches. More, especially closeups, would be appreciated!

What I am getting at is the F and the new Taylors LOOK very similar in construction and what I gather........sound...

Watch the (wonderful) film 'Dirty Deeds' to see the Crockenbacker played live.
Fine, fine film.

That is exactly why I won't build these for sale. This is respect for the Rickenbacker company and name. As for the F models: they were made from 6/4 maple glued up and hollowed out from the back, then a 2 piece back was fitted and glued on.

I understand what you're saying, John and John, but Dale has given the definitive response:

R - E - S - P - E - C - T !

Apologies to Aretha!!

H

Thanks Dale.
I was always curious about how they were made. I would love to see a rick custom shop open up and make a limited run of 360f series. They are magnificent looking guitars.
Dale it's nice to see that you have John Hall's blessing making some Rickenbacker inspired guitars. I have owned two ricks, a 330/12 and a 370rm mg both of which I sold, (the 370rm ended back in the states, mike parks' store) such is the life. The cost of a new rick in australia is very expensive and being a father of three boys under five a little hard to justify at this stage of my life (considering I still own eleven guitars).
so making an electric guitar from scratch is very attractive at the moment for lots of reasons. starting some practice work on neck construction this week.
Cheers
John

The earlier '58 - '60 models had a top, a middle and a back.