Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

How many here like Rickenbackers but have not been influenced into that decision by the Beatles? I'm curious to see if that person exists.

I'd be curious too...
I remember being enamored of Paul's 4001 as a kid seeing the MMT vids.

I'm that person. I exist.

Me too. You actually asked two entirely different questions.

I like/love the Beatles.

They had nothing to do with my decision to buy my first Rick. They had even less than nothing to do with my decision to buy my other two.

oh ok, let me clear it up. the question is "Did you buy your Rick with no influence from the Beatles using them?"

in other words, im sure buying a 660 or 381 is totally independent purchase, but would you even have been looking at Rickenbackers if it wasnt for the Beatles?

Percy Faith sported one of an early album of his, and the guitarist for Doris Day was also a big influence on me, what with his 330.

Beatles came third, then the Byrds and the Jam...very tasty combo.

I didn't notice Rics until Chris Squire arrived, and then not until "The Yes Album." I play bass because of McCartney, and I briefly owned a Hofner (stolen) but I always played Fender -- until I got a 4001. Now I play a USA Lakland 5 string.

John was more influenced by Flatt and Scruggs, haha! Goldang!
I love The Beatles, always have, first heard of 4001's from Yes during the early 70's. Bought my first 4001 in 1977 and there were a million of them around at that time, my choice was independant of The Beatles as it was not exactly advertised during the Beatles and I was never a big Wings fan. When the salemen brought the mapleglo 4001 over to right out of the box he commented: "here just like McCartneys", this was news to me. I think I vaguely knew he played them but didn't connect the two. I think I bought my first one because besides the looks there was something really cool about them. I think the fact that everyone took off the covers and there was a black mysterious hole where the treble pickup was influenced me believe it or not. I still like the looks of them best with just a black high gain and no cover. I also was really into the RW sound at that time and Rotos were THE string.

Squire and Geddy Lee. I DID buy my Hofner due to McCartney, but I have always like the looks and sound of Rickenbacker instruments, regardless of who played them...

I bought my first (a used 4001, in the early '70's) because of Squire, though I've been a huge Beatle fan from the get go. In spite of MMT, I was unaware Mac used one. My first real 6 stringer was a '64 strat (used, cheap) influenced 100% by Hendrix. When I started bass again, my 4001 was long gone, so I was looking in a used guitar shop (Sol Betnun's - anyone in So Cal remember?) There was this old bass the likes I'd never seen before...and cheap (early '80's). But the main reason I bought it was it looked Beatle-y. I passed many 4001's in this shop to buy the fab looking 1967 4005 for 250 bucks. Had to order a case separately from the Rickenbacker factory. Barely fit in the front seat of my Karmann Ghia.

Yes, I'll have to admit I was definitely influenced in my decisions to purchase my Ricks by the Beatles. I remember long ago back in '64 when I first saw them on TV I was immediately drawn to John's 325. Thought I'll have to have one of those, you know. Well, many years later I was able to purchase one, but interestingly enough my first Rick was a 4001 because of the Macca connection, not because of his use of it during his Beatle years, but his Solo & Wings periods. I still consider the Hofner the most recognized Beatle Bass.

I have always been a huge Beatles fan but it was Squire, Entwistle, and Dee Murray that got me into playing bass, and I got a Ric because of Squire's tone and the cool look of his bass. I didn't even associate McCartney with a Ric then, even tho' his use of one is huge to me now.

John Lennon inspired me to want to play guitar after seeing A Hard Day's Night on TV in 1973 (when I was seven). His 325 was distinctive enough for me to know what to look for at the local music shop, but my Dad wouldn't even think twice about buying one for me.

In 1985 I specifically bought a 360/12 (1966 MG), though , because of McGuinn.

I have different answers for guitar vs bass.

I grew up with the Beatles but never was into what kind of gear they played. I got into prog rock as a teenager and became aware of what a 4001 was from Chris Squire. I loved Squire's tone and style but it wasn't how I wanted to sound. When I made the connection that Paul played one of those 4001's on Sgt Peppers & MMT...that was it for me!

For guitar, the Peter Buck/early REM sound led me to the "jangly" thing that's so magical. I love it all but my favourite Beatles era is the SP/MMT/WhiteAlbum and by then George & John weren't really relying on their Rics anymore.

So my purchase of a 4001 was definitely because of the Beatles. If I'd hated the Beatles (how can I utter such sacrilege!) I still would've bought my 620/12 and 360.

Dee Murray! A great, great bassist. Have you ever heard Elton's "11-17-70" LP? A live radio broadcast with just Elton, Dee & Nigel Olson. Fantastic, rockin' set. Dee played so melodically and could be alternately funky or prog. "Tumbleweed Connection" is another favorite. Sadly missed, Dee is.