Page 1 of 5

What guitar on Day Tripper?

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:57 pm
by kkm
What guitar plays the famous riff? Does anyone know for sure?

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:00 pm
by craviola990
Almost positive it's one of the Sonic Blue Strats double tracked. The solo in B I think is either George's SG or ES-345 (Maybe the Casino or Gentleman?) Almost positive the main riff is the Strat. Thanks! Christian

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:08 pm
by jwh
I always thought George played it on his Gretsch Tennessean.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:54 pm
by jingle_jangle
And I can get that sound exactly on my 6120.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:13 pm
by bosifis
I could've sworn I heard it was a Casino...or was I thinking of Paperback Writer???

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:34 pm
by craviola990
I know John used a 6120 like Paul mentioned on "Paperback" (I think this was the only time the guitar was used) Casino & SG in the film, of course. We can all check, but I'm pretty sure that "Drive My Car", "Day Tripper", and "Nowhere Man" all feature Strats. When Day Tripper was recorded, I don't think (I underline the word think!), that George & John had their Casino's yet. I believe only Paul had a Casino during the making of Rubber Soul. The Casinos of course, are all over Revolver, and the '66 tour (You guys know that!) Thanks! Christian

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:50 pm
by shamustwin
The opening riff to me doesn't sound like a strat, but the solos do (when they go to B). I have a Casino and a strat and used to play a '60's tenny, I'd guess a Gretsch was most able to make the opening riff sound

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:03 pm
by kkm
they had a 6120? do u mean the tennessean?

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:35 pm
by jwh
A 6120 is a Gretsch "Nashville".

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:37 pm
by craviola990
It was a 6120 (I think Paul Wilczynski could tell you more; he seems very knowledgeable!) It had that Chet Atkins "Carrot Orange" finish, and there are only a very few studio shots of John holding it. Best, Christian

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:54 am
by larrywassgren
To me it sounds like the Tennessean in the bridge position through an AC-30.

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:59 am
by Scastles
I believe Larry is right. It's the Tennessean.

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:14 am
by brammy
for what its worth, here are two pix from the lip-synched Day Tripper promo video. The Beatles did two versions of this video, one with the black shirts and one with light colored jackets (where Ringo played with the wood saw). George used the same guitar for both. As for the studio recording, could have been something else.

Image Image

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:20 am
by beefandbones
I've always thought it was the ES-345 on Day Tripper as well, but as far as relying on the video evidence goes, remember that Paul used his Hofner in the Paperback Writer and Rain promotional videos, too, so you never know...

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:46 am
by craviola990
Hi Guys- Here's the picture of John with his 6120; I think "Paperback" was the only time it was used. Thanks! ChristianImage