Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul: A while back you were interested in seeing a picture of Denny Laine (circa 1967) with his 1998. Here it is with its custom paint. Enjoy!

That's very cool. Do you recall the color scheme? It looks Jetglo/white...

Paul: I think it's safe to assume that Denny's guitar started out at the same '64 RM1998 (although I can't make out the F-hole) that he played on so many television performances with The Moody Blues. It seems that British Invasion artists didn't accumulate a lot of guitars, with Pete Townshend being the notable exception. But then we know why he went through so many. I agree that it looks like a Jetglo respray with white swirls. I wonder if the whole guitar was repainted or just the face. Note the missing Accent vibrato arm and the roller bridge detail. I've never seen a color shot of this guitar. Here's a shot of Pete with an RM1993 from the same book, 'British Beat 1960-1969' by Terry Rawlings (Omnibus Press, 2002). Look at Pete's socks!:

And Ox with a RM1999 bass, too.

Great shots. I wish we could see more of the instruments though. John Entwhistle played some cool basses over the years.

Daniel: I did a little surfing today and found that Denny moved to the States in 1997. He has a website that plays a recording of 'Catherine's Wheel'. This is the only picture I've ever seen of his psychedelic Rick.

Daniel: I was tempted to email him. I was going to ask him about the 1998, what he thought of it, details about the color scheme, and its current whereabouts (if known). Please let me know what you find out.

Very cool. Need more pics of the painted guitar.

Daniel: I was listening to Denny's 'Say You Don't Mind' this morning, and it sounds so much like The Move to me. Which seems like more than a coincidence for the following reasons:

1) When Denny went solo his band (uncredited on the singles) was called the Electric String Band. I've heard that he was interested in electrified orchestra instruments, but it doesn't feature in these recordings.

2) The Moody Blues, The Move and Idle Race were all bands from Birmingham (Brummies) and no doubt knew each other.

3) Jeff Lynne left Idle Race to join Roy Wood in The Move. Later Jeff and Roy started the Electric Light Orchestra as a side project. Eventually they left The Move for ELO, but Roy Wood soon went solo.

4) 'Say You Don't Mind' sounds like The Move circa 1968.

Is this all a coincidence? I would ask Denny if I had the chance.

Denny's playing a gig here (NYC) soon. Not sure he'll play a Rick or not.