Who played 330s in the '60s?

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:17 pm

John Hall has often stated that the model 330 is currently the top selling 6-string Rickenbacker by far. Yet, I can't think of a single high profile musician who used one in the '60s!

It seems that the 360, 365 and 360/12 were the Ricks of choice back then. I've never even seen a photo of an obscure '60s garage band with a 330. The only 365 player I've ever seen in a '60s band photo was the little known (yet brilliant) San Mateo, CA guitarist Rich Martin of the band Powder, circa 1967-68.

I find it very odd, considering the 330's current popularity, that there is little evidence of it being used by guitarists in the '60s. I can't think of any popular musician who used one prior to Paul Weller's emergence in 1977.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:07 pm

There ya go! The Chocolate Watch Band. Nothing says high profile musician quite like that.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:59 pm

We've always considered a 1997 to be a 330 type instrument. Now Who was that guy that played one of those? He musta been a klutz because he kept dropping them.

woodsgirl · Post by **woodsgirl** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:24 pm

Oh, Mr Hall, you mean this unknown?
http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/rick.htm

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:22 pm

The 330 is priced right and shares the "old-style" 360 body shape.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:18 pm

The Animals, The Zombies, The Merseybeats,...

myfretless · Post by **myfretless** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:41 am

I would guess 330 buyers might like the fact that the Jam, the Smiths, the Fall, U2, XTC, Squeeze, Radiohead, Coldplay and other high profile brit guitar pop bands like and use the 330.
I would guess that '60's geeks would prefer the V and C series issues.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:01 am

The Koobas, The Action, The Syn, Herman's Hermits, The Moody Blues, The Birds,...

myfretless · Post by **myfretless** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:28 pm

Oh yeah, totally forgot about Peter Banks.

chefothefuture · Post by **chefothefuture** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 11:11 pm

I thought that that klutz with the bloomin' great hooter used a 1998....

Along those lines, the guy from the Castaways used one.

eggman · Post by **eggman** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:58 am

Howdy,

Denny Laine (Moody Blues) used what was, essentially a 330. The 330 is to me, a virtual full-sized version of John's little 325. Oh I know the differences, but compared to a 620 or 360 (rounded cut-away version) it's pretty close, and stunning in it's own rite.

Eggman

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:03 am

All those British guys you mentioned played Rose Morris models, which are not quite 330s (but close).

Circles - You are correct about Sean Tolby of the Chocolate Watch Band with the mapleglo 330/12. (I have the same model - a '66!)