Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Letter to my Girlfriend from the boxed set seems to sound like a hollowbody. Around the time SRV was usuing a Rick. ANY PICS?

This is from a Guitar Player magazine interview from October '84:

" Do you have any guitars not in the Strat family?

I have a 1958 Gibson dot-neck ES-335 and a '48 Airline that's a bit smaller but the same shape as a Barney Kessel Kay. It's got three pickups with a 4-position toggle switch -- bass, middle, treble, or all three. I've got an old Rickenbacker prototype with a flat top, and I'm giving that to Hubert. And I've got this 1928 National that belonged to Blind Boy Fuller. Byron Barr, my guitar roadie, gave it to me. Sometimes I'll pull it out at the end of a set and sit down and play "Rude Mood" or a little slide. I'd planned on using it on the last record, but we got sidetracked and never got around to it."

I know I've seen at least one picture of him with it, but I can't seem to find it. I'm pretty sure there was a thread about it at one time here on the forum as well. Try searching for it.

I have two photos....I'll post 'em tonight once I'm home from work. SRV played a '60 360 FG Capri.

... I've got an old Rickenbacker prototype with a flat top, and I'm giving that to Hubert. ...

I wonder if SRV was describing a 380 series acoustic and then I wonder if Hubert still has it.

Here are the SRV photos I promised.

Richard, I don't think SRV was referring to a 380 acoustic when he said "flat top". I'm positive he was referring to this Capri, which he gifted to Hubert Sumlin and was subsequently stolen not long after.

This photo was taken at The Rome Inn in 1979:-
The word "Stingray" was displayed on the rear of the body in reflecto-style lettering. If you happen to have such a Capri under your bed I'd be keen to hear from you!

Darren, those pictures have to be photoshopped; everyone knows you can't play the blues on a Rick!

Darren...Thanks, great photos.

John A, I'm not biting!!

rick_ovic wrote:John A, I'm not biting!!

I would think not! You've proved differently!

Is that a Tune-a-matic bridge? I swear I can see the thumbwheels...

Looks like it to me too. I wonder what he meant by "prototype"? Looks like a regular Capri to me.....

I stumbled across this photo of SRV and Hubert Sumlin last night. I've never seen this one before. What a beauty!

Hey, I thought you couldn't play blues on a Rick?!

I think Stevie could play the blues on ANYTHING.

johnallg wrote:Hey, I thought you couldn't play blues on a Rick?!

Sure John, just like you can't play country on a Rick.

JimK