Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

When I posted I (and possibly my best friend) was going to see McGuinn, I heard the 370/12 will be present, but not played as much as his acoustics. Why is that?

I read this quote from Pete Townshend. Maybe McGuinn read it too?

"The strings are closely spaced on a narrow neck. The fingerboard is lightweight but superbly balanced. This suited my chordal style, and I invented several new chord shapes using that neck which have since become standard rock shapes. What falls under the fingers on a Rick might dislocate your hand on an old acoustic Martin. The lightweight neck allowed me to produce vibrato techniques by moving the neck backwards and forwards. This became another characteristic of my style. The weak points of the [Rickenbacker] guitars were that the necks would literally break off in my hand if I went too far."

Are you saying you suspect that McGuinn is worried about the neck breaking off in his hand?

Well, I don't think that, as he's played them for years. But I think his hands cramp when he plays his Martin, which is what Pete said.

You'll be fortunate if he uses his Rick at all. I've brought this up before on the forum, but a couple of years ago when I saw him, he didn't use the 370 at all. However, at the time he had just acquired his 7 string Martin, and he used it exclusively.

Perhaps the way that he hears the songs in his head now has changed to the acoustic rather than electric approach for which he is known. Seems like a lot of the artists of that era are still evolving their sounds.

lennon211 wrote:Perhaps the way that he hears the songs in his head now has changed to the acoustic rather than electric approach for which he is known. Seems like a lot of the artists of that era are still evolving their sounds.

Maybe, but I doubt it. I suspect two things:
1. he's returning to his roots. Remember, he's said frequently that he always considered himself to be a folk singer, and that the Byrds were a folk band
2. He has a new toy; his 7 string Martin. Who could blame him for playing that so much? I'd do exactly that, myself. Except where the venue allows, I'll be plugging in my new Rick, and not playing my S.L. Mossman acoustic.

JimK

or

3. He's bored sh!tless with these songs and finds doing them differently and accoustically offers fresh insight.

I buy John's theory.

johnallg wrote:or

3. He's bored sh!tless with these songs and finds doing them differently and accoustically offers fresh insight.

I have agree wholeheartedly same could be said in history about Townsend, Lennon and Weller.A change of instrument is good for the soul!People evolve as do their songs.

My comment, though posted in a jesting way, is a probability. I would imagine after up to 40 years with some of his songs that he is almost "trapped" into playing, though great songs, could get a little "stale" night after night after tour. Breathing new life into them (and him) by changing things up and instruments would keep him going and away from cynicism. IMHO

As your comment john was posted with jest nevertheless probability is probably near the truth Probably.

John,

That's my number one excuse for having so many guitars and basses, so I think you are probably right even if it was said in jest initially. A change of guitar (or bass for that matter) every once in a while is very refreshing and necessary.

I love the Who, but Towndsend is always claiming to have invented guitar playing, rock and roll, Jimi Hendrix's schtick, the Telecaster, the SG speicial, the outdoor concert, etc.... only SOME of it is true

johnallg wrote:My comment, though posted in a jesting way, is a probability. I would imagine after up to 40 years with some of his songs that he is almost "trapped" into playing, though great songs, could get a little "stale" night after night after tour. Breathing new life into them (and him) by changing things up and instruments would keep him going and away from cynicism. IMHO

No doubt, John. I think I tried to say the same thing putting a more positive spin on it. I often wonderd how many times he could stand to play Mr. Tambourine Man without thinking "Awww geez, again? Go buy the stinkin' record!"

OTH, some of his trad. folk stuff he learned 50 years ago at the Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music. I dunno....


JimK

I've seen Roger McGuinn a few times, most recently this past January. The first time I saw him, he played the 370/12 a lot, and it was excruciatingly trebly (which may have been the soundman's fault) and frankly too much of a good thing. The 370/12 just isn't an instrument that can accompany a solo singer for an entire show. It just isn't. Sure it sounds good for a few songs, or with a band, but alone, for an hour and a half or whatever? Nah. I suspect McGuinn knows that too and thus - the Martin 7-string. Also, he's going a kind of 'storyteller' show, so there is a return to his folk roots as well.