Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone have any info on this model Melody Maker?



I have read interviews in which Joan Jet said this model was called a "California" Melody Maker and that she had bought it from one of The Raspberries roadies. I have never been able to find any referrance to this model on the Gibson website.

octagon wrote:Anyone have any info on this model Melody Maker?

Which one is the MM?

I am not familar with that model, but if it's from the 1980s, I would not be surprised that it (1) was made in small numbers, and (2) is not recognized as a specific model in the "reference" guides/books. I know this because I have a 1988 Gibson Les Paul Junior Pro Custom that is also not in the reference books:
I have seen only two others like mine for sale anywhere. IIRC, the story was that Gibson in the '80s made a lot of 'experimental' models in low numbers.

doctorwho wrote:I am not familar with that model, but if it's from the 1980s, I would not be surprised that it (1) was made in small numbers, and (2) is not recognized as a specific model in the "reference" guides/books. I know this because I have a 1988 Gibson Les Paul Junior Pro Custom that is also not in the reference books:

GibsonLPJrPC.jpg

I have seen only two others like mine for sale anywhere. IIRC, the story was that Gibson in the '80s made a lot of 'experimental' models in low numbers.

But that Raspberries video above was made around 1973.

It's the Joan Jett namesake MM and was available as recently as a couple of years ago as a standard issue model. I believe I saw them in the stores even last year. Double cutaway and humbuckers make this model like the one that she made famous. She gave her blessings and her name to the lot of them. They retailed for about $150 more than the standard MM I think.

Now that is a cool Gibson IMO

You can still buy them new. Here's a link to one at Musician's Friend online:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=515668
Note that unlike her own personal one, the signature model has only one humbucker.

octagon wrote:

"What a doll!"

doctorwho wrote:

octagon wrote:

"What a doll!"

octagon wrote:But that Raspberries video above was made around 1973.

That might be the nicest thing one could say about it.

It's an early 70s model, and I've seen ones like that she has used with clear cover humbuckers with the "square" looking pole pieces. Gibson did some SGs like that too, and some had slider switches as opposed to toggles. Modifications started really becoming popular in those days due to the availability of aftermarket parts, and her stage guitars may have been modded for hotter pickups, or even for humbuckers. Almost every MM, (I've known to be stock), that I've seen of that era had those non exposed pole piece solid black pickup covers and were single coil strat type.
Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please

whojamfan wrote:Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please

Here you are Mike. Just don't get the whole collection...

http://www.amazon.com/Barbie-Joan-Jett- ... B002IB7Q0G

tmossman wrote:

whojamfan wrote:Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please

Here you are Mike. Just don't get the whole collection...

http://www.amazon.com/Barbie-Joan-Jett- ... B002IB7Q0G

Holy Moly-that's way too much money for a stupid Barbie-sheesh

whojamfan wrote:

tmossman wrote:

whojamfan wrote:Mitch, I want that doll, send me a link or info on where to get one please

Here you are Mike. Just don't get the whole collection...

http://www.amazon.com/Barbie-Joan-Jett- ... B002IB7Q0G

Holy Moly-that's way too much money for a stupid Barbie-sheesh

+1 !!!!!!!!!!