Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm on a real James Burton kick lately

JimK

That's a thick-looking Ric!

And what a gorgeous reverb on Ricky's lead vocal.

I believe James is playing a 381 prototype with an F-hole in that clip.

I thought it was a 360F. Now I'm not certain.
JimK

Jim, notice that the guitar he's playing here has two cutaways. A 360F is a traditional single cutaway, like a Gretsch, with a BIG 17" body.

Yep, it's a 381. There's a picture in the Smith book of Burton holding the same guitar.

All right, then. Thanks.
JimK

Time for a James Burton Limited Edition?

Manta

manta wrote:Time for a James Burton Limited Edition?

Manta

Doubtful! He only "field-tested" them and didn't like them all that much. He's been a devout Telecaster user ever since and has had at least two signature Teles.

sloop_john_b wrote:Jim, notice that the guitar he's playing here has two cutaways. A 360F is a traditional single cutaway, like a Gretsch, with a BIG 17" body.

One can also see the German Carve, on the topside anyway, at thge very end when Burton turns the guitar to one side.

I got to meet James Burton once, in the 90s. We were both waiting in line for the valet at the Hollwood Bellage Hotel.

What a nice looking instrument. I wonder how many 381 models were made with an f-hole as seen in this clip? We have yet to see one in the Register. I watched this video long enough to have developed a fondness for this recording. Time to get the boxed set.

paologregorio wrote:One can also see the German Carve, on the topside anyway, at thge very end when Burton turns the guitar to one side.

Yeah, that sure is a split second of lighting that reveals it. A very cool guitar... I kind of find the weird smile on his face scary, though

Probably should have started this thread under "Rickenbacker Artists." But James Burton isn't exactly known as a Rickenbacker artist, strictly speaking. With that, here's another one with James on the 381

JimK

I like that one even better. Burton's pompadour is way cool!

James' sweet rockabilly licks on the latter number prove the versatility of Ricks for playing numerous genres of music.