Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Don't think I've seen this posted here, though it may have. The MC5 doing a John Lee Hooker song. Looks like a 425/12 into an Orange.

That's the best-sounding thing I've heard from the MC5! I wasn't a big fan of theirs back in the day--all I'd heard was their more punk/atonal stuff like Kick Out The Jams, which I don't care for--so I haven't listened to much of their stuff, but if that clip's any indication, they were a pretty decent blues band. Looks like that Rick's got humbuckers, and it sounds like it might have only six strings on it. It's a 450-12, by the way--the 425 had only one pickup, and I don't think they ever made a 425-12.

Motor City Is Burning! This was at the end of the MC5's career when they added Derek Hughes on bass from Birmingham, UK. Still great!

Their version of this old John Lee Hooker tune, is always SO COOL to hear!

jfine wrote:That's the best-sounding thing I've heard from the MC5! I wasn't a big fan of theirs back in the day--all I'd heard was their more punk/atonal stuff like Kick Out The Jams, which I don't care for--so I haven't listened to much of their stuff, but if that clip's any indication, they were a pretty decent blues band. Looks like that Rick's got humbuckers, and it sounds like it might have only six strings on it. It's a 450-12, by the way--the 425 had only one pickup, and I don't think they ever made a 425-12...

You're right about the humbuckers and it being played as a six string. I think that particular guitar is now owned by Patti Smith. This guitar inspired MC5 disciple Chris Masuak to do the same with his Ric in Radio Birdman. Brad Shepherd from the Hoodoo Gurus also bought one and tricked it out in the same way. Brad switched his back, because in his words "it sounded like sh*t".

Chrome Aardvark wrote:You're right about the humbuckers and it being played as a six string. I think that particular guitar is now owned by Patti Smith.

It makes sense to me. After all, she was Fred Smith's wife (her maiden name was also Smith). I think that remained Fred's main guitar (even after the MC5 called it quits), till the day he died in 1994.

Chrome Aardvark wrote: This guitar inspired MC5 disciple Chris Masuak to do the same with his Ric in Radio Birdman. Brad Shepherd from the Hoodoo Gurus also bought one and tricked it out in the same way. Brad switched his back, because in his words "it sounded like sh*t".

I've read comments on other forums, from players, who have used 12s as 6-strings, and stated that in their opinions, they didn't sound so good as 6-strings.

Looks like the other guitarist is using an old Epiphone Wilshire!

And I just looked out my window, the Motor City is not currently burning.

atomic_punk wrote:And I just looked out my window, the Motor City is not currently burning.

Man, but your hometown kept kickass music alive back then! Thanks!

atomic_punk wrote:Looks like the other guitarist is using an old Epiphone Wilshire!

And I just looked out my window, the Motor City is not currently burning.

Even if it DID burn - it would rise from the ashes! The "other" guitarist was my idol as a teenager (I know, not a very good youth role model) - I wanted a Wilshire so bad, but when my grandfather took me to a pawn shop and helped me trade my trombone for it, I settled for a look-alike '68 Gretsch Corvette w/ single bridge pickup (6132) - my first "real" guitar.

The MC5 played an astounding show in Winston-Salem just before High Time came out, and a friend of mine went over the the ancient coliseum in the afternoon and found the band out back playing baseball. Therefore I was able to get back stage and actually touch Wayne Kramer's Epiphone, which had completely rusty strings, which needless to say, didn't slow him down one bit, he was just incredible. I always think of this when I encounter people who change their strings all the time... Anyway, Fred was playing the little Rickenbacker, coil cord into a totally beat 100w Marshall, total rock power!

Here's a clip with some Rickys!

Good Lord. I rarely comment on these sorts of threads.

But the MC-5 was the house band of those of us who, while respecting & loving the Flower Power groove, still were teenaged boys. And were teenaged boys about to be drafted and sent over to Vietnam.

Rock 'em back, Sonic! Their influence on Rock 'n' Roll music must not be forgotten.

Raw power! I love these guys! Awesome that they're using a Rickie too!

One of the all time best American bands. They had it all. And they inspired so many other groups. Mine too.