Mystery '66 335 Owner - Southside Johnny or Little Steven?
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 12:05 pm
Here's a story that I was told about my 1966 Rickenbacker 335. In 1985 I purchased it used from a small store in northern NJ, Ackerman's Music in Midland Park. The store has since moved. The store carried a number of used Rickenbackers, including a double neck. I couldn't imagine who would want that (at the time). After I purchased it for $550, the owner of the store told me that "by the way, that guitar came from Southside Johnny and the Jukes". I didn't know who they were, and didn't really think about it for awhile. Once I realized they were a jersey shore band, I really didn't care, either. I was a teenager who was into Tom Petty and REM and this was my first Rickenbacker.
Not long after, I returned to the store to ask about having a couple of cracks that were on the guitar repaired. The cracks were there when I bought it. I never looked inside to see that one had already been braced, which I found out later. The owner of Ackerman's referred me to a guy down at the shore named Phil Petillo. I called Mr. Petillo (I was 17, so it was "Mr.") and I spoke with him about the guitar. He said to bring it down and he would look at it. He gave me directions and I set a time. Whatever happened, I don't remember, but I didn't keep the appointment and never went.
Upon reflection of the store owner's comment after I purchased the guitar, and his knowledge of Petillo (he had his number), and Petillo's connection with the music scene at the shore - specifically the artists who could have owned this guitar (including Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen who worked closely with Petillo) - I am now thinking that it is entirely possible that this guitar was owned, broken, repaired, and ultimately sold by someone associated with Southside Johnny. The only player I can think of who played a Rickenbacker in that band is Steven Van Zandt. When I bought the guitar, it had the original lower guard and no upper guard. Also, the tuners were replaced with Grovers. I know this is a common mod, but I would think more likely with a pro player.
So that's the story. If true, it would certainly make the guitar more interesting, although, despite it's rough shape, is already my favorite Rick (of 4) and of special meaning because it was my first real electric guitar and one that I played in my first band.
Not long after, I returned to the store to ask about having a couple of cracks that were on the guitar repaired. The cracks were there when I bought it. I never looked inside to see that one had already been braced, which I found out later. The owner of Ackerman's referred me to a guy down at the shore named Phil Petillo. I called Mr. Petillo (I was 17, so it was "Mr.") and I spoke with him about the guitar. He said to bring it down and he would look at it. He gave me directions and I set a time. Whatever happened, I don't remember, but I didn't keep the appointment and never went.
Upon reflection of the store owner's comment after I purchased the guitar, and his knowledge of Petillo (he had his number), and Petillo's connection with the music scene at the shore - specifically the artists who could have owned this guitar (including Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen who worked closely with Petillo) - I am now thinking that it is entirely possible that this guitar was owned, broken, repaired, and ultimately sold by someone associated with Southside Johnny. The only player I can think of who played a Rickenbacker in that band is Steven Van Zandt. When I bought the guitar, it had the original lower guard and no upper guard. Also, the tuners were replaced with Grovers. I know this is a common mod, but I would think more likely with a pro player.
So that's the story. If true, it would certainly make the guitar more interesting, although, despite it's rough shape, is already my favorite Rick (of 4) and of special meaning because it was my first real electric guitar and one that I played in my first band.
