Although there have been no pictures found yet portraying Jimi Hendrix playing Rickenbackers
there is a most interesting article in the "Guitar Player" (1975) entitled "Guitars, Amps, and Devices: The
equipment of Jimi Hendrix". The article documents a clear connection between Hendrix and Rickenbackers, an association that is
not readily known by many Hendrix fans or even tried and true Rickenbacker enthusiasts for that matter.
A single paragraph from the article singles out his connection with Rickenbackers. "Once Jimi became wealthy enough to buy
whatever he needed, his accumulation of instruments began. Henry Goldrich of Manny's recalls selling him
everything from a Gibson 330 to a Firebird to a Mosrite double-cutaway electric dobro (which he dropped and
broke the same night he purchased it.) Other guitars were: A Guild 12-string acoustic; a Gibson stereo; an
Acoustic Black Widow (Mr. Hendrix salvaged it); two Hagstrom 8-string basses (Jimi played them on "Spanish
Castle Magic" on Axis: Bold as Love); three Rickenbackers - a bass, a 6-, and a 12-string guitar; a Gibson Dove acoustic;
a Martin, new when bought; and an old Hofner electric. Eric Barrett adds that Jimi generally had more than one
of everything except the Rickenbackers.
Note: Manny's refers to Manny's 48th Street Musical Instruments Store
in New York City "Jimi's Favorite Shop". Many thanks to Richard Lujan for remembering this fine article.
