~ Frank Allen Talks Rickenbackers ~

To everyone out there who owns, loves or simply cherishes Rickenbacker guitars, I want to say on behalf of The Searchers that we're with you all the way. We share your admiration of this beautiful and iconic marque. Rickenbacker stands for history, distinction and quality. May they flourish and grow as long as guitars are played. Frank Allen on behalf of The Searchers in 1999 (John McNally, Frank Allen, Spencer James and Eddie Rothe).

Question: Hi Frank. I have a quick question if you don't mind. I know your cherry red Gibson SG bass is in Iceland, but I also have a photo of you when Billy Adamson was the drummer, and you have a Rickenbacker 4001 bass, and your "partner in musical crime" John McNally has a 600 series Rickenbacker 6 string. Wendy has informed me that you now play ESP guitars designed for you by a company in the UK. Since these guitars are not well known in the States, I wonder if you can tell me more about them, and how your bass compares to the Rickenbacker or the Gibson.

Answer: Hi Gary, ESP is actually a Japanese company, who in the early/mid 90s had their main distributor based in Germany and a representative in London (both since closed down). The deal for the guitars was arranged for us by a guy at their London office, who Wendy met at a couple of our shows, which is why she thought it was a UK company. He suggested that ESP should make a special set of guitars for The Searchers for our 30th anniversary. Mine is a precision bass. John had two - a 6-string and a 12-string in a Telecaster shape: he alternates the use of these with his Rickenbacker. Spencer didn't have a complete new guitar - just a new neck for his synthesiser guitar. I use my ESP most of the time - not because I prefer it to my Rickenbacker, but because I don't like to risk my Rickenbacker - which is more valuable - out on the road too much.