The Black Keys Fan Lounge Forum

Okay this is not really TBK related. I mean, I know Hacienda paid Dan for doing their album for them with a Rickenbacker one time. At least that's what I read. I believe it was a Rickenback bass guitar though.

Anywho...

My wife wants to buy me my dream guitar for our next Anniversary. Only problem is, I don't know what my dream guitar is exactly. A Rickenbacker is definitely on my list but I don't know much about them. They're $2000+ new so I've never even played one. I know the specs though and it sounds like something I would really dig, so...

Anyone ever played them? Do they have any issues or quirks that are common/known for Rickenback guitars? Anything I should be aware of? Opinions? Advice?

(other contenders are a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top with P90 pickups, or maybe a Gibson Les Paul Custom with P90 pickups)

1969 Rickenbacker 325. In the hands of The Man (aka- John Fogerty)

I can't afford a vintage one though. I (we) certainly can't afford John Fogerty's actual guitar. LOL. But that's why I want one. Fogerty is my guitar idol. Well he and Jimi both are. But man that Rickenbacker with Bigsby... drooooool

I would like Dante's guitar. From Hacienda. He plays a Gibson Les Paul Custom with P90 pups. And his neck P90 is the legendary Gibson "staple" pickup with adjustable pole pieces. I don't know enough about guitars to say for sure, and I doubt his is worth $45,000 but it sure does look an awful lot like this one...
http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/electric/gibson-vintage-used/les-paul/gibson-les-paul-custom-ebony-1956/

So yeah, I'd like something like that. Dante's live tone through that thing is god-like. If that guitar could piss, it would piss excellence. But $45,000? I think Dante's must be a reissue or something because I just don't see him toting a $45k guitar around the country. I could be wrong though.

Gibson has some more affordable P90 Les Pauls nowadays. 50's and 60's tribute models and whatnot. I'd have to go sit and play them obviously. I think $2k is my absolute limit. The wife probably had no idea what the ceiling was when she said she wanted to buy me my dream guitar. I'd be looking for a well-cared-for used guitar ideally. But yeah, some kind of Gibson LP with P90 pups is probably #1 on top of my list. Then maybe a Rick or a Gibson 335 or a 330. That would be next.
http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/electric/gibson-vintage-used/es-330/gibson-es-330

From what I know about your taste, I feel like you'd get sick of a Rickenbacker after a while. Of course I only know you through forum posts, so I could be way off, haha.

That being said, they are beautiful guitars. Like Derek said, they have a distinct jangly sound. I dunno if I'd go as far as to say that they are one trip ponies, but they are definitely known for that single type of tone. They sound especially great clean with lots of reverb. It totally makes sense Fogerty would use one, think of Born on the Bayou. Combined with that tremelo effect, totally makes sense on a Rickenbacker. I'm not a fan of their dirty tone, too jangly for my taste, but they are capable of that too.

thats whos tone i think of when asked about rickenbackers.

woody, clean tones.

IMO, a p-90 pickup will offer more tonal variety. more snap, growl and bite when cranked up, but they can really clean up when the volume is rolled back.

i used to think a rickenbacker would be my dream guitar, until i played one. they are well-made instruments, and very distinct, but not for me. i tried a few models. the one common feature that bugged me: pencil-thin necks. i just never felt comfortable playing the neck. the lacquered fretboard was kinda weird too... but they did have gorgeous clean tones. nice and jangly, very expressive, very responsive. and the models with stereo output are too cool for school.

p.s. saw dan use one at a live show in dallas during the A&R tour. it will go down in history as my only tbk concert where i really did not dig the guitar tone... somethin' to think about!

Ran into this during my Gibson Goldtop photo quest. Thought it may do well here on the thread.

It's a shame stealing a guitar from a good musician. They probably just end up getting trashed or hung up on someone's wall and never getting played.
Famous Stolen Guitars - The Gear Page

LOHT773 - we gotsta talk more! Wild for CCR. Thanks for posting these vids. I'll resist the urge to write - what is it you all accuse me of? A dissertation? - on CCR... for now anyway.