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Rickenbacker 400 series: Difference between revisions

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Rickenbacker 400-Series Legacy: updated references.
Notable users: Removed WP:QUESTIONED or WP:UGC (tumblr) - single photos do not indicate notable use, but might be publicity props or single incidents or transient usage,
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==Notable users==
==Notable users==
*[[George Harrison]] of [[The Beatles]] (1962 Model 425 Serial #BH439)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rickresource.com/rrp/youwontseeme.html|title=You Won't See Me: George Harrison purchases a Rickenbacker|author=McCormack, Peter|date=18 December 1999}}</ref>
*[[George Harrison]] of [[The Beatles]] (1962 Model 425 Serial #BH439)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rickresource.com/rrp/youwontseeme.html|title=You Won't See Me: George Harrison purchases a Rickenbacker|author=McCormack, Peter|date=18 December 1999}}</ref>
*[[Courtney Love]] of [[Hole (band)|Hole]] (Model 420) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tumblr.com/search/rickenbacker%20425|title= Courtney Love + Rickenbacker 425 Tumblr Tribute Site}}</ref>
<!-- WP:QUESTIONED removed WP:UGC>*[[Courtney Love]] of [[Hole (band)|Hole]] (Model 420) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tumblr.com/search/rickenbacker%20425|title= Courtney Love + Rickenbacker 425 Tumblr Tribute Site}}</ref><!-->
* [[Toots Thielemans|Jean "Toots" Theilemans]] (Combo 400)<ref>{{cite book|title=The History of Rickenbacker Guitars|author=Smith, Richard R.|date=1987|publisher=Centerstream Publications|page=77|isbn=9780931759154|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NlscjoFVcs0C&pg=PA77}}</ref>
* [[Toots Thielemans|Jean "Toots" Theilemans]] (Combo 400)<ref>{{cite book|title=The History of Rickenbacker Guitars|author=Smith, Richard R.|date=1987|publisher=Centerstream Publications|page=77|isbn=9780931759154|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NlscjoFVcs0C&pg=PA77}}</ref>
*[[Chris Stein]] of [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] (1957 Combo 450 + Model 420)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitar-list.com/guitar-players/chris-stein|title= Guitar List Chris Stein}}</ref>
*[[Chris Stein]] of [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] (1957 Combo 450 + Model 420)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guitar-list.com/guitar-players/chris-stein|title= Guitar List Chris Stein}}</ref>
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*[[Robin Zander]] of [[Cheap Trick]] (1959 Model 450) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/GALLERY_Cheap_Trick_Touring_Gear_2012|title= Premier Guitar - Cheep Trick Touring Gear}}</ref>
*[[Robin Zander]] of [[Cheap Trick]] (1959 Model 450) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/GALLERY_Cheap_Trick_Touring_Gear_2012|title= Premier Guitar - Cheep Trick Touring Gear}}</ref>
*[[Tom Petty]] of [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]] (1964 Electro Model ES17) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/716-tom-petty-guitar-rig-gear-and-equipment|title= Tom Petty Guitars: Uber Pro-Audio}}</ref>
*[[Tom Petty]] of [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]] (1964 Electro Model ES17) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uberproaudio.com/who-plays-what/716-tom-petty-guitar-rig-gear-and-equipment|title= Tom Petty Guitars: Uber Pro-Audio}}</ref>
*[[Mark Knopfler]] of [[Dire Straights]] (Model 425 w/ Boyd Vibrato)<ref>http://www.oneverybootleg.nl/MK_guitars_rickenbacker.htm</ref>
<!-- WP:QUESTIONED A single photograph is not sufficient indication of notable use, Please replace the citation with an authoritative source.>*[[Mark Knopfler]] of [[Dire Straights]] (Model 425 w/ Boyd Vibrato)<ref>http://www.oneverybootleg.nl/MK_guitars_rickenbacker.htm</ref>
*[[Fred 'Sonic' Smith]] of the [[MC5]] (Model 450/12)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://equipboard.com/pros/fred-sonic-smith/rickenbacker-450-12|title=Fred Sonic Smith Equipboard|website=Equipboard|access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref>
*[[Fred 'Sonic' Smith]] of the [[MC5]] (Model 450/12)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://equipboard.com/pros/fred-sonic-smith/rickenbacker-450-12|title=Fred Sonic Smith Equipboard|website=Equipboard|access-date=27 April 2019}}</ref><!-->
*[[Serge Pizzorno]] of [[Kasabian]] (480 and 481 Models)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-kasabians-serge-pizzorno-on-songwriting-guitars-and-velociraptor-536516|title=Interview: Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno on songwriting, guitars and Velociraptor!|author=Bosso, Joe|date=26 March 2012}}</ref>
*[[Serge Pizzorno]] of [[Kasabian]] (480 and 481 Models)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-kasabians-serge-pizzorno-on-songwriting-guitars-and-velociraptor-536516|title=Interview: Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno on songwriting, guitars and Velociraptor!|author=Bosso, Joe|date=26 March 2012}}</ref>
*[[Kat Bjelland]] of [[Babes in Toyland (band)|Babes In Toyland]] (Model 420)<ref>Ogg, Alex (2000). ''[[Natural Babe Killers]]'' (CD [[liner notes]]). Babes in Toyland. United Kingdom: Snapper Music. [[OCLC]] 45369341</ref>
*[[Kat Bjelland]] of [[Babes in Toyland (band)|Babes In Toyland]] (Model 420)<ref>Ogg, Alex (2000). ''[[Natural Babe Killers]]'' (CD [[liner notes]]). Babes in Toyland. United Kingdom: Snapper Music. [[OCLC]] 45369341</ref>
*[[Viv Albertine]] of [[The Slits]] (Model 450) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://grrrlswithguitars.com/from-the-archives-an-interview-with-viv-albertine-of-the-slits/|title= Viv Albertine - Grrrls With Guitars}}</ref>
<!-- WP:QUESTIONED A single photograph is not sufficient indication of notable use, Please replace the citation with an authoritative source.>*[[Viv Albertine]] of [[The Slits]] (Model 450) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://grrrlswithguitars.com/from-the-archives-an-interview-with-viv-albertine-of-the-slits/|title= Viv Albertine - Grrrls With Guitars}}</ref><!-->
*[[Jane Wiedlin]] of [[The Go-Go's]] (1962 Model 425)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TheGoGos_0005.jpg|title= Go-Go's Showtime Documentary Publicity Photo}}</ref>
<!-- WP:QUESTIONED A single photograph is not sufficient indication of notable use, Please replace the citation with an authoritative source.>*[[Jane Wiedlin]] of [[The Go-Go's]] (1962 Model 425)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TheGoGos_0005.jpg|title= Go-Go's Showtime Documentary Publicity Photo}}</ref><!-->



==References==
==References==

Revision as of 02:16, 13 December 2020

A 1957 Rickenbacker combo 400 with "tulip" style cutaways, and an added bridge pickup.
A 1957 Rickenbacker combo 400 with "tulip" style cutaways.

The Rickenbacker 400-Series was a line of lower cost solid body electric guitars that Rickenbacker introduced in 1956.


'Combo 400-450 Series: 1956-1957

The 400 series initially consisted of the single pickup Combo 400 model introduced in 1956, which had distinctive Tulip style cutaways and the pickup at the neck position. [1]

In 1957 Rickenbacker unveiled a 2-pickup variant of the Combo 400 named the Combo 450. While the Combo 400 continued to come equipped with a DeArmond pickup, the Combo 450 marked the debut of the famed "toaster" pickup design.[2]

In 1958, Rickenbacker 400-series production waned. The Combo 400 appears to have been phased out entirely before the end of 1957. The Combo 450 continued to be made in 1958 albeit on a very limited basis.[3] 1958 serial-numbered Combo 450 guitars differ from earlier examples for how their bodies feature a transitional concave curve instead of a convex curve where the lower bought meets the neck joint. [4]

A 1966 Rickenbacker 450 12 string

Jazz Guitarist Jean "Toots" Theilemans was an early user and endorser of Rickenbacker guitars in the 1950s, using a Rickenbacker Combo 400 while playing as part of the George Shearing Quintet; this inspired a young John Lennon, a fan of Toots, to acquire a Rickenbacker for himself (a 325 model) while in Hamburg Germany in the early days of The Beatles.[5]

Hiatus: Mid-1958 to Late-1959

Rickenbacker serial numbers for solid body guitars made between September 1959 and October 1960 did not contain date code information.[6] Following the completion of a final few Combo 450 guitars in 1958, 400-series production would not resume until circa serial number 4C100, which is ascribed to September 1959.[7]

1960s

The most famous adopter of a 400-series Rickenbacker guitar remains George Harrison of The Beatles, who in 1963, bought a 1962 Model 425 serial #BH439 while on a trip to the USA. Prior to taking delivery of the instrument, George had its finish changed from Fireglo to Jetglo. George briefly toured with his 425 and is believed to have played it on the studio recording of I Want to Hold Your Hand. George Harrison's guitar, which predates the vibrato option, is alternately identified as being both a 425 (as 1962-1963 period Rickenbacker literature denotes his model) and also a 420 (as the non-vibrato variant of the 425 would later be renamed by Rickenbacker.)[8]

By 1964 Rickenbacker had become virtually synonymous with the electric twelve-string guitar. This same year, they introduced the Model 450/12, which was a 12 string version of the Model 450. The Model 456/12 soon followed, which was a Model 450/12 equipped with Rickenbacker's proprietary "converter comb" that allowed for the selection of octave strings to be muted.[9]

Rickenbacker 400-Series Legacy

In 1971 Rickenbacker introduced the more modern 430, (followed by a prototype deluxe 470 model which never saw commercial release) though this line was dropped in 1982. 1973 saw the arrival of the 480, which featured the Rickenbacker "R" style trapeze tailpiece, and an updated body style reminiscent of Rickenbacker's 4000 series of electric bass guitars. The 480 was discontinued on 1984.Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 152-153. However the 400 series were never as popular as other guitars and basses in Rickenbacker's line, such as the 300 series, and in the 1980s, apart from some vintage reissues of the 450, were dropped from production.[10]

Notable users

References

  1. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 142. ISBN 9780931759154.
  2. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 143. ISBN 9780931759154.
  3. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 236. ISBN 9780931759154.
  4. ^ "Ric Resources Registry".
  5. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 75. ISBN 9780931759154.
  6. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 226. ISBN 9780931759154.
  7. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 226. ISBN 9780931759154.
  8. ^ McCormack, Peter (18 December 1999). "You Won't See Me: George Harrison purchases a Rickenbacker".
  9. ^ "Vintage Guitars Info's Rickenbacker (Rickenbacher) Vintage Guitar Info". Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Rickenbacker 400 series". vintageguitarandbass.com. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  11. ^ McCormack, Peter (18 December 1999). "You Won't See Me: George Harrison purchases a Rickenbacker".
  12. ^ Smith, Richard R. (1987). The History of Rickenbacker Guitars. Centerstream Publications. p. 77. ISBN 9780931759154.
  13. ^ "Guitar List Chris Stein".
  14. ^ Scapelliti, C (24 September 2018). "Johnny Ramone's CBGB-Era Rickenbacker Is Up for Auction". Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Premier Guitar - Cheep Trick Touring Gear".
  16. ^ "Tom Petty Guitars: Uber Pro-Audio".
  17. ^ Bosso, Joe (26 March 2012). "Interview: Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno on songwriting, guitars and Velociraptor!".
  18. ^ Ogg, Alex (2000). Natural Babe Killers (CD liner notes). Babes in Toyland. United Kingdom: Snapper Music. OCLC 45369341