#14: The Beatles and Rickenbacker guitars!

Jimmy is on location in Santa Ana, California and visits the location of the legendary Rickenbacker guitar factory which was made very famous by their association with The Beatles in the 1960's. John Lennon first bought a Rickenbacker whilst in Hamburg pre fame - George Harrison played a 12 string Rickenbacker - most memorably on the opening chord of 'A Hard Days' Night in 1964', whilst Paul McCartney played his left handed Rickenbacker bass guitar extensively from late 1965 onwards.
#rickenbacker #rickenbackerbass #thebeatles #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #guitar #usa #history #music #1960s #santaana #history #livinghistory #aharddaysnight #tompetty #susannahoffs #johnfogerty #thebyrds

[@Dibbs6]

I have myself a 325 c64 reissue. The best guitar I own. Not just because I'm a Beatles and Lennon fan, but also it was my dream to own one. It finally came true. I have no intention or desire to sell it, but I bought it from a private retailer so I didn't need to wait, although, I did think about buying directly from them. Luckily I found one in Santa Clara, California. It sure is a pleasure owning a piece of history as you said. I'm sure in time my Rick will grow in value, but still no desire to let it go. Thanks, Alex

[@MoreMovies4u]

Thr most beautiful looking electric guitars ever made. Great video dude.

[@jimmybonar2566]

Hey thanks so much, appreciate it! Yeah they really are something special.

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day ❤😊

[@jimmybonar2566]

Thanks so much, really appreciate it! I’m planning on doing some more Beatle oriented videos in the future.

[@4absentfriends]

My 1st guitar was a Rickenbacker 450 sunburst in 1964. In 1970, I switched to bass and bought a blonde 4001. I also bought a lap-steel and it had RickenbacHer on the head (which, unfortunately was stolen).

[@jimmybonar2566]

Thanks for sharing! Do you still prefer bass today?

[@rogbrogb7537]

What gives them that jangly sound that I love so much?

[@williamfurman2042]

I had no idea those guitars were made in a warehouse off the 405 fwy in Orange County. We think of fine craftsmanship in Europe, and maybe the Lays Potato Chip factory near Santa Ana.

[@jimmybonar2566]

I had a surprise too when discovering that inside that nondescript building was the workshop for Rickenbacker!

[@Duvidoo]

For the longest time in the 60s I thought John had snagged his Ricky in Germany utilI I remembered that Rickenbacker was the surname of one of America's greatest air aces in WWI. I bought a program at a Beatles show I attended and there was an ad for Rickenbacker and they were indeed American. Found my own Ricky by chance in 1980 at a local music shop an havew never looked back. Needs an overhaul but it still is a joy to look at.

[@vincewhirlwind68]

Adolph Richenbacher (sic), who started the company in the early 20th c was Swiss. He emigrated to America, where he started his eponymous guitar company and co-created the first-ever electric guitar (the 'frying pan') with George Beauchamp. The latter-day designs of Rickenbackers (the h was changed to a k somewhere down the line) we've known since the '50s and '60s were created by master luthier Roger Rossmeisel, who was indeed German.

[@vincewhirlwind68]

John did buy his famous Rick in Germany, during the Beatles' Hamburg stint, apparently having seen the great jazz guitar and harmonica player Toots Thielemans with one.

[@jimmybonar2566]

That’s a great story! Which Beatles show did you attend? Love to know what type of Ricky you have.

[@Duvidoo]

@@jimmybonar2566 Second North American tour in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens. Too much screaming to hear anything and I was fairly close ... just heard a snippet of Baby's in Black ... everything else was visual. My Ricky is a 12 string ... not deluxe like George's and natural finish more like John's first before it was painted black. I think it's a 360-12 and was manufactured in 1968 ... I bought it used.

[@richbailey8174]

I think they are way way overpriced. You see the same thing with Hofner basses. Because they were used by the Beatles.