Rick Nielsen's Guitars - 1985 Cheap Trick Interview

1985 Cheap Trick Interview featuring a tour of Rick's guitars! Rare backstage footage. www.cheaptrick.com

[@srvphotog]

Holy Tune-O-Matic, Batman!!!!! I shot this tape.....Had a great time with Rick and we had a few beers and sandwiches after the show at Primanti Brothers! I'm so glad this tape still exists.....Looks great too! (If I must say so myself!)

[@krisscanlon4051]

Pittsburgh huh

[@BornInTheWrongYear]

One of the most underrated guitarists of all time. That's why I love Rick, he's so unassuming yet such a fucking bad ass at the same time.

[@davidallen346]

My Walgreens manager Christopher Isherwood favorite band

[@MeBeLonMon]

GULP! That '59 Les Paul that he said was worth "a lot" at "Six or seven thousand" is worth over half a million bucks now! I sure hope Rick kept that one!

[@losmezcalito]

I was working backstage at a show where Cheap Trick was one of the headliners... got to meet and chat with his guitar tech, and he actually let me strap on the 5 neck Hamer, that thing weighed a ton! I got my picture taken, and the wife commented that, that was the biggest smile she had ever seen on me! Then, was backstage during their set, and got to meet Rick... the coolest guy in Rock! He sure uses the "F-bomb" alot! : )

[@maxcapacity7022]

I seen Rick play that lookalike guitar at my first ever concert in Edmonton 1989. Still awesome.

[@srvphotog]

That was indeed Heart doing their soundcheck in the backround. I shot this footage and did not recognize Nancy Wilson when Rick gave me the backstage tour....She didn't have all her hair weaved in yet!

[@MRGXX64]

Rick Nielsen is one of the greatest guitar players of all time !!! CHEAP TRICK should be in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame !!!!!

[@darthhull85]

Only Rick would be brave enough to tour with a 58 Explorer considering out of the original 17 made, there probably aren't many still around.

[@jr13227]

And he owns 3 of them

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

My dad played in a band with Rick’s neighbor in 1986 & he gave me a whole box of Cheap Trick picks. I played my first show in Feb ‘86 & used cheap trick picks while playing. It was awesome.

[@sonofbarnsey]

5:00 I believe the faded looking 59' behind the first Les Paul there is the one Rick sold to John Squire of the Stone Roses several years after this interview. Either way, a sweet guitar

[@skywardpictures]

Nice collection Rick, nice to see it together.

[@TheRmm1976]

Checkerboard guitar at 1:25 was just featured on "American Pickers" on History channel. Nice!!

[@acousticguitarfan55]

Wow! What a great collection! I have a book by John Entwistle called Bass Culture...which showcases his extensive guitar & bass collection that Rick Nielsen photographed and put together posthumously...it's a guitar lover's dream looking at all the pictures! I have 5 guitars myself and will probably add some more!

[@jgraham46]

Must have been on tour with Heart because it sounds like the song "Never" in the background.

[@andygranatelli8809]

I once did an inspection at the Hamer guitar factory in New Hartford, Connecticut. Really cool stuff.

[@cagwa]

Look at the way she gazes at him at 1:20

[@Hitlistrocks]

This guy blew my mind when I was a kid!

[@MeBeLonMon]

Here‘s how I interpreted things: The 1st Les Paul he showed was a '60. Rick says, "Some of these are worth 6-7000 bucks". His demeanor indicates he meant similar Les Pauls. He then says, "I got 3 of these in here", again meaning 3 similar Les Pauls. He shows the other 2 at 4:50. At 4:54 he indicates that the THIRD one is a '59. I was referring to that guitar. Also, back in '85 when this interview was done, there wasn’t such a huge gap between the values of a ‘59 and ‘60 ‘burst as there is now.

[@Laynasmuse]

I love his personality, plus hes totally cute :)

[@brolirobbo]

The 1958-59 korina Explorer is one of the most valuable production-model guitars on the market, ranked at #4 on the 2011 Top 25 published by Vintage Guitar, worth between $250,000 and $310,000. Only 22 were produced, 19 in 1958 and 3 in 1959.

[@anthonybakker2567]

He owns three of them.

[@arcade85_]

and, you guessed it; they're worth a lot more now

[@shane013088]

only 17 explorers made by gibson in 1958 and he owns not one, but two of them. i'm jealous.

[@fanoboss]

wish i could see an NEW UPDATED INTERVIEW !!!!

[@chriswright5204]

The Moderne is a sought after now in the early 2020’s. Hope Rick kept it

[@aggmedia]

Can't reply to old comments, but yeah. The guitar he has them remove is the 'Miller Music' Hamer. My guess is either the news show didn't want to show it or Miller wasn't a sponsor for that particular show.

[@Julz333666]

Seen enough of that one....

[@karlwho1]

Uhmmm, great thought, but those albums were great. Very creative, awesome writing, great playing and especially the singing. Reevaluate and you'll see...

[@chris_2714]

Even with inflation accounted for, those vintage guitars were dirt cheap back in the 80s!

[@bunezuela1]

When Rick mentioned the twelve string bass he didn't mention Tom. Interesting since Tom came up with the idea but during this time Jon Brandt was playing bass. Tom had left the band at this time and wouldn't return until 1988 on the Lap of Luxury Album! Been together ever since and you can tell, their sound is so much fuller when he played than when he didn't. Not trying to be critical of (Rick) who played some bass during Tom's absence or Jon and Pete's playing. But Tom's the man on the twelve!

[@daveycooper4336]

Dude he so full of himself, I'd be embarrassed that hammer Was the endorsement..... But look where he's at compared to us

[@runninonempiy]

FOR SURE!

[@strtofdrms]

Is that Heart I hear playing live in the background? I believe they toured together in the mid eighties.

[@Mercury91]

AMEN!

[@joshleeming7796]

my goal right here

[@djizzah]

These guys used to play at the local high schools when they started out

[@tgear77]

Everyone must eat at Primanti Bros.! I am so mad at my sister for moving out of Pittsburgh. That was the best part of visiting her there.

[@AerotechMan101]

I didn't watch through the whole thing... but wow...I want one O_O I can never find one

[@cosy1234]

it's been 31 years so his guitars doubled their age

[@olddogcitypound5859]

homies✌

[@crapple009]

Before I read your post,I had the same thought. 4:44-4:47 is a dead giveaway.But not really surprised in the least bit.

[@Born2RiffRock]

I played his 59 les paul in Nashville at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. George had to get it out of safe. This was in the 1990s 45,000. I would not even get out of the chair so scared I might break something that sacred. I have a 73 I bought new and my 76

[@mikelandreth]

I saw these in 1984 on the USS Kity Hawk in Subic Bay Phillipines . COOL GUYS BTW.

[@AerotechMan101]

0:23 is that a moderne? O_o holy crap!

[@lazyrrr2411]

Relax ... it's gotta be an '82 re-issue *BUT STILL* there's only about 183 of them (and ℹ bagged one 👌😎)

[@BenjaminZarndt]

My fav. is the five neck guitar

[@xtallyx1]

Was waiting for him to show his amp that goes to " 11 "..

[@tatsandteles]

Did you see him bend the neck on that 59' Les Paul?? God, he's awesome!

[@505kant]

wow look at my friend pat hhhhhmmmmm very nice

[@Scrappalino]

@dylancollver Now a days a 1960 Les Paul goes for 120 to 250 thousand dollars... Holy crap wish I was old enough to by one in 1985. I bet those stay at his home today.

[@fajitaRBguy01111]

"When they finally open a Rock n Roll Museum..." Little did they know, 3 years later...

[@pfausette4405]

Had to look up who the interviewer was,Mary Robb Jackson.Super Pretty.

[@krisscanlon4051]

KDKA

[@DesertDigger1]

How many will walk through "Pawn Stars"?

[@jlarrybrewer1149]

4:37 can anyone tell me what the graphic on the white Hamer bass is supposed to be?

[@jrmarrero96]

@MetallicBill Well I am just giving my own opinion on those instruments. I know Rick and a few other guitarists such as Jimmy Page are able to use multiple neck guitars for musical and visual purposes. On Rick's main five neck for example, the top neck is a twelve string and the bottom neck is a fretless so I could see that being useful musically.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

'59 Les Paul and a '58 Explorer!?! Wow.... I doubt he takes those on the road anymore, those are worth so much now and the chance of theft would be constant.

[@davidstonich1649]

Not sure about the Explorers but he most definitely plays the LP on the road.

[@mooniejohnson]

He definitely plays them both (when he brings them on tour, which is often). I met Rick once and asked him that question. His answer was "They're made to played, why wouldn't you play them?"

[@GiorgioVerzotto]

Last that I've seen he still takes the Les Paul out but he stopped touring with the '58 Explorer, insurance was killing him. He likes his guitars but he doesn't like throwing money out of the window, understandably.

[@thenewyorkpauls]

Jimmy Page’s sunburst Les Pauls get their own plane tickets and armed guards at shows (not a joke)

[@brucepettengill6183]

Rick, if you see this, call me! I’ve been playing since I was 19 and I’m 65 now. I’ve been collecting since my first 2 were stolen 2 years later. I’ve amassed a sizeable collection of 137 myself. Thought “I got the money now. I’ll buy it and when I retire, I’ll sell it and pocket the money”. As I stated earlier, I turned 65 last June. Be honored if you bought a few or 20 or 50. Got qualty Fenders, Guild, Kramer, Gibson’s, PRS’es, even Roland bass/synthesizer set ups. I know you’d give em good homes. Besides, I lost my cheap trick/cheap trick/cheap trick blue satin bow tie I bought at ya’lls show at the Auditorium North Hall here in Memphis back in 1979 or 1980 and need another one.

[@constructivecritique4049]

Those vintage guitar prices back then was crazy cheap. Back in 1984, I was 19, and gave a post-dated check for $75, a 1/2 oz. of shitty schwag weed, and a US-made Fender Bullet Bass that I had de-fretted during my big Jaco kick, for an all-original, sunburst 1961 stack-knob Fender Jazz Bass, that I still gig with every weekend to this very day.

[@eltigre8978]

I love it, Rick has 3 1960 Les Paul's in the room, each worth $6000 in 1985. I'm sure everyone knows what those go for today! and a 59 Les Paul.......damn, the flying V, etc. the 59 Explorer! That Moderne.......yikes......that can't be an original? Whoa....if it is!

[@auntjenifer7774]

It is the original, back in 1979 when he got it no one was faking those.

[@mruncommon1]

It weighs a lot & it's very heavy... best quote ever!

[@h2ofield]

Great Stuff!! What's the guitar that's "not supposed to be here" @ 5:30? In the split second we see it, I want to guess it's the 'Miller High Life' one. Probably Rick didn' want to give them a free ad?

[@stephenbrown7545]

So are you (:

[@crapple009]

Similar to a couple of other women reporters interviewing him. He definitely has a charming,witty effect on them.

[@jrmarrero96]

It's funny how he tells the interviewer how impractical the five neck guitar is and how he "won't do that again". I believe he has three different five necks made besides the original since this program first aired.

[@elokiddies7545]

oh my lord

[@nkmcfrln]

Rick's $10,000 58 Explorer could be worth $1000, 000 today. There was one for sale in the U.K. for $1,100, 000 a few years ago.

[@mrshawchs]

Rick was 14 years old when this was shot.

[@HMJohnsonGuitar]

I would love to see a video of all his guitars, most of all his Gibson 350Ts

[@captbill279]

Congratulations on that 5 neck beauty.... She's tight!

[@999manman]

@packrat89 Surely the reissue....

[@haamishmcgarry]

Reporter Chuck totally about to go down

[@Dietpepsivanilla]

This interview is not from 1984, more like either 1985 or 1986 as a crew member is wearing a "Standing On the Edge" T-shirt, which wasn't released until '85. Great stuff though.

[@phallystorm]

The interviewer is Smokin HOT

[@hellno47]

Lucky u but ur my favorite guitar player ever

[@deliman]

kuh-kuh-yea!

[@Tommyr]

He seems like a nice guy. Good for you Rick!

[@JoeyLevenson]

haha. "and this is a 59 Gibson Les Paul..." nowadyas noone would say it like that, THIS IS A %( LES PAUL!!!! I love Rick.

[@MrUltraworld]

He traveled with what is now several million dollars in guitars.

[@deleteddeleted5568]

Fred Garvin he still does today! Premier Guitar did a great rig rundown on KZbin, you should check it out if you get a chance🎸🎸

[@tatsandteles]

@beeroosterm Hey, a few of us kind of knew what was going on back then but the economy was as bad as it is now! I had a few I wish I could have kept. I paid $600 for a 1962 Strat in 1979. My father was furious. 'That money goes to your education'. That WAS my education!

[@TomFuller]

nice! 160 guitars? !!!!!!!

[@homersimpson8561]

He said in this video that he'll probably never buy a 5 neck again. He currently owns 3

[@joshleeming7796]

when people ask where u got a 59 les paul, most say I paid less than 1000 bucks for it!

[@homersimpson8561]

3:11 This is the guitar he used in Daddy Daycare

[@BigBishop1]

he found gene cornishs rascals guitar in a pawn shop wonder if he still has it

[@acdc1228]

The end of "Baby Loves to Rock"

[@mkerwin1]

1:47 sniff :)

[@rsanchez7111]

Matt Kerwin - Music For All lol. Not just once. A few times.

[@erics3644]

LOL. He definitely has the coke-eyes in this interview

[@jrmarrero96]

@MetallicBill Well virtually any double neck guitar is a bit awkward, never mind a triple or a five neck. I have played a few doubles including a BC Rich and after five minutes the novelty wears off for me.

[@Ofinfinitejest]

Nielsen stage face at 7:21

[@crapple009]

He was one,at least on that day.

[@nickshelley3118]

What were you doing in 85? I was listening to rock, partying, having fun, and oh yeah, my parents bought me an early 1970's Les Paul DeLuxe for christmas from the local music store and I still have it and bang on it regularly, $550.00 with Gibson hardshell case, The world is garbage now compared to the freedom of the 70's-80's and half of the 90's and it's only getting worse.

[@allrain]

Ahah, you see Rick's outfit from '85 and think "looking good but ...maybe a little too patchy and flashy" but then at the end you get to "enjoy" how awful journalist is dressed and realize it is the '80s and he was really at the top of the game compared with others. LOL

[@mooniejohnson]

Holy hell, a Moderne. I've always wanted to see one in person, much less *play* it.

[@UnknownBlackHand]

You people are gonna call me crazy but I share my birthday with Rick

[@Jakeman90210]

A '60 burst for $7000, that's less than the copies today

[@gr8fuljon]

"probably won't do that again..." BAHAHAHAHA

[@gerson2600]

its sort of like mozart, he always carried his piano with him (the same piano) to every "concert"

[@Gravyballs2011]

@cwskin69 Hah! I was thinking the same thing!!

[@larryklawiter9168]

Somehow it seems fitting...in Rockford.

[@DirtyRecordsAI]

whats the song at 1:38??

[@ChromaBlonde]

6-7k for a burst!! I’ll take 3 please

[@boffadeeznuts4578]

Didn't know he had a moderne...that's got to be the only 1 left if it's a real 50s model

[@steentompkins]

And those Korina Flying V's and Explorers are worth $100,000.00 (plus) today. The Les Pauls....around $50,000.00 - $75,000.00 : ) He could never play another note of music and live off the guitar collection.....well, maybe : )

[@user-bk8db7ud6k]

Looks like she caught him after he did a few rails.

[@xtc1957]

If he ain't had a bump, then I'm Robin Zander.

[@adamchaifetz5876]

And I'm Bun-E