A Brief History of Rickenbacker Guitars and Basses

Rickenbacker guitars and bass guitars have a rich history that dates back to the 1940s, when the company was founded by Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp. At first, the company produced lap steel guitars and electric guitars with horseshoe magnet pickups, but it wasn't until the 1950s that Rickenbacker began to make its mark on the music industry.

In the early 1950s, Rickenbacker introduced the Combo series of guitars and basses. These were some of the first electric instruments to feature a solid body and had a distinctive, twangy sound that made them popular with country and rockabilly musicians. Eddie Cochran used a Rickenbacker 360 on his hit song "Summertime Blues."

In the 1960s, Rickenbacker really came into its own with the introduction of the 4000 series bass. This bass had an asymmetrical body shape and a powerful, punchy sound that quickly made it a favorite of rock and roll bassists. It was used by many iconic bands of the era, including The Beatles, The Byrds, The Who, and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

George Harrison of The Beatles was perhaps the most famous Rickenbacker player of all time. Harrison bought his first Rickenbacker 12-string guitar in 1964, and it became an essential part of the band's sound. He used it to great effect on songs such as "A Hard Day's Night," "Ticket to Ride," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Pete Townshend of The Who was another prominent Rickenbacker player. He used the guitar extensively on the band's landmark album "Tommy" and throughout his career. Townshend's aggressive playing style and use of feedback made him one of the most innovative guitarists of the era.

The Byrds were another band that made great use of Rickenbacker guitars. Roger McGuinn played a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, and the band's jangly, folk-influenced sound was heavily influenced by this instrument.

Tom Petty was another musician closely associated with Rickenbacker guitars. Petty's jangly, melodic guitar playing was a hallmark of his sound, and he used Rickenbacker instruments extensively throughout his career. Some of his most famous songs, such as "American Girl" and "Free Fallin'," feature the distinctive sound of a Rickenbacker guitar.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Rickenbacker instruments continued to be popular with a new generation of musicians. Peter Buck of REM was a prominent Rickenbacker player during this period, using the instrument extensively throughout the band's career. Johnny Marr of The Smiths was also known for his use of Rickenbacker guitars, which contributed to the band's distinctive sound.

In recent years, Rickenbacker instruments have continued to be popular with a wide range of musicians. Paul McCartney has used a Rickenbacker bass extensively throughout his career, and the instrument has also been used by alternative rock bands such as The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand.

Overall, Rickenbacker guitars and bass guitars have played an important role in the development of rock and roll music. From their early days producing lap steel guitars and Combo series instruments to the introduction of the 4000 series bass in the 1960s, Rickenbacker has been at the forefront of electric instrument design. The unique sound of Rickenbacker guitars and basses has influenced countless musicians and contributed to some of the most iconic music of the last 60 years.