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Rickenbacker Vintage Guitarsby Carolyn Nierman
Started in 1931 as the Electro Spring Instrument Corporation, the Rickenbacker International Corporation was founded by George D. Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker. Because Mr. Rickenbacker’s name was already garnering fame due to a relative who had achieved fame during World War II, the duo chose to call their guitars Rickenbackers. The instrument that this collaboration wrought came to be known as the first electric guitar. Being the first company to produce an electric guitar didn’t come without its problems, however. First, when Electro Spring filed an application for a patent on their invention, they discovered that the US Patent Office didn’t know what to do with their creation. Patents categories were available for electrical devices and musical instruments, but there was no category that comprised both of these elements. Competition from other companies hoping to create the first electric guitar eventually convinced Electro Spring to give up the fight against possible patent violations. The electric guitars produced in the 1930’s included Hawaiian guitars as well as Spanish guitars. Popular Hawaiian artists Sol Hoopii and Dick McIntyre both used Rickenbackers on their recordings. Perry Botkin, who recorded with stars like Bing Crosby, favored his Rickenbacker Spanish guitar. Harpo Marx even got into the act when Electro Spring produced an electric harp for him. Rickenbacker vintage guitars really reached acclaim in the 1960’s as they became part of a music revolution. When the Beatles made their British invasion from England, one of their instrument makers of choice was Rickenbacker. According to Rickenbacker, John Lennon owned four different Rickenbacker guitars. Paul McCartney had a Fireglo bass made by Rickenbacker. Even George Harrison played a double-bound 360/12 from Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker’s popularity continued to grow as other celebrities joined the Beatles in their love of Rickenbackers. Among the growing crowd were Peter Townsend of the Who, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Kay of Steppenwolf. By the middle of the decade, consumers could expect to wait six months to purchase their Rickenbacker guitar as demand increased. Rickenbacker guitars still carry that same type of prestige today. With more than thirty new models available, as well as countless models of vintage Rickenbacker guitars available, any musician or collector can be certain to find an instrument that will offer him a great deal of enjoyment. ------------------------------------------------ |
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