[from top; John's 12-string; John's 1960 325; George's 360/12; Paul's 4001S Bass.]

Guitarists for time immemorial have aspired to the lofty heights of American made guitars. The Beatles were no exception. In theHamburg days, cheap European guitars were all the boys could afford. The Rickenbacker was the first 'proper' guitar the Beatles got their hands on. The Rickenbacker's 'jangle' is as distinctive as its appearance and, to add to the mystique, Rickenbacker guitars don't come in colours; they come in Glo's. Black translates to Jetglo, sunburst is Fireglo and Azureglo is a shade of blue. Are they content with one truss rod in the neck like every other guitar? I think not! Rickenbacker has two.

All four Beatles actually owned Rickenbackers. John got there first in 1960, picking up a natural finish (Mapleglo!) 325 in Hamburg to replace his rather dodgy Hofner club 40. This was the same guitar he later had finished in black by the coach-painting father of a friend. This is the guitar you always see John with in those early photos. Meanwhile, George acquired his first Rick in 1963, whilst on holiday in Illinois. His weapon of choice was a Jetglo 425 with the characteristic 'horn'. George had it finished in black to match John's 325. These models were in regular Beatle use until the first American tour in 1964.

While in New York the Beatles were invited by Rickenbacker to take a look at some of their new models. John, Paul and Ringo (I bet Ring had a great time!) went along as George was laid up in bed with the flu. Rickenbacker gave John a new model 325 in Jetglo with the new five-control layout. This was to replace his now battered Hamburg guitar. John was also rather enamoured with the brand new Fireglo 360 12-string, which the company had just developed. He asked if he could take it to show the poorly George, who instantly fell in love with it. The guitar George was given was the 2nd 360-12 ever made. Incidentally, Epstein requested another Rick 12 for Gerry Marsden; this was the 3rd one ever made. Paul was offered the 4001 bass at this session, which he strangely turned down, preferring to stay out of tune with his Hofner violin. (He didn't get it set up properly until the 80's!)

John and George immediately started using their new guitars. John used his old 325 on the first Ed Sullivan show and his new one on the second. These new guitars featured the mysterious 'fifth knob'. Now standard on all Rickenbackers, this control has baffled guitarists down the years. I have never been able to get anything productive out of mine, neither could George.

He told BBC radio 1 in 1987, "That tiny little knob never seemed to do anything at all. All it ever seemed to be was that there was one sound that I could get that was bright, which was the sound I used, and another tone where it went muffled, which I never used."

Rickenbacker continued to throw guitars at the Beatles throughout their careers. Later in 1964 they made John a one-off 320-12, basically a 12-string version of his regular six. This is the guitar rumoured to have been used on Ticket to Ride.

In 1965 George got a new model rounded front 360-12. It was this year John received his last Rickenbacker freebee, a Fireglo 325. This guitar was used on the Japanese tour to replace his regular Jetglo 325. John had managed to drop the unfortunate instrument and it was away being repaired. He later gave this Fireglo 325 guitar to Ringo, which he still owns.

It was in 1965 that Paul finally succumbed to the lure of the Rickenbacker. Paul was presented with the same guitar he had first seen in New York in 1964. He liked it this time and used it as his main studio and stage guitar through the Beatles and his solo work. The 4001S bass, originally a Fireglo colour, was painted by Paul for the Magical Mystery Tour. It can be seen in its psychedelic glory in the Walrus video. He later had it sanded down to its natural wood finish. Paul can often be spotted using this guitar today.

Rickenbacker has the distinction of being the most prolific instrument maker in the Beatles arsenal, nine different models. That aside, the Rickenbacker has to be most stylish of all the guitars used by the Beatles, as much a piece of art as a guitar.

Blue