Rickenbacker news and features

A Rickenbacker 12 string guitar on a black background

Best 12-string guitars: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 18 December 23

Our expert guide to the best 12-string guitars from Taylor, Rickenbacker, Fender, and others, from 12-string acoustic guitars to shimmering electrics

Stranger things: Phoebe Bridgers wields Eddie Munson’s guitar in Boygenius’ instrument-hurling, B.C. Rich-rocking, Beatles-channeling SNL appearance

By Matt Parker published 13 November 23

The indie supergroup’s spot as musical guests on SNL leaves a lot to talk about

Geddy Lee from Canadian rock group Rush performs live on stage at Bingley Hall in Staffordshire, England on 21st September 1979

“I love the sound of the Rickenbacker, but I didn’t sound like Chris Squire on it!” Geddy Lee on his Rick-O-Sound tone and ‘crossing the floor’ to Fender

By Joel McIver published 17 October 23

The Ricky 4001 is both loved and hated by bass players: for the Rush legend it’s still a classic

Bassist Chris Squire (1948 - 2015) performing with English progressive rock band Yes, at Madison Square Garden, New York, 5th August 1977

“We mic’d one of Steve Howe’s old Gibson guitars and mixed it with the bass. That’s what gave it such a bright sound”: Listen to Chris Squire’s isolated bassline on Roundabout

By Nick Wells published 3 October 23

Learn the tone secrets behind Chris Squire’s iconic bassline on the Yes classic, Roundabout

The 12-string guitar that defined the ‘60s: in praise of the Rickenbacker Capri

By Rod Brakes published 21 June 23

A favourite of The Beatles and The Byrds, these era-defining electrics still resonate

Close up of the soundhole of a Fender acoustic guitar

Best Fender acoustic guitars: Our top picks from Fender’s expansive range of acoustics

By Ross Holder published 7 June 23

Whether you’re looking for an impressive jack-of-all-trades or a miniature dreadnought, Fender has an acoustic for you

The Yes Album: When Chris Squire created one of the most recognizable bass tones in rock

By Mike Brooks published 21 May 23

The Lowlist The Lowlist – celebrating longplayers with low-end – doffs its cap to Chris Squire

Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton performing live onstage, singing at same microphone, Wembley Arena, December 1982

How The Jam's Town Called Malice turned a cheeky Motown steal into a bona fide bass classic

By Tom Poak published 17 February 23

Bruce Foxton on destroying Rickenbackers and the band's history of borrowing bass parts – plus, how to play Town Called Malice

How to replicate the Beatles’ classic tones using today’s affordable guitars, basses and effects pedals

By Chris Gill published 7 February 23

Because sourcing the vintage gear is almost impossible, financially and practically, we've put together a list of gear that's on the market today that will help you nail the Fab Four's sound

Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead performs at the House Of Blues in Chicago, Illinois on AUGUST 30, 2009

Lemmy’s 5 greatest Motörhead basslines

By Nick Wells published 27 January 23

"Lemmy’s bass playing was just so insane!" The bass playing legacy of one of the greatest bassists in the history of metal and hard rock: Lemmy

Cliff Burton (left) and James Hetfield perform onstage with Metallica

From the vaults: former Machine Head bassist Adam Duce on the tone secrets of Cliff Burton

By Joel McIver published 16 November 22

“He had a Stratocaster pickup hidden under the bridge of his Rickenbacker”

Sleep’s Al Cisneros: “For my lifespan, I’ll be playing Rickenbackers. When I hear the sound of Rush’s Permanent Waves, there’s nothing else like that’”

By Joel McIver published 26 October 22

The OM and Sleep bassist on gathering his solo singles into a collection, Sinai Dub Box, flow states and the universal groove, and which bass is so heavy he needs pain relief to play it...

Behold Rickenbacker’s new Midnight Purple 330

By Neville Marten published 24 October 22

As limited-edition Rickenbackers go, they don't get much cooler than this...

Best basses for metal 2023: plus everything you need to find the metal bass for you

Best basses for metal: plus everything you need to find the metal bass for you

By Chris Corfield last updated 21 October 22

Need a bass capable of going heavy? We’ve picked out the best bass guitars for metal, including models from Rickenbacker, Warwick, Schecter and Ibanez

Wilco’s John Stirratt: “With the bass, you can change the tone of different parts... I try to find a really good rhythm track that aids the melody”

By Ryan Madora published 19 October 22

Stirratt tells all about a febrile writing and recording session that found Wilco tracking live in the room and heading in a cosmic country direction just like Waylon Jennings

How Chris Squire got his iconic bass tone

By Joel McIver published 22 August 22

The evolution of the Yes man’s incredible low-end sound

How luthier Roger Rossmeisl shaped the look of Rickenbacker guitars with the legendary Capri series

By Rod Brakes published 2 May 22

Rickenbacker author Martin Kelly unpacks Rossmeisl’s crowning achievement

Blue Rickenbacker 4003 bass on a green background

Best high-end bass guitars 2024: our pick of premium basses from Rickenbacker, Fender, PRS, Fodera and more

By Simon Fellows published 27 April 22

Get the lowdown on the very best of the deep, pummelling world of bass

Jennylee: “Bass is a really easy instrument to learn, but it’s a really hard instrument to get good at”

By Joel McIver published 7 April 22

The Warpaint bassist on the challenge to bring melody to the rhythm section and how bass guitar became an obsession

Les Paul's 'number one' prototype Les Paul

50 guitars that changed the world

By Tony Bacon published 7 March 22

A perfect union of form and function, guitars have the power to change the course of music and even history itself. Here, we present the most influential guitars of our time