I was just watching this video of Paul Weller's recent single "Wake Up the Nation," in which he plays one of his old Rick 330's from The Jam. Then I thought, "Why not a Paul Weller signature model?" I know the usual argument is that the backlog is too long, but if it's been at the two-year mark for about the last ten years, then it's become a production norm.

A Paul Weller model, that is, a Jet Glo 330, with a black pickguard and black truss rod cover, would take the same amount of time to produce as a regular 330, wouldn't it? Also, I read that Ben Hall said that they're looking for something for the Spring Namm show. Since no one at Rickenbacker jumped at my idea of producing a reissue Model 1993 12-string, why not a Paul Weller model?

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HykV37M67MI

I know it's been discussed on the forum previously, along with the 4004 bass in the video...

I'd be all for one as well but I don't think Rick will build one with a stop tailpiece.

His black Rick (at least the one in the video) has an "R" tailpiece.

I'm guessing here but wouldn't such a venture need Paul's permission?

Here in the UK recently there's been an ad campain in guitar mags where Paul is promoting the Epiphone Casino.

I have to admit it's a great idea though.

P.S. don't see no "R" tailpiece in the video.

Clifton,
No, it doesn't. You can quite clearly see this at 1:38 in the " Official " video in question.

You're right--I obviously wasn't looking very carefully, was I! Looks like a Gibson-type stop tailpiece stuck on the end. Hmm--I wonder why? I don't think it would affect the sound that much, but maybe he got tired of changing strings with the "R" tailpiece. Then again, I seem to remember that he gave this guitar to someone else and was just borrowing it back for the video.

Here's the all-black Rick 330 when Paul played it in The Jam. Notice the "R" tailpiece! It's apparent that this is the image I was thinking of:

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/85849464/Redferns

Here's a close-up of the body with the "R" clearly visible--scroll down about halfway:

http://www.rickresource.com/rrp/jam.html


I still think it would be a great look for a Rick 330--Jet Glo with black pickguard and truss rod cover, but keep the chrome hardware for a nice sense of contrast.




It probably would if it were a signature model, but then again putting it out anyway and not calling it a Paul Weller model specifically would be cool, too! I'm trying to think of all of the signature models that Pete Townshend has had in the past. (1) Rickenbacker 1998PT (2) Gibson SG (3) Gibson J-200 (4) Schecter PT Tele-style. Did I miss any? So having Weller endorse Epiphone and Rickenbacker might not be impossible. It's hard to think of anyone, especially in the UK, who brought Ricks so much to the forefront.

I did forget a Pete Townshend signature model--a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe replica of his #9 guitar from the 70's.

Johnny Marr! His signature 1983 330JG, his 1993, his 330/12FG... among others. He brought Ric's to the fore!

Can anyone tell me the deeper idea behind making signature guitar models?

Does the signature change your way of playing, your style or you technique?

Do you become a better player?

Do you favour a fat C-neck just because another player you actually don't know personally does?

Do you actually feel you are Paul Weller or Pete Townshend if their signatures are stencilled on a guitar?

I honestly don't understand this trend! I think it's waste of money - yours actually - as guitar manufacturers pay huge money to buy these signatures only to stamp them on guitars otherwise identical.

Luckily Rickenbacker - with a few exceptions - stay out of this peudo guitar world.

There thankfully will never be a Weller model and lets face it if there was it would never be the Whamm guitar cause nobody is going to pay the price for the hrs spent on the paint job.
Never going to be a 330 JG with stop tail piece cause that would be just laughable.
The new 330 JGs with the smaller headstock are very easily changed into a Weller looking guitar with black TRC and guards.
No it isnt going change style or technique and if it actually did that would be called magic,so thats a no to both these answers but then again thats a no brainer.Mmmnnn If anyone actually ever felt like this id suggest a straight jacket and soft surroundings.

Mmmmnnn it me or am i imagining this?

Good point! I would argue, however, that Paul played Ricks almost exclusively in The Jam--with only a couple of exceptions. Marr played several different types of guitars with The Smiths, especially later on.

In the States, I would nominate Peter Buck!