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Keith Richards - History Of His Guitars

Well Researched I am sure not sure if some guitars were not mentioned.

merry xmas

There are several errors.

Micawber is NOT a 54 Tele (Malcolm is), it´s a 53 Tele.

Sonny is NOT a 67 Tele, it´s a 66 Tele.

The Mary Kay strat (the one Keith got from Ronnie) is NOT a 58 Strat, it´s a 57 Strat.

Also Keith has played several black Tele Customs, the one he played during ABB Tour is not a 72, it´s a 75.

Only a few of Keiths more famous guitars is mentioned in the youtube clip, there are many more for example Keiths stock 52 Tele nicknamed George and the red 59 355.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-26 16:43 by JumpinJeppeFlash.

Keith Richards - History of His Guitars new
Posted by: JumpinJeppeFlash ()
Date: December 26, 2019 16:39

There are several errors.

Micawber is NOT a 54 Tele (Malcolm is), it´s a 53 Tele.

Sonny is NOT a 67 Tele, it´s a 66 Tele.

The Mary Kay strat (the one Keith got from Ronnie) is NOT a 58 Strat, it´s a 57 Strat.

Also Keith has played several black Tele Customs, the one he played during ABB Tour is not a 72, it´s a 75.

Only a few of Keiths more famous guitars is mentioned in the youtube clip, there are many more for example Keiths stock 52 Tele nicknamed George and the red 59 355.


Thanks - I figured it was not 100 accurate - the internet is only as good as the information input- garbage in garbage out - I thought the pictures and general information was worth the 20 minutes to watch.

Some of the years did not seem correct but a very cool collection regardless. Some of them were at the MET in New York and are now on exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

CBII

Jeppe, surely Sonny is a '67 Tele right? Hard to find one of those but I am 100 % positive it's from 1967.

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MadMax
Jeppe, surely Sonny is a '67 Tele right? Hard to find one of those but I am 100 % positive it's from 1967.

You are wrong, it’s a 66. Confirmed by several sources, for example Johnny Starbuck.

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JumpinJeppeFlash
There are several errors.

Micawber is NOT a 54 Tele (Malcolm is), it´s a 53 Tele.

Sonny is NOT a 67 Tele, it´s a 66 Tele.

The Mary Kay strat (the one Keith got from Ronnie) is NOT a 58 Strat, it´s a 57 Strat.

Also Keith has played several black Tele Customs, the one he played during ABB Tour is not a 72, it´s a 75.

Only a few of Keiths more famous guitars is mentioned in the youtube clip, there are many more for example Keiths stock 52 Tele nicknamed George and the red 59 355.

Sonny is a 1967 maple capped Tele. The maple cap didn't come factory standard before January 1967, and in 1966 the Fender logo was still the open gold trim logo. Serial number is also from 1967.

The Mary Kaye is from 1958, not from 1957, as evidenced by the serial number on the neck plate.

Keith only has had two black Fender Telecaster Customs -the 1975 he used from 1975 until 1983, and a copy assembled in 1983 by Jim Barber, which he most probably never used.

Micawber is a 1953, Malcolm a 1954.

And just to note -Keith never named any of his guitars any names.

Mathijs

Mathijs wrote: "Sonny is a 1967 maple capped Tele. The maple cap didn't come factory standard before January 1967, and in 1966 the Fender logo was still the open gold trim logo. Serial number is also from 1967."

Thanks Mathijs, that's what I also remember from my studies of Fenders when I collected like a maniac 10-15 years ago. Also I got the Rolling Stones Gear book and there it clearly states Sonny is a 1967. Señor who wrote it got full access to most of the guitars so why would he mention the wrong year? I have never seen a 1966 Tele with that thicker, "fyrkantigare" logo and the maple fretboard. Maybe I am not wrong Jeppe, eller hur? Cheers!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-28 15:38 by MadMax.

<Also I got the Rolling Stones Gear book and there it clearly states Sonny is a 1967. Señor who wrote it got full access to most of the guitars so why would he mention the wrong year?>

Oh, there are many such mistakes in that book

But Sonny is indeed a 1967.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-28 17:05 by DandelionPowderman.

You're always going to get errors like that in such a book.

Some maybe just compositional errors missed by the editor and some due to asking a question of the wrong source.

I think the Stones Gear Book on the whole is a fun read.

Those of us clued up enough to spot the odd error are probably a bit too obsessive for our own good... and should perhaps get a life !

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Mathijs
Sonny is a 1967 maple capped Tele. The maple cap didn't come factory standard before January 1967, and in 1966 the Fender logo was still the open gold trim logo. Serial number is also from 1967.

The Mary Kaye is from 1958, not from 1957, as evidenced by the serial number on the neck plate.

Keith only has had two black Fender Telecaster Customs -the 1975 he used from 1975 until 1983, and a copy assembled in 1983 by Jim Barber, which he most probably never used.

Micawber is a 1953, Malcolm a 1954.

And just to note -Keith never named any of his guitars any names.

Mathijs

The thing that I always found a little odd about Keith's older Humbucker modded Teles was the placement of the 'bucker.

I'd love to see a pic of Micawber or Malcolm with the pickup and surround removed as there can be little or no wood left at the end of neck pocket.

Doesn't really matter much with the four screw fixing... so long as the screws are tight... but it would certainly worry those folks with bees in their bonnets about the fit and stability of Fender neck pockets.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-28 18:01 by Spud.

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MadMax
Mathijs wrote: "Sonny is a 1967 maple capped Tele. The maple cap didn't come factory standard before January 1967, and in 1966 the Fender logo was still the open gold trim logo. Serial number is also from 1967."

Thanks Mathijs, that's what I also remember from my studies of Fenders when I collected like a maniac 10-15 years ago. Also I got the Rolling Stones Gear book and there it clearly states Sonny is a 1967. Señor who wrote it got full access to most of the guitars so why would he mention the wrong year? I have never seen a 1966 Tele with that thicker, "fyrkantigare" logo and the maple fretboard. Maybe I am not wrong Jeppe, eller hur? Cheers!

Well, your Rolling Stones gear book is full of errors, for example the author claims Micawber to be a 54 Tele, says it all.

BTW i don´t know who you are and i don´t care either.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-29 17:16 by JumpinJeppeFlash.

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Mathijs

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JumpinJeppeFlash
There are several errors.

Micawber is NOT a 54 Tele (Malcolm is), it´s a 53 Tele.

Sonny is NOT a 67 Tele, it´s a 66 Tele.

The Mary Kay strat (the one Keith got from Ronnie) is NOT a 58 Strat, it´s a 57 Strat.

Also Keith has played several black Tele Customs, the one he played during ABB Tour is not a 72, it´s a 75.

Only a few of Keiths more famous guitars is mentioned in the youtube clip, there are many more for example Keiths stock 52 Tele nicknamed George and the red 59 355.

Sonny is a 1967 maple capped Tele. The maple cap didn't come factory standard before January 1967, and in 1966 the Fender logo was still the open gold trim logo. Serial number is also from 1967.

The Mary Kaye is from 1958, not from 1957, as evidenced by the serial number on the neck plate.

Keith only has had two black Fender Telecaster Customs -the 1975 he used from 1975 until 1983, and a copy assembled in 1983 by Jim Barber, which he most probably never used.

Micawber is a 1953, Malcolm a 1954.

And just to note -Keith never named any of his guitars any names.

Mathijs

Show us the neckplate from the Mary Kay strat please?

There are several sources claiming Sonny to be a 66 Tele (Blue Lenas interview with Johnny Starbuck from ABB tour for example), but off course you are right about the maple cap and so on. Have you got the serial number?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-29 17:16 by JumpinJeppeFlash.

"Well, your Rolling Stones gear book is full of errors, for example the author claims Micawber to be a 54 Tele, says it all.

BTW i don´t know who you are and i don´t care either."

Awfully sorry, I didn't know you were on your period Jeppe darling. Either that or you ought to go back to school to learn proper english as you must have thought I was being rude to you?

have these corrections been share to the guy who posted the video? He seems open to correction.

Does Keith have/use any of Brian's guitars?

What I once read is that several years ago during rehearsals Ronnie
came up with Brian's Vox Teardrop. And that Keith was not amused and so told him to take it away.

Ronnie is using one of Brian's Firebirds on Stripped.

And just to note -Keith never named any of his guitars any names.

What exactly do you mean, Mathijs? What about Malcolm/Micawber/Guts, etc.?

I did not mean this thread to get ugly - I do not personally care if the tele is a 66 or 67 i thought it was worth sharing - IMO the sound of the guitar is in the fingers and the amp used more than the year model being one or two years difference in age.

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Elmo Lewis
And just to note -Keith never named any of his guitars any names.

What exactly do you mean, Mathijs? What about Malcolm/Micawber/Guts, etc.?

Maybe his guitar techs named them?

Now now ladies

I suspect that a lot of this information and mis-information has been taken from various Guitar magazine interviews with Keith's guitar techs down the years.
I've read a good few... and they quite often contradict each other in the details.

you can't really blame the authors for using what ought to be reliable information from a good source.

As for exact years of manufacture...sometimes it's 100% clear on examination...but sometimes dating one component will be misleading in 50s and 60s production because parts may have been made over many months and serial numbered neck plates usually just came out of a big box !

You can't even trust pencilled neck dates all the time as they only date the neck. [and you did find a few custom order maple capped necks in the mid 60s before they became routinely available.]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-12-31 10:05 by Spud.

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Spud
I suspect that a lot of this information and mis-information has been taken from various Guitar magazine interviews with Keith's guitar techs down the years.
I've read a good few... and they quite often contradict each other in the details.

you can't really blame the authors for using what ought to be reliable information from a good source.

As for exact years of manufacture...sometimes it's 100% clear on examination...but sometimes dating one component will be misleading in 50s and 60s production because parts may have been made over many months and serial numbered neck plates usually just came out of a big box !

You can't even trust pencilled neck dates all the time as they only date the neck. [and you did find a few custom order maple capped necks in the mid 60s before they became routinely available.]

That was a very good answer!

Totally agree with that.

I've never seen neither the serial number on Sonny, nor pictures of the neck plate on the Mary Kay Strat. I asked for this, but obviously the writer above does not have such image evidence. I stand by my opinion regardless of the cues and rudeness from fellow compatriot above who obviously do not know what he talks about other than what is stated in a book with many proved errors.

I just don't see the point of getting upset about these details...which we know can leave a little open to interpretation and opinion.

If errors are made due to carelessness or gross ignorance...that's another matter...but I think most folks are genuinely trying to get it right.

"I stand by my opinion regardless of the cues and rudeness from fellow compatriot above who OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT other than what is stated in a book with many proved errors."

Cheers mate, you were the one who acted a bit out of order first, I used a very friendly tone from the beginning asking about something I took for granted was common knowledge, that is Sonny being a '67. So maybe I wasn't "WRONG" my dear patronizing Jeppe?

As I am very interested in Keith's guitars and started to collect the same guitars as he uses (only Gibsons and Fenders though) about 20 years ago I have ALSO read a lot of different sources, not just the relatively new Rolling Stones Gear book, trying to get my collection right.

Alan Rogans interview from the Tattoo You era is for example IMHO the perfect original source as it's freshly done after the tour. No errors in that one as far as I can tell.

But lads, surely Keith used two Tele Customs? The black toggle switch (1975) he bought in San Antonio and the one with the White toggle switch (1976) which was brought in a bit later?

You're a rag trade girl, You're the queen of porn, You're the easiest lay on the white house lawn!!

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Mathijs

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JumpinJeppeFlash
There are several errors.

Micawber is NOT a 54 Tele (Malcolm is), it´s a 53 Tele.

Sonny is NOT a 67 Tele, it´s a 66 Tele.

The Mary Kay strat (the one Keith got from Ronnie) is NOT a 58 Strat, it´s a 57 Strat.

Also Keith has played several black Tele Customs, the one he played during ABB Tour is not a 72, it´s a 75.

Only a few of Keiths more famous guitars is mentioned in the youtube clip, there are many more for example Keiths stock 52 Tele nicknamed George and the red 59 355.

Sonny is a 1967 maple capped Tele. The maple cap didn't come factory standard before January 1967, and in 1966 the Fender logo was still the open gold trim logo. Serial number is also from 1967.

The Mary Kaye is from 1958, not from 1957, as evidenced by the serial number on the neck plate.

Keith only has had two black Fender Telecaster Customs -the 1975 he used from 1975 until 1983, and a copy assembled in 1983 by Jim Barber, which he most probably never used.

Micawber is a 1953, Malcolm a 1954.

And just to note -Keith never named any of his guitars any names.

Mathijs

Good eye Mathijs , specifically about the 1967 Telecaster !

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Spud
I just don't see the point of getting upset about these details...which we know can leave a little open to interpretation and opinion.

If errors are made due to carelessness or gross ignorance...that's another matter...but I think most folks are genuinely trying to get it right.

I'm glad you say this Spud, because I see it that way too. That type of video clip, or e.g. the Stones Gear book, or even fan authored books - often I catch some mistakes, often I do not, but almost always my first reaction and impulse is one of "Job well done, and thank you". And not "There are several mistakes in here".

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Palace Revolution 2000

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Spud
I just don't see the point of getting upset about these details...which we know can leave a little open to interpretation and opinion.

If errors are made due to carelessness or gross ignorance...that's another matter...but I think most folks are genuinely trying to get it right.

I'm glad you say this Spud, because I see it that way too. That type of video clip, or e.g. the Stones Gear book, or even fan authored books - often I catch some mistakes, often I do not, but almost always my first reaction and impulse is one of "Job well done, and thank you". And not "There are several mistakes in here".

What is the point of writing a book that describes even the most well-known and well-documented instruments with several fact errors and claiming it to be "the most comprehensive ever"?

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JumpinJeppeFlash

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Palace Revolution 2000

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Spud
I just don't see the point of getting upset about these details...which we know can leave a little open to interpretation and opinion.

If errors are made due to carelessness or gross ignorance...that's another matter...but I think most folks are genuinely trying to get it right.

I'm glad you say this Spud, because I see it that way too. That type of video clip, or e.g. the Stones Gear book, or even fan authored books - often I catch some mistakes, often I do not, but almost always my first reaction and impulse is one of "Job well done, and thank you". And not "There are several mistakes in here".

What is the point of writing a book that describes even the most well-known and well-documented instruments with several fact errors and claiming it to be "the most comprehensive ever"?

So, what would you suggest? Do not write the book?