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1985 Rickenbacker 330 Jet-glo, as made famous by Johnny Marr

What difference does it make?  The forensic experts will point to the 1982 model for the perfect match - narrower headstock, different tuners.  But play this younger brother once and you'll still be jumping in front of flying bullets for it.

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Johnny Marr bought his Jet-glo 330 new from A1 Repairs in Manchester: "I loved the idea of a Ricky, but what really made me want to buy it was that I knew it would make me play in a different way, and certainly make me write in a way I should write".  A recurring theme in Johnny's career - the make and model of the guitar inspires him to write in different ways.  At the time, it was perfect for the melody-driven output of The Smiths in their earliest days - and it's the one we most remember.

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Whether it was the prominence Johnny Marr brought to it, a revitalised affection for all things 60s after a decade of denial, or a new generation brought up on the jagged electricity coming out of Paul Weller's Rickenbacker in The Jam, you'd be hard-pressed in the 80s to find a lyrically-poetic, guitar-based band without a Rickenbacker 330 somewhere in the mix.  In the 90s it even made it onto the cover of Oasis' debut single Supersonic, as one of the seemingly numberless guitars that Johnny Marr generously lent to fellow Mancunian Noel Gallagher in the early days of Oasis.  And it's still as popular today.  The 330 is the guitar of choice for current bands like Blossoms - both Tom Ogden and Josh Dewhurst often to be seen toting a 330.  To be fair, they're diehard fans of The Smiths.  So much so that they they even took to the stage with their own Smiths tribute in 2021 and again at Glastonbury in 2023, fronted by none other than 80s icon Rick Astley.  Charming men, each and every one of them - and clearly with impeccable taste to match ;-).

See & Hear It In Action
  • Imagine: The Story Of The Guitar: Fantastic! Johnny talking about and playing the 330: "I wanted to sound like an entire record when I played."
  • This Charming Man (1983):  Second single, first official video,  Many thought that the riff was played on a 12-string.,  And then, for a long time, on producer John Porter's restored 1954 Fender Telecaster, the behind-the-scenes guitar that featured on many of the early-Smiths songs.  Thanks to Marr's Guitars, we now have the definitive story.  It was two guitars - the 330 double-tracked with that Telecaster.  The best of two sounds.  Genius!.  
  • I Can't Stand It - Blossoms (2019):  And it's still there today.  The 330 a popular choice for 2019 Global Awards Best Indie award winners, Blossoms.  Check out their performance at the awards night to see Josh Dewhurst with Jet-glo 330 in hand.  The cycle of life continues!
  • Recreating The Jam's Start! for Sainsbury's (2024):  You've seen the ad.  Now see and hear how Paul Sumpter and the team at The Futz Butler created an instrumental-only version of Start! that's just indistinguishable from the original.  Even down to the ring of the snare drum.  And hear the full version on Soundcloud.  Amazing!
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Specification

Make

Rickenbacker

Model

330

Colour

Jet-glo

Year

1985

Serial  Number

YJ 1892

Number of Frets

24

Fretboard

Varnished Rosewood

Neck

Maple

Body

Carved Maple

Tuners

Schaller, M6 135

Pick-ups

Rickenbacker Hi-gain

Bridge

Rickenbacker Bridge & Cover

Tailpiece

Rickenbacker "R" Tailpiece

Scale Length

24.75"

Full Length

38.50"

Further Information:

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  • Of all the major manufacturers, Rickenbacker fully deserves the archivist's Oscar - by far the most comprehensive collection of specs, brochures and history.  Even down to the component numbers for each of the parts that goes into each guitar.

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  • Which means there isn't that much to add to what Rickenbacker has already said.  So, just one lesser-known fact.  The distinctive sound-hole for which Rickenbackers are famous is called a "cat's eye slash".  Nice.

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  • The classic narrow neck, that lovely Rickenbacker bridge assembly, the Rickenbacker Hi-gain pick-ups, the distinctive "R" tailpiece, and that Tone Mixer knob all combine to give this guitar a lot more versatility than the "jangly" sound it's know for.

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  • Having not rushed out to get hold of a 330 back in the 80s, it's a real eye-opener now to experiment with the sounds this guitar can put out.  Huge tonal warmth with the Bridge pick-up and Tone Mixer on max, a Fender Bridge/Middle type twang on the combined pick-up setting, and, yes, the chiming jangle of the Bridge pick-up on its own.  If may be famous for one sound, but this wonderful guitar has a lot more going for it.

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  • And finally, the geeky bit.  Up until 2023, most of the references to the guitar, including his own, date the guitar to 1983.  But in the definitive treasure trove that is Marr's Guitars he dates it to 1982.  Rickenbacker has one of the clearest serial numbering systems I know, and the serial number of VI2485 on Johnny Marr's definitely makes it a September 1982 guitar.  So my guess is he bought it new in 1983, which is why he called it a 1983 for so many years, but finally confirmed the date by the serial number when putting together Marr's Guitars.  Told you it was the geeky bit.  Whatever, the 330 has the same design features in both years.  So either 1982 or 1983 are still the Holy Grail years for many a Smiths fan.  Deservedly an icon!

Sources & Links
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