The Beatles' secret weapon is the world's most popular twelve-string electric guitar that defines the sound of an era ever since George Harrison played it on “A Hard Day's Night”.
The 360/12 that George Harrison received in 1964 is one of the first prototypes of the 12-string electric guitar produced by Rickenbacker. It's the second one ever made, dated 1963 with serial #CM107. Specifically, George's guitar is also the first to feature reversed string pairs — with the lower-pitched string placed above the octave one — a design choice that provided a better attack and the signature jingle jangle sound that beacame a hallmark of the brand.
To present the instrument to George, Rickenbacker president F.C. Hall arranged a meeting at the Savoy Hotel in New York during the Beatles’ first visit to America, in February 1964. However, George was confined to his room with the flu, so the whole entourage had to move to the Plaza Hotel instead to make sure he could try it out. Within just a few months, the 360/12 became an icon thanks to the A Hard Day’s Night album and film, securing its place in music history.
A year later, during the Beatles’ second U.S. tour, George received another 360/12 — a 1965 “New Style” model with a rounded top and single-bound back, finished once again in Fireglo. This updated version, with its curvier body and modern look, was used during the Rubber Soul sessions, notably on If I Needed Someone, which the Beatles also performed live during their final 1966 tour. The last known appearance of this guitar was in March 1969 at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, where it was reportedly lost or stolen.
Often described as The Beatles’ secret weapon, the Rickenbacker 360/12 defined an entire era, leaving an indelible mark on the band’s sound and inspiring generations of musicians — from the Byrds to Tom Petty, from R.E.M. to today’s artists.
Considered by many to be “the Beatles' secret weapon”, the Rickenbacker 360/12 defined an era, leaving an indelible mark on the Beatles' sound and the overall 1960s music scene.
The one in our photo is a Rickenbacker 360/12 V64 Fireglo, built in 1994 and virtually identical to George Harrison’s 1964 original. You can see (and hear) it in our very first YouTube video of Paperback Writer.
