Jingle Jangle Johnny & the Rickenbacker Riff
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lthough Johnny Marr is almost exclusively associated with a Fender Jaguar these days, 1980s Johnny was yet to be acquainted with such a model. For a while in The Smiths, Marr had to contend with a childish but undeniably catchy nickname: jingle-jangle Johnny. Although it’s a tag that may appear to undermine his abilities as a progressive and dynamic guitarist, particularly in his early (and some may argue, most expressive) days, there is no denying it’s truer than true origins - the Rickenbacker guitar. Marr had always wanted to play an instrument that had a lot to offer stylistically and musically, and he found an instant soulmate in the Rickenbacker. As soon as the ink was dry on The Smiths’ first publishing deal, Marr went out and bought a 330 6-string Rick to replace his Gretsch Super Axe. “I wanted it to bring out a side of me that I was keen to explore; more chordal and melodic,” he said. Marr wanted to remind himself that the guitar wasn’t a toy or an accessory, and the attention either in re-stringing, maintenance or songwriting - that a Rickenbacker demanded, ensured he never approached his craft half-heartedly.
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