The John Kay model is probably the hardest model to find
It was also built using the most expensive Rickenbacker model
The last John Kay I bought cost me $6,250.00
value Today probably about $7,500.00
The John
Kay model is probably the hardest model to find
It was also built
using the most expensive Rickenbacker model
The last John Kay I
bought cost me $6,250.00
value Today probably about
$7,500.00
A Rock and Roll Rebel Rides Again
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John Kay and his band Steppenwolf performed before a "standing room only" crowd at a show held recently for the benefit of Rickenbacker's best dealers. Featured in Kay's performance was the John Kay Limited Edition Rickenbacker and the sound which brought Steppenwolf to prominence as one of the giants of rock and roll. The sound that decreed he was "born to be wild" is incorporated in the new model 38IJK which is the modern equivalent to the guitar Kay used in his early Steppenwolf days. To add to the powerful style which distinguishes John Kay from lesser musicians, this model was designed with several timely updates including active electronics and special John Kay Model extras. These include Rickenbacker's newly designed humbucking pickup, active and passive modes, lead phase switch and a four position rotary switch which provides for many different combinations of single coil and humbucking pickup configurations. The John Kay 381 also offers stereo and monaural outputs a customized exterior with silver pick guard, silver nameplate and jet glow finish. Only 250 of these instruments were manufactured practically ensuring the result that this model will become a collector's item for the discerning guitar buff in the ensuing years. Each guitar was accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by John Kay. John Kay, a rock and roll rebel, lately proved to an audience full of loyal fanatics that classic rock stars never fade away: they just become legends in the annals of rock history as do the guitars they play.
Press Release Santa Ana, California (October 1, 1988) Rickenbacker International Corporation announces acceptance of orders for the John Kay Limited Edition. John Kay, as founder and leader of the legendary rock group, Steppenwolf, has been an integral component in forming the Los Angeles music scene since the 1960's with such monster hits as "Born to Be Wild". John Kay and Steppenwolf continue to perform to sold out concerts throughout the world. The John Kay Limited Edition incorporates elements of the Rickenbacker 381 he used in early Steppenwolf days with additions for active electronics and personalized appointments. The instrument features two HB-1's, Rickenbacker's newly designed humbucking pickup, active and passive modes, lead phase switch and a four position rotary switch which offers various combinations of single coil and humbucking pickup configurations. The guitar offers stereo and monaural outputs and includes unique appointments such as silver pickguard, Jetglo finish and silver nameplate. John Kay offered over 25 years of professional experience in design specifications for this instrument. The Company considers the electronics as leading innovations in offering a variety of tonal qualities and electronic configurations. A limited number of instruments will be manufactured. Each instrument will be accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity and Origin. The price is $1,699..00.
John Kay "Greetings! This guitar is based on the model 381 which I first played in 1968 and used on various Steppenwolf records. The pickups and electronics have been updated using some of Rickenbacker's most recent advances. As a result, this instrument, while very quiet, has a high output level and a wide selection of tonal colors." "The look of the guitar is something I am particularly pleased with. Since I am totally color blind, I gravitate towards high contrasts, hence the black and silver combination. I enjoyed designing what I think is a striking instrument, which is made with much skill and care in the USA." "In these times of stamped out imitations, it is a pleasure to be associated with something genuine and of high quality." "Hope you feel the same." John Kay Sookie Sookie Sookie Sookie Sookie Sookie Soooooooo |
| Born To Be Wild Magic Carpet Ride, Monster, Rock Me, The Pusher Sookie Sookie, For Ladies Only |
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Mars Bonfire Get your motor runnin' Head out on the highway I like smoke and lightning, Heavy metal thunder
Like a true nature's child Born to be wild © MCA Music (BMI) |
Born to Be Wild was perhaps
one of the first references to Heavy Metal
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MAGIC CARPET RIDE John Kay / Rushton Moreve I like to dream yes, yes, right between my sound machine
Well, you don't know what we can find Last night I held Aladdin's lamp Well, you don't know what we can find © Copyright MCA Music (BMI) |
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SOOKIE SOOKIE Steve Cropper and Don Covay Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now
Let it hang out baby, do the Baltimore jig Really got it bad child, drink a bottle of turpentine
You better watch your step girl, don't step on that banana peel
Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now
© Irving Music, Inc. and Cotillion Music Inc. |
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THE PUSHER Hoyt Axton You know I've smoked a lot of grass God damn, The Pusher You know the dealer, the dealer is a man God damn, The Pusher Well, now if I were the president of this land God Damn The Pusher © Irving Music Inc. (BMI)
he Pusher was my absolute favorite Steppenwolf Tune, It was written by Hoyt Axton Son of Mae Boren Axton who wrote tunes for Elvis, Hoyt is a movie actor, perhaps his most memorable role was he played the father in the movie Gremlins, Remember the guy who was the crazy inventor of "The Bathroom Buddy" etc. No one can sign this song like John Kay, I have heard plenty of people try, but absolutely no one comes close. Ed Roman |
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