The Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man
The music gear and equipment used by the artists, producers, engineers, and more involved in the making of the 1965 album Mr. Tambourine Man.
Music from Mr. Tambourine Man
Artists on Mr. Tambourine Man
Gear Used On Mr. Tambourine Man
Explore the instruments, equipment, software, and production tools used in the making of The Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man (1965). Click more on each item to see exactly how it was used.
Michael Clarke
Roles:
Drum Sets used by Michael Clarke on Mr. Tambourine Man
Avg price: $1,200.00
In a photograph featured on the official Byrds website, Michael Clarke is clearly seen playing a Ludwig Super Classic Drum Set during a session with The Byrds.
Guitars used by Roger McGuinn on Mr. Tambourine Man
Rickenbacker 360/12 12-String Hollowbody
Avg price: $2,865.83
In the hands of Roger McGuinn, this Rickenbacker electric twelve-string guitar provided the signature sound for the Byrds and, moreover, marked the merging of folk and rock music in the mid 1960s.
Inspired by George Harrison’s use of a Rickenbacker twelve-string (the company’s very first twelve-string) in the Beatles’ film A Hard Day’s Night, McGuinn bought one for himself in early 1965. It was originally a model 360-12, with two pickups, but in 1966 he sent it back to the factory to have an extra pickup installed, making it a model 370-12. At the same time, the factory added a compressor, controlled by the mini-switch in the pickguard. To avoid the extra-long headstock that most twelve-strings require, Rickenbacker staggered the tuner mountings on the back and the side of the headstock. Rickenbacker also reversed the typical configuration of the octave string pairs so that the player’s downstroke hit the low string first. The result was a unique sound that made McGuinn’s opening figure on “Mr. Tambourine Man” instantly recognizable.
This guitar was stolen in 1966 at a Byrds concert at Fordham University in New York and didn’t resurface again until the statute of limitations expired. McGuinn immediately ordered another 370-12 in Mapleglo (Rickenbacker’s name for natural finish) and continued to set the standard for twelve-string guitar in rock music
Chris Hillman
Roles:
Bass Guitars used by Chris Hillman on Mr. Tambourine Man
Fender American Vintage Jazz Bass
Avg price: $1,450.00
In the video of the same song, Mr. Tambourine Man, Chris Hillman is seen with a Fender Jazz Bass, around the 62'-63' model. Chris Hillman has used this bass in a few other performances, but not as common as his Fender Precision or Guild Starfire Model.
