Description

Lemmy – Rickenbacker 4000 Series Bass – currently on exhibition

If you want to buy this guitar, please go to – Manly Harbour Gallery

About the Guitar

As with all my guitar sculptures, I start by transferring my scale drawing onto a wood base. I make sure to accurately mark out all the features of the guitar; pickups, volume & tone knobs, jack plugs, bridges, fret position, headstock features etc.

From there I usually start by laying out the outline of the body shape using an appropriate material that best fits the guitar characteristics.

I have been heavily influenced by Motorhead since first listening to the “Iron Fist” album in 1981. As such, I hope to have captured the essence of Lemmy, his music, and of course his Rickenbacker Bass in this sculpture.

The wooden neck was cut and carved from an old wooden stair that had been discarded in my garden for years. It turned out to be a beautiful piece of hardwood that complements the guitar’s aesthetics.

The guitar sculpture also comes with its own unique guitar stand. This is specifically tailored to the needs of the guitar with respects to its look, balance and body shape.

About the Artist

Ian Fraser Kilmister (December 24, 1945 – December 28, 2015)

Lemmy was the founder and main driving force behind the group, Motorhead.

Lemmy formed Motorhead in 1975 having been sacked from his previous band, Hawkwind. Motorhead transformed the Heavy Metal scene in the late 70’s and early 80’s, and were synonymous with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) phenomenon that swept the globe.

Famous for tracks such as “Ace Of Spades”, “Motorhead”, “Overkill”, “Bomber” and “Killed By Death”, Motorhead had an illustrious career spanning over 40 years.

Lemmy (his name originated from the phrase “lemmy” (lend me) a quid’ til Friday) is famous for many things, his bass guitar being one of them.

Equipment Used

The Rickenbacker 4000 series suited his unique playing style and the wall of sound that he created is instantly recognisable.

Interesting fact: Lemmy was once a roadie for Jimi Hendrix.

Other guitarists that made the Rickenbacker Bass their guitar of choice include:

Geddy Lee – Rush

Cliff Burton – Metallica

Geezer Butler – Black Sabbath

Roger Glover – Deep Purple

Phil Lynott – Thin Lizzy

Roger Waters – Pink Floyd

Quotes from Lemmy:

“We want to be so loud that if we moved in next door to you, your lawn would die.” – Lemmy

“That was a great time, the summer of ’71 – I can’t remember it, but I’ll never forget it!” – Lemmy

“I like girls. That’s the only reason I’m in the music business – I discovered you could get women to take their clothes off if you had a guitar. And they come off a lot faster if you can play it.” – Lemmy

Jenny McNamara-Furlong painted the Lemmy canvas featured in the picture (not included in purchase). Check out her other artwork here.