Which came first, the Byrds 12-string Rickenbacker or the Beatles (George Harrisons)?
George received his 12-string from the makers of Rickenbacker guitars in Feb. 1964 and began playing it in sessions from 25 February 1964 onward, most notably on the album “A Hard Day’s Night”. The Byrds didn’t release their first record till 1965. Undeniably, however, once both groups were using 12-string guitars, they influenced each other, as Harrison and Byrds guitarist Roger McGuinn have attested.
