Transcript

Cheap Trick’s lead guitarist, Rick Nielsen, is widely known for his extensive collection of custom-made guitars and a funky fashion statement. And his guitar collection is the dream of every guitar enthusiasts out there.

Over the years, the 69-year-old has owned more than 2000 guitars, usually a different set for each gig – talk about luxury. And when it comes to personalizing his guitars, Nielsen is a huge Hamer fan, and a majority of his guitars are custom-made by Hamer.

From his iconic 5-neck guitar to the funkiest ones he has ever owned, here is a list of some awesome guitars straight out of Nielsen’s vault.

Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird Electric Guitar

This bad boy is the one Nielsen plays while performing ‘I Know What I Want During his gigs. It has got quite a Malcolm Young vibe to it and has a low floating bridge. Additionally, it is way lighter than it actually appears.

Hamer Rick Nielsen Box Guitar

Made for Cheap Trick’s Rockford Album, this guitar has also been played by popular late night show host Conan O’Brien quite a few times. The cool box guitar got its graphics from the band’s album cover and looks similar to Bo Diddley’s guitar.

Hamer “Uncle Dick” Double Neck Guitar

Nielsen has used this guitar in the studio version of songs like “If You Want My Love” and “She’s Tight”. This guitar was nearly wrecked when it was exposed to a downpour as the stage collapsed in the Ottawa Bluesfest in 2011, but we’re glad it didn’t.

Hamer “Saxophone” Guitar

It is one of the most peculiar guitars Nielsen has ever owned. A guitar that looks like a Saxophone – we’re not quite sure what was the idea behind the design, but it surely stands out from the rest of his collection. Nielsen was first spotted holding it in 1989. However, he hasn’t been seen with this guitar in years. 

Hamer “Rockford” Double Neck Guitar

Nielsen’s love for multi-neck guitars are neverending, that’s why he keeps adding them to his vault every now and then. This dual-neck guitar was built in 2006 for the “Rockford” album and was also featured in the “Rick’s Picks” exhibit.

Hamer 5-Neck Electric Guitar

One of the most iconic guitars of all time, it is one of the three Hamer 5-Neck Guitars Nielsen owns which was built back in 1981. As badass as the guitar appears on stage, it actually serves a purpose and isn’t just for show.

It makes playing different sounds in a single song possible as he doesn’t have to switch guitars back and forth. The top one is a 12-string neck, and the bottom neck is fretless, while the necks in-between sound like Stratocaster and Junior.

Transcript

Cheap Trick’s lead guitarist, Rick Nielsen, is widely known for his extensive collection of custom-made guitars and a funky fashion statement. And his guitar collection is the dream of every guitar enthusiasts out there.

Over the years, the 69-year-old has owned more than 2000 guitars, usually a different set for each gig – talk about luxury. And when it comes to personalizing his guitars, Nielsen is a huge Hamer fan, and a majority of his guitars are custom-made by Hamer.

From his iconic 5-neck guitar to the funkiest ones he has ever owned, here is a list of some awesome guitars straight out of Nielsen’s vault.

Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird Electric Guitar

This bad boy is the one Nielsen plays while performing ‘I Know What I Want During his gigs. It has got quite a Malcolm Young vibe to it and has a low floating bridge. Additionally, it is way lighter than it actually appears.

Hamer Rick Nielsen Box Guitar

Made for Cheap Trick’s Rockford Album, this guitar has also been played by popular late night show host Conan O’Brien quite a few times. The cool box guitar got its graphics from the band’s album cover and looks similar to Bo Diddley’s guitar.

Hamer “Uncle Dick” Double Neck Guitar

Nielsen has used this guitar in the studio version of songs like “If You Want My Love” and “She’s Tight”. This guitar was nearly wrecked when it was exposed to a downpour as the stage collapsed in the Ottawa Bluesfest in 2011, but we’re glad it didn’t.

Hamer “Saxophone” Guitar

It is one of the most peculiar guitars Nielsen has ever owned. A guitar that looks like a Saxophone – we’re not quite sure what was the idea behind the design, but it surely stands out from the rest of his collection. Nielsen was first spotted holding it in 1989. However, he hasn’t been seen with this guitar in years. 

Hamer “Rockford” Double Neck Guitar

Nielsen’s love for multi-neck guitars are neverending, that’s why he keeps adding them to his vault every now and then. This dual-neck guitar was built in 2006 for the “Rockford” album and was also featured in the “Rick’s Picks” exhibit.

Hamer 5-Neck Electric Guitar

One of the most iconic guitars of all time, it is one of the three Hamer 5-Neck Guitars Nielsen owns which was built back in 1981. As badass as the guitar appears on stage, it actually serves a purpose and isn’t just for show.

It makes playing different sounds in a single song possible as he doesn’t have to switch guitars back and forth. The top one is a 12-string neck, and the bottom neck is fretless, while the necks in-between sound like Stratocaster and Junior.