J. Rieck Music

Vinyl of the Day: The Who "Live at Leeds"

Available at J. Rieck Music: Fender Vintage Modified Series '68 Custom Twin Reverb w/ Road Case! Stop by and check it out!

We had two instruments stolen from our store via in-store credit card fraud.
The Guitars: Eastman SB59 Solidbody Electric Guitar in Sunburst SN # 12756947 and an Iris OG Acoustic Guitar in Sunburst SN # 756. If you have any information regarding these stolen instruments please DM the store.

Wild Horses Live Tonight at J. Rieck Music! Join us for their acoustic set, doors open at 7:00 and music starts at 7:30PM.

Local Music Instructor Spotlight: Jack Simpson.

Jack Simpson is a guitarist and composer from Los Angeles, California.

Jack grew up in Sioux Falls and spent three years at Lincoln High School before graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy. He is a three-time member of the South Dakota All-State Jazz Band, and in 2023 was one of two high school guitarists selected to play at the Dave Brubeck International Jazz Summit in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Jack has played with and learned from notable jazz musicians across the country including Orrin Evans, Chris Brubeck, Patrice Rushen, Roxy Coss, and Josh Lawrence. He currently attends the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where he studies jazz guitar and composition under the tutelage of Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, and Molly Miller.

Jack has been a regular attendee of Jazz Jam since he was 15 and is forever thankful for the continuing education he receives from the Sioux Falls Jazz community.

Jack is currently giving guitar lessons at J. Rieck Music as well as performing regularly this summer, including playing the Grand Opening of the new Trio Jazz Club located in Downtown Sioux Falls.

Vinyl of the Day: Wild Horses "Runaway"

Wild Horses Live at J. Rieck Music! Join us on July 10th for their acoustic set, doors open at 7:00 and music starts at 7:30PM.

Frontman and lead songwriter Jed LaPlant hails from a family deeply rooted in Minnesota's bluegrass community, where storytelling is essential to the music. Drawing from this rich background, Jed crafts lyrics that are personal and intimate, resonating powerfully during live performances with a balance of deep connection and electrifying energy.

With their debut album "Runaway," Wild Horses have toured extensively across the Midwest, South, and West, earning a dedicated following. Their live shows are high-energy, foot-stomping experiences, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among the audience. The band's rapid rise began in 2022, selling out their first ticketed show in a 700-seat theater. They have since shared stages with notable acts such as Wilco, Shovels & Rope, Langhorne Slim, Dead Man Winter (Dave Simonett), Charlie Parr, The Lowest Pair, and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.

Wild Horses delivers rootsy Americana rock with heartfelt lyrics, powerful harmonies between Jed and Ariana, driving rhythms, and epic jams. Their music taps into their rural American roots, creating an emotional and memorable experience for listeners. At their core, Wild Horses aim to enhance the human experience through a shared love of music.

Iconic Guitar: Jimmy Page's Double Neck Gibson EDS-1275

On Led Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," Jimmy Page used a variety of guitars, including an acoustic Harmony, a Fender Telecaster, and a Fender electric 12-string. This made it impossible to recreate the recording during live performances with just one guitar. Page found a solution with Gibson's EDS-1275 double-neck, allowing him to switch between six and 12 strings seamlessly.

The EDS-1275 began in the late 1950s as a unique hollowbody carved-top design. When Gibson transitioned the Les Paul line to the SG body style in 1961, the double-neck models adopted this design as well. The SG's lighter body made the EDS-1275 more comfortable to play, leading to its increased popularity and transition from a custom-order to a regular production model.

Page customized his EDS-1275 by replacing the humbucking pickups on the six-string neck with coverless Seymour Duncan units, but otherwise, it was a stock model despite the "Custom" inscription on the truss-rod covers. Although Gibson discontinued the EDS-1275 in 1969, Page special-ordered his in 1971. Thanks to his iconic use of the guitar (and later by Slash of Guns N' Roses), the demand for double-neck guitars persisted, leading Gibson to revive the model in 1977. It remains in production today.

Wild Horses Live at J. Rieck Music! Join us on July 10th for their acoustic set, doors open at 7:00 and music starts at 7:30PM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud48IqxyPpQ

Wild Horses - Man in the Mirror Live at Festival Rialto 2024 Produced by Michael Loren Films.

Vinyl of the Day: Eagles "One of These Nights"

Wishing Everyone a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

J. Rieck Music will be Closed on Thursday July 4th. We will reopen at our normal business hours on Friday July 5th.

Iconic Guitar: Rick Nielsen's 1981 Five Neck Hamer

I own three Hamer five-neck guitars, but this is the original orange one built for me in 1981. It's been displayed in several museums and now resides on the wall at Piece, my restaurant in Chicago.

The idea for this backbreaking instrument came from my live shows in the late '70s and early '80s, where I would stack up to five guitars for my solos. I'd play one, throw it away, and play the next. The last guitar was often a prototype Hamer. The stack included a single-cutaway Les Paul Junior with a humbucker, my “flag” guitar with an interchangeable top, and a left-handed Stratocaster with a right-handed maple neck.

This spectacle inspired the concept of a multi-neck guitar. Initially, I envisioned a six-neck that spun like a roulette wheel, but I opted for a more conservative design with five necks in a row. The build was challenging, as I wanted a 12-string, a fretless, one that sounded like a Strat, and one like a Junior. Hamer took on the challenge and made it happen.

Frank Untermeyer from Hamer recalls, "Rick's out of his mind, but in a wonderful way. By 1981, we'd already done some wacky stuff for him and Cheap Trick, like the checkerboard Standard and a 12-string bass. For this guitar, we cut apart five double-cutaway Hamer Special bodies, laminated them together, and sanded between the necks for that swoopy look. Routing the wires through was a huge pain, but we made it work."

And thus, the original Hamer five-neck guitar was born, combining wild creativity with expert craftsmanship.

Vinyl of the Day: City and Colour "The Love Still Held Me Near"

Happy International Joke Day!

Iconic Guitar: Peter Frampton's 1954 Gibson Les Paul "Phenix"

Even if you’re not a fan of his music, you’ve probably heard of Peter Frampton’s Gibson Les Paul, famously known as “Phenix.” This iconic guitar is linked to the legendary “Frampton Comes Alive!” album, both played throughout the album and featured on its cover. Released in 1976, the album became a cultural phenomenon, selling 16 million copies and making the double live album a rock staple. For many teenagers in the late 1970s, owning this album was essential, and the cover photo of Frampton with his Les Paul became an iconic image.

Frampton first encountered the “Phenix” in 1970 during Humble Pie’s performances at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. Frustrated with feedback from his Gibson ES-335, he borrowed a friend’s 1954 “Black Beauty” Les Paul. It was love at first play, and Frampton ended up using it for the entire Fillmore run. Afterward, his friend gifted him the guitar, which became Frampton’s primary instrument for the next decade.

In 1980, while touring South America, Frampton’s equipment, including the cherished Les Paul, was lost in a tragic plane crash in Caracas, Venezuela. For over 30 years, Frampton believed the “Phenix” was destroyed. However, in 2011, a luthier in Curaçao contacted Frampton, revealing that the guitar had survived and was in his workshop. After initial complications, including intervention by the Curaçao government, Frampton was reunited with the “Phenix.”

Restored by the Gibson Custom Shop, the “Phenix” returned to Frampton’s live performances for the “Frampton Comes Alive!” 35th anniversary tour. Today, the guitar is a testament to resilience and rock history, featured in every show and prominently used in songs from the iconic album. Living up to its namesake, the “Phenix” has risen from the ashes, becoming a symbol of perseverance and rock legend.

Vinyl of the Day: Jeff Beck "Blow by Blow"

Available at J Rieck Music: Presonus CDL12 Powered Speakers with Presonus CDL18 Powered Subs. Speakers are in great shape and sound amazing! Includes cables and mounting poles.

Iconic Guitar: Jeff Beck's 1954 Gibson Les Paul Oxblood

Jeff Beck quickly made a name for himself by replacing Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds and forming The Jeff Beck Group with Ron Wood and Rod Stewart in 1967, all before turning 25. By the '70s, he was establishing his solo career and solidifying his status as one of the era's hottest guitarists, largely thanks to his Gibson Les Paul.

Beck discovered his iconic Les Paul not through an endorsement but by chance while browsing Strings and Things, a popular music store in Memphis. He found a 1954 Gibson Les Paul that had undergone specific modifications: its Goldtop finish was stripped for a deep chocolate-brown color with oxblood tints, the P-90 pickups were replaced with full-size humbuckers, the neck was reshaped to a slightly thinner profile, and the original tuners were upgraded. The original owner didn't like the results, but Beck did. He purchased the guitar and used it extensively in both touring and studio sessions. This guitar even featured on the cover of his landmark 1975 album, Blow By Blow, cementing its legendary status.

Vinyl of the Day: U2 "The Joshua Tree"

Iconic Guitar: Joan Jett's Gibson Melody Maker

Joan Jett, initially using a Les Paul with The Runaways, sought a lighter guitar for live performances and acquired a 1977 Gibson Melody Maker from Eric Carmen of The Raspberries. This guitar became iconic, accompanying her from The Runaways' final days through her solo career, and was used to record hits like "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Bad Reputation."

The Melody Maker, similar to the Gibson Juniors, features a simple mahogany body and ebony fingerboard, making it a budget-friendly choice for punk rockers. Jett's primary guitar was a Melody Maker Double, produced between 1977 and 1983, known for its lighter, thinner body compared to the Les Paul Junior. Her Melody Maker, adorned with stickers celebrating feminism and gay identity, shows the wear of years on the road. It includes modifications like different k***s, a pickup selector functioning as a killswitch, and a single humbucker in the bridge position.

In 2008, Gibson released a Joan Jett signature Melody Maker, featuring a Burstbucker III humbucker and a killswitch. A "Blackheart" version was introduced in 2010, finished in black with red and pearl heart inlays. While Jett still owns her original Melody Maker, she often plays her signature models live. The original was even displayed at The Met. The Melody Maker, despite its low price, holds a significant place in Gibson's history, used by musicians like Robby Krieger, Johnny Thunders, Mick Jones, and D. Boon. It was also the first guitar for legends like Billy Gibbons and Carlos Santana, solidifying its status in rock history.

Vinyl of the Day: John Prine "Pink Cadillac"

Due to a family emergency the scheduled workshop and concert for this coming weekend is postponed indefinitely. We will attempt to reschedule at a later date.

Available at J Rieck Music: Vintage Roland Juno-60 Analog Synthesizer.

Iconic Guitar: Bo Diddley's 1958 Gretsch Custom Rectangular Guitar

Blues legend Bo Diddley was a musical pioneer, blending rock and roll with the blues to lay the groundwork for classic rock music. His influential song “Bo Diddley” introduced the iconic Bo Diddley beat, a rhythm that remains a cornerstone of rock and roll. This beat is evident in songs like Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” and has influenced artists such as the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Clash.

Bo Diddley was also famous for his rectangular guitars, starting with one he built himself in 1945 from scavenged materials, including a pickup from a Victrola record player. These guitars were dubbed “cigar box guitars” by music promoter Dick Clark and are still cherished by folk and blues musicians for their comfort and unique sound.

In 1958, Bo Diddley partnered with the Fred Gretsch guitar company to create a custom electric guitar, becoming one of the first musicians to collaborate with a guitar maker. This collaboration produced three guitars: the iconic rectangular Twang Machine and two Jupiter Thunderbirds. The Twang Machine, equipped with advanced electronics, mirrored the cigar box guitars' design and remained a staple of Diddley’s performances throughout his career.

Today, the original 1960 Gretsch Twang Machine is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, alongside other legendary guitars like Jerry Garcia’s Wolf and Tiger. Several of Diddley’s other rectangular guitars are showcased in various Hard Rock Café locations. Gretsch continues to honor Bo Diddley’s legacy with the Gretsch G5810 Bo Diddley model, played by artists like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Kim Larsen, Martin Gore of Depeche Mode, and Tim Vanhamel of Eagles of Death Metal.

Available at J Rieck Music: Fishman Loudbox Micro Acoustic Guitar Amplifier!

The Loudbox Micro delivers 40 watts of clear acoustic power in a compact design. Its sealed cabinet and bi-amplified drivers produce a rich, full tone. Featuring a dedicated microphone channel and an instrument channel with Fishman's renowned preamp and tone control, this amp offers high-quality digital reverb and chorus on the instrument channel and reverb on the microphone channel. Additional features include an aux input, balanced XLR D.I. output, and a headphone jack. Ideal for aspiring acoustic musicians, the Loudbox Micro offers the dynamics and sound quality of higher-end models in an easy-to-use, inspiring amp for practice and recording.
Stop in and try it today!

Vinyl of the Day: Jimi Hendrix "Are you Experienced"

Iconic Guitar: Billy Gibbon's 1959 Gibson Les Paul "Pearly Gates"

"You gotta have the right guns when you enter the town of tone," says ZZ Top guitarist Billy F. Gibbons. For him, this means having top-notch guitars in the studio or on stage, and none are hotter than his 1959 Les Paul, known as Mistress Pearly Gates. Gibbons acquired the guitar in 1968, just as ZZ Top was beginning, and it's been a key part of every album since their 1971 debut.

The story of how Gibbons got Pearly Gates is intertwined with both cultural and personal luck. Inspired by Eric Clapton’s sunburst Les Paul on the 1966 Blues Breakers album, Gibbons set out to find his own. A tip from a friend led him to a rancher outside Houston, where Gibbons purchased the mint-condition ’59 Les Paul for $250. He got the money from selling a 1939 Packard car, which he had lent to an actress friend for a screen test in Hollywood. The car made it, she got the part, sold the car, and Gibbons used his share to buy the guitar.

The name Pearly Gates, initially given to the Packard, was transferred to the guitar. The instrument still had its original flatwound strings and a love note from the original owner’s girlfriend. Over the years, Pearly Gates has acquired scratches and dings, including “thrash rash” from belt buckles, and scratches on the pickguard from Gibbons’ fingernail. Despite the wear, Gibbons has kept the guitar completely original.

Gibbons once received a $5 million offer for Pearly Gates from a Japanese collector but turned it down.