Rickenbacker was founded in 1931 by Adolf Rickenbacher and George Beauchamp.

In 1932 the company became the world's first to produce electric guitars and eventually produced a range of electric and bass guitars.

The Rickenbacker name became famous around to the world thanks to The Beatles in the 1960s. John Lennon used a Rickenbacker 325 in Hamburg and many of the groups Cavern performances.
 
George Harrison was given one of the first two 12 string Rickenbackers that would launch the 1960s jangle sound the inspired others such as Roger McGuinn and Pete Townsend. 

Paul McCartney also moved on to using a Rickenbacker bass guitar in the late 60s after he had retired his famous 'violin' bass.

Other famous Rickenbacker players include Tom Petty, Peter Buck (REM), Suzanna Hoffs (The Bangles), Glenn Frey (The Eagles), Paul Weller (The Jam) Bruce Foxton (The Jam) and Johnny Marr (The Smiths).