THE ROKES EQUIPMENT PAGE

GUITARS

Like every European country, Italy experienced the pop music boom of the 1960s, and this led to a great demand for electric guitars. Many Italian models were supplied by accordian makers who combined aspects of this established instrument with their own ideas about electric guitar designs - and the end result was unlike anything being produced elsewhere. The EKO company was founded by Oliviero Pigini & Company of Ricanati, who exported their EKO brand to 28 countries. EKO's literature proclaimed that their guitar necks were " made from warp proof Jong-Kong wood from Thailand". By 1964, The Rokes were looking for a new looking design for their guitars and EKO decided to help.Shel had already been using a EKO RANGER XII on recordings. EKO helped them decide which ones were practical and which ones were not. Thus came the EKO ROKES MODEL. These guitars were arrow shaped in design and came in 4,6 and 12 string models in various custom colors especially designed for the group. By 1967, they became commercially available but production numbers show that they did not sell many worldwide.The production years were 1967 thru 1970. When EKO went out of business, many new old stock EKO ROKES went into the hands of collectors worldwide. Today, this guitar is highly collectible in the vintage guitar market. See examples below. In 1968 The Rokes would alternate between the EKO Models and other brands. Shel used a Rickenbacker 360 12 string and a Gibson J-160e acoustic. Johny used a Gibson ES-335 and a Fender Stratocaster. Bobby used a Rickenbacker bass and a Gibson Thunderbird Bass.

Scans courtesy of Saul Smaizys

Photo's Courtesy of R.Scott Johnson of Gibson U.S.A.

From The Collection Of Joe Baiardi & Scott Johnson

AMPLIFICATION

VOX Amplification was owned by Jennings Musical Instruments (JMI) . These amps were made in the United Kingdom and imported worldwide. The 100 watt VOX AC-100 was Shel & Johnny's main amplifier thru out The Rokes Years together. The first prototypes of this amp were made for The Beatles 1st US tour of 1964. The Rokes can be seen with these models in various TV and festival performances . These bigger amplifiers were needed for the open stadium concerts of Canta Giro, so they could be heard over the screaming fans. Bobby also used one for bass and on occasion used a T-100. Towards 1967, The Rokes began using Vox Thomas Organ Beatle amplifiers which were identical in appearance but were solid state and made in the U.S.A.

The 30 watt VOX AC-30 was the amplifier of choice for many British bands in the 60's including The Beatles. The Rokes used this model in the early days as The Shel Carson Combo. Johnny and Shel can be seen playing thru AC-30s at various performances in 1965-66.

DRUMS

Mike Shepstone's drums of choice were 1964 LUDWIG Black Oyster Pearl combo sets. He had a Blue Oyster Pearl set also. These sets are mostly associated with The Beatles but many English and European Beat bands were all using them in the 1960s. They were just simply the Best drums available at that time!