What Artist Led You To Rickenbacker?

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:54 am

But I never owned a Rick way back then. Much later, I was influenced by this gentleman:

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:49 am

John Lennon and Paul Weller.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 1:50 pm

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr.Christopher Squire...."

jaybic · Post by **jaybic** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:53 pm

Believe it or not - it was a bass player of a St. Louis band I saw about 3 years ago. He had a MG 4003. I just couldn't take my eyes off of that bass! The name of the band is Old School. Doubt he even knows the influence he had on me and my desire to own a 4003.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:11 pm

I think he's in a bad mood because someone just told him his signature bass is ugly, haha! That cover looks like a growth on that bass.
Dave I know that face but can't remember who it is.
Gene, it wasn't Star Stowe, it was the bass that caught my eye, believe it or not.
I bought a double Smiths CD while I was in Lima at the recommendation of young Owen, bored the hell out of me, especially the singer.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:56 pm

Rick (Dick? Roby? Castaways?

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:11 pm

Dave: I have always wondered why Lemmy's Signature Model was not more successful. I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:56 pm

Peter, I would assume it's because Motorhead are considered a little too underground for the mainstream. Sure, hardcores like Brian and myself would KILL for one (or 2) of those, but the masses generally don't know or care who Lemmy is. I was a tad surprised to learn today that Susanna Hoffs had her own sig model...with 4 times as many made as the 4004lk! (60 vs 250) That breaks my heart. Maybe she's a really good guitarist and I never knew it.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:13 pm

"it wasn't Star Stowe, it was the bass that caught my eye, believe it or not"

Bob, now I am worried about you!

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:39 pm

Peter.....I don't think that there is anything saying that it isn't successful......why would you say that? All 60 have sold (and have been for some time) and if there were more they would likely have sold as well. I have been offered some VERY nice money to sell mine and I haven't even received it yet (and it is not and will not be for sale BTW).
The only negative that I can see to the 4004LK saga is the painfully long wait to receive one.....over four years now. But that does not make it unsuccessful.
Some certainly feel that it is an ugly bass and , I must admit, I was less than thrilled the first time I saw it and wasn't totally smitten with it when I placed my order but I put my deposit down anyway since it was a Lemmy Signature Model and I am very glad that I did since it has grown on me and I find it quite striking now and think it is a beautiful work of art (that will be gigged often). Intricate carving, star inlays, walnut body wings and checkerboard binding......what's not to love!
I only hope that it is in my grubby little hands for my next big gig at the Cleveland House of Blues on July 2nd (shameless plug). It would be even better to have it at the Ric Confluence in Ohio.....hint, hint

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:06 pm

Bob, yes, first pic is Dick Roby of The Castaways. I was told he currently plays with Scott Horwath & City Lights, a band playing in the Minneapolis suburbs. No idea if he still plays a Rick.

The second pic is Pete Quaife, I'm surprised Peter didn't recognize him.

I agree with Brian, the Lemmy was a big success.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:05 am

Brian: I was wondering why the Lemmy model wasn't more successful. I suspect that Sean's comments address the route cause of why more units didn't go out the door. As you have expressed it was a success based on its uniqueness as an instrument. The carving must have been a chore for those on the line. As a further comment, the silver lining may be that the smaller number of units produced will increase its value as a collectable Rickenbacker.

Dave: I did recognize Pete Quaife but was interrupted before I got a chance to post my guess. I am surprised that you didn't let it hang out to dry a little longer. Thanks for this great period photo.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:01 am

Peter.....I may be misunderstanding you but the sole reason more units have not gone out the door (been sold) is because RIC announced the run would be 60....and I believe it has been mentioned that the small run was due to the intricate carving. The decision to have so few models produced may be partially due to Lemmy's relative popularity compared to other signature model namesakes but, I think, more of the issue is the complexity of producing the LK.

If you mean "more successful" as in more widespread craving of the model is another issue. As has been stated some people find it ugly. Due to the low production and lack of units on the street there isn't much of an idea as to what the actual value is and it's popularity. As more are available and trade hands on the used market it's success or lack of could be determined better (if success is determined by market value and excitement when one comes for sale).

What is your idea of what would make it "more successful"? I'm not "the defender of the LK" but this a topic that I have a vested interest in and other's opinions on it are of interest to me.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:42 am

Success is certainly a relative term. It is really difficult to truly assess how popular an instrument may be and what the demand for it is at any given time, unless you are at the order desk of RIC.

Having said that, if RIC shuts the door to producing more units of a model, for any number of good reasons, we may never fully know what the true demand may be for an instrument. So I have no direct way to assess the relative success of the Lemmy Model beyond the sale of 60 units.

Indirectly, another way to assess the relative success is through a sampling of comments made by people who have an interest in Rickenbackers. Sometimes beauty is in the eyes of the owner.

The posts on the Rickenbacker Forum represent only a small percentage of what the consumer has to say about Rickenbackers. If one considers that this small sample size is relevant, then my observation is that The Lemmy model does not seem to have been discussed with the same passion and interest as other basses, for example. We see bass enthusiats drooling over other rare models, perhaps the 4005 as but one example, but not nearly so much over the Lemmy? My casual observations may not be fair or acurate for any number of sampling reasons, I am just interested in knowing more about what bass lovers think of the Lemmy.

So I guess what I am asking is, what is the appeal of the Lemmy, how is it received by bass enthusiasts, is it highly sought after and if not for what reasons?

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:32 am

Thanks Peter.....apparently we think alike on a number of aspects related to the topic.

I'd have to especially agree with your determination that on the Forum it generates little interest which surprises me (since I am biased

). As a whole it seems that the members of this Forum, IMO, are a little more on the traditional side and since the LK departs drastically with the carving it may be a little too different for wider appeal here. I believe that we really won't know for sure about the lasting appeal/desire until the run is actually completed and they appear on the market here and there a little more often. Also once a few more people have them and they get a little more exposure (as far as seeing one in person and playing it) the interest might gain some steam. Then again they could be the "Rickenbacker ugly duckling" and end up as a foot note to most. Another possible hinderance to it having more positive appeal is the lack of availability. They are sold out and likely most buyers will hang on to their's and those that sell will be asking a massive premium so why pursue something or spend time on it if it isn't a likely chance that you'll get one ?

I guess my opinion of the LK itself are obvious so I'll shut up.......for now