Rickenbacker ... The Great Ice Breaker!

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 4:21 am

This week I've been in the middle of an audit that I've been preparing for, and dreading for months.
During the opening meeting in my office, the auditor saw the picture of me and my son holding my V63 on my computer desktop.
He got all excited and asked if it was a 4001!
Here he's been playing bass since the 60's and had graduated from Berkley.
He had a Jazz bass that he bought in the 60's but traded it for a new Rick in 1972 because he was such a Squire and McCartney fan (still is)! I asked if he still had it, but he said he "wore it out". Meaning, the Roto's had worn the frets down too much. So, he traded it off years ago.

We ended up talking about basses for the 1st hour of the audit, and it's been much more relaxed since!
I brought the V63 in today for him to check out!

Thank you Rickenbacker!

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:35 am

I can't tell you how many times I've had things like this happen with people like all the various inspectors that come around or other situations that come up.

Once I was checking into a hotel in Amsterdam. The manager behind the desk noticed the company name and told me how much he enjoyed his 4001 bass. He then told me I wouldn't be comfortable enough at his place, personally walked me across the street to a wonderful 5 star hotel, and introduced me to the manager over there, also a RIC musician- who gave me a suite at the same rate as the little hotel across the street!

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:01 am

Is that what they call pulling strings?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:49 am

Funny enough, when I travel abroad & tell people I'm John Hall from RIC they don't believe me.

I need to get some fake business cards or something!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:03 am

No!Marc,thats what they call kissing a**.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:15 am

I think that since their instruments appeal to a unique brand of player, people who play them feel as if they are part of a "club". That certainly is a good thing! Great story, John & Kevin!

amcrory · Post by **amcrory** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 11:41 am

Porsche owners always wave (at least, I do), no matter if you're driving a GT3 or a lowly 924. I feel Ricky players are similar -- regardless of what you play, what style, there's a bond. Well-engineered tool, distinctive style that really hasn't changed since the beginning (check out a '65 911), and not to many of them out there.

-a

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:12 pm

The problem with owning a Ferarri F1 is that there are so few on the road that there's no one to wave at you.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:13 pm

Did you just say"well engineered tool"?

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:57 pm

I believe he did.....

amcrory · Post by **amcrory** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:00 pm

That's what I call my boss, too.

-a, just sayin'

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:45 pm

The thing about not owning a car is you cant drive anywhere to get waved at.

The problem with not owning a ric is your missing out, You have that withdraw effect when you play one and have to leave it, And you get these weird dreams about them. The sad thing is im serious... i had a dream about a ric once. Thats sad when girls are replaced with images of basses.

I wana join the club...

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:50 pm

You're not alone Jacob. I had a dream I was back in Buffalo with my family ( I think that was the point of the dream) but I was showing off a 70's mapleglo 4001. You know, with the skunk stripe? I also had my 76 jetglo 4001. Too funny. Of course when there are girls... well, then it's one specific person I left behind when I moved to NZ.

I love the club!

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 4:19 am

Hey Andy, nice to see you've joined up here!

Where I work Government reps stop in to talk buisness every then and now, and one noticed my 1975 4001 WHT on my computer desk top- this guy happened to play bass as well and we spent a few minutes discussing the 4001 he owned in the 70's. Certainly made that conversation go easier!
-Dave