In denial? Vainglorious? LOL!
Rickenbacker clearly makes thousands of instruments per year, and John Hall's public statements certainly indicate to me that the company is doing_very_well. Do you have even one shred of evidence to back up any belief that the company is not doing great and/or is dissatisfied with its own operations and market share? If so, please share them with us.
Vainglory would be Rickenbacker making boastful statements that were untrue. Have any evidence of this? Please show me.
Yes, I'm now even more amazed, because now you're telling us what you suppose John Hall wishes. My impression is that he is very happy with the company right where it is. Can you point me to any statement where he says otherwise?
We all like to think about what we might do if we owned our favorite companies. Along those lines, it's fine to say, yeah, I wish they still made the 4001v63, I wish they offered a certain color, etc. But here and elsewhere, I have seen people essentially telling Rickenbacker what they need to do to stay in business, expand their market, bring younger players in, etc. There are a number of you out there who think they are in unhealthy shape and in danger of going under, and you also think they want your advice about it! I think this is presumptuous and dead wrong.
Why Don't Famous Lead Guitarists Use Rickenbackers?
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
-
ricnvolved
Paul makes some acutely substantial points concerning the possible future of our favorite musical instrument company. They're also very unsettling for us genuine Ric lovers who want this company to thrive long after our time on this earth is done. I have personally discussed many of the things Paul has brought up in his posts in private e-mails with a certain person who is a fixture at this forum.
This man explicitly stated that the long-term future of Rickenbacker is indeed perilous & uncertain. The richly deserved reputation of it's storied past will carry this company only so far into the future. Those of us (myself included) who could be considered "The Old Guard" aren't going to be around forever. Most of the younger players coming up today don't give a hairy rat's rear-end about The Beatles or The Byrds. Tom Petty and Peter Buck are becoming more like "old farts" with each passing day. What musical hero is out there now playing a Ric guitar to at least inspire these younger players to give Ric a try?
Paul, you've already stated the case far more comprehensively than I ever could. If Rickenbacker International Corporation ever meets it's demise, it will be an extremely painful day. I just hope I'm not around if it happens.
This man explicitly stated that the long-term future of Rickenbacker is indeed perilous & uncertain. The richly deserved reputation of it's storied past will carry this company only so far into the future. Those of us (myself included) who could be considered "The Old Guard" aren't going to be around forever. Most of the younger players coming up today don't give a hairy rat's rear-end about The Beatles or The Byrds. Tom Petty and Peter Buck are becoming more like "old farts" with each passing day. What musical hero is out there now playing a Ric guitar to at least inspire these younger players to give Ric a try?
Paul, you've already stated the case far more comprehensively than I ever could. If Rickenbacker International Corporation ever meets it's demise, it will be an extremely painful day. I just hope I'm not around if it happens.
-
wileyibex
Wow, somebody up there needs a nap!
But the message is clear: he can read minds and I can't. I can live with that.
Face this fact, though, Friend David: the guitar-maker to the Beatles, Byrds, et al, is now a "niche" manufacturer in today's electric guitar market. Life is not always comfortable and secure for such companies. And when your most famous endorsers are in their 50's and 60's, with their big hits behind them -- or deceased; that's not a great sign for the future. But relax, they still sell thousands of guitars a year, right?
As a parallel, Buick outsells BMW in the US, for instance. Now which of those car companies do you suppose has a future, David? Buick makes TENS of thousands of cars a year. They probably have some plants at "full capacity." But who are they selling to? For whom are they an "aspirational" vehicle? Precisely. That puts them two steps behind Oldsmobile. And Ric sells to Boomers; and we're getting older. Ric needs to address the children (and grandchildren) of us Boomers to ensure a stable and secure future. But most of the aforementioned children don't know Ric's and don't care a rat's hiney about them. That must be remedied. My friend's daughter's boyfriend plays bass in a band; I went to hear them at a club recently, and in talking with them, I mentioned that they were welcome to use my Ric 360/12 anytime they wished...they looked at me the way a cow stares at a new gate; didn't know what a Rickenbacker was or what it was for. Ouch.
So let's go at it again. Ric "owns" the 12-string market. Promote that fact. You need players? Example: Buddy Miller (solo, Buddy and Julie Miller, guitarist for EmmyLou Harris, Steve Earle, Nashville guitarist of the year in 2000, producer) owns and plays a 330/12. Promote the fact that he's a Ric user. Make sure he has a pretty one to tour with. Etc., etc...
The Corrs are a huge international act. The brother plays a 360/12. Make contact. Get tie-ins. See that there's good pix of him available with the Ric for use on and in the CD art. Put out a bounty: If you put out a CD on a major label with Ric on the record and use a Ric in the cover art, you get a guitar...Heck, it's not hard to figure who's playing one -- just listen. Then go after them. I'd also go after "name" producers -- make sure that they or the studios have access to Ric's for their use on recordings. "Daniel Lanois? I'd like you to meet my friend, Ric..." Malcom Burn...Ric; Ethan Johns, this is my dear pal, Ric..." By so doing you put the "sound" out there.
The 6-strings are saddled with more of an identity problem, and still moreso the solid-bodies. You have to beat down the perception that they're just "rhythm" guitars..."Well, maybe in the '60's, but not any longer; have you tried the new high-output pickups? Have you ever checked out the sustain of a 'neck-thru' guitar body? What, you want to sound just like *everybody* else...How'd you like to stand out and be instantly recognizable from your first chord? How'd you like to work with us to develop your own 'signature' sound?" You're going to have to get them out there in the market, get them seen and heard.
And basses? Everybody who has heard them loves the sound, but there's few dealers, of course, and they are seen as big and heavy-bodied. You need to get some bands who are in the public eye playing them...see above.
But the main thing is organization. Set a goal, brainstorm about achieving it, develop a comprehensive plan, and implement it. I love these guitars. I want them to survive and prosper; and the way to do that is to imagine the future as you wish it to be and set about creating it.
Here's an idea or two: A Ric Ambassadors Group:
the goal is to get as many new players as possible to try Ric's. Contact artists whenever possible at concerts, studios, through record companies, etc., and encourage them to try a Ric...Have local or regional gatherings to share instruments, and to strategize and encourage one another, and to share information about spotting new talent who could be interested in sampling a Ric...Organize tours to the factory...
David my lecture is over. But I said it before and I'll say it again: I love these guitars like no others, and I want the company to be around forever. If I can do anything at all to help achieve that, I will. Spread the good word.
But the message is clear: he can read minds and I can't. I can live with that.
Face this fact, though, Friend David: the guitar-maker to the Beatles, Byrds, et al, is now a "niche" manufacturer in today's electric guitar market. Life is not always comfortable and secure for such companies. And when your most famous endorsers are in their 50's and 60's, with their big hits behind them -- or deceased; that's not a great sign for the future. But relax, they still sell thousands of guitars a year, right?
As a parallel, Buick outsells BMW in the US, for instance. Now which of those car companies do you suppose has a future, David? Buick makes TENS of thousands of cars a year. They probably have some plants at "full capacity." But who are they selling to? For whom are they an "aspirational" vehicle? Precisely. That puts them two steps behind Oldsmobile. And Ric sells to Boomers; and we're getting older. Ric needs to address the children (and grandchildren) of us Boomers to ensure a stable and secure future. But most of the aforementioned children don't know Ric's and don't care a rat's hiney about them. That must be remedied. My friend's daughter's boyfriend plays bass in a band; I went to hear them at a club recently, and in talking with them, I mentioned that they were welcome to use my Ric 360/12 anytime they wished...they looked at me the way a cow stares at a new gate; didn't know what a Rickenbacker was or what it was for. Ouch.
So let's go at it again. Ric "owns" the 12-string market. Promote that fact. You need players? Example: Buddy Miller (solo, Buddy and Julie Miller, guitarist for EmmyLou Harris, Steve Earle, Nashville guitarist of the year in 2000, producer) owns and plays a 330/12. Promote the fact that he's a Ric user. Make sure he has a pretty one to tour with. Etc., etc...
The Corrs are a huge international act. The brother plays a 360/12. Make contact. Get tie-ins. See that there's good pix of him available with the Ric for use on and in the CD art. Put out a bounty: If you put out a CD on a major label with Ric on the record and use a Ric in the cover art, you get a guitar...Heck, it's not hard to figure who's playing one -- just listen. Then go after them. I'd also go after "name" producers -- make sure that they or the studios have access to Ric's for their use on recordings. "Daniel Lanois? I'd like you to meet my friend, Ric..." Malcom Burn...Ric; Ethan Johns, this is my dear pal, Ric..." By so doing you put the "sound" out there.
The 6-strings are saddled with more of an identity problem, and still moreso the solid-bodies. You have to beat down the perception that they're just "rhythm" guitars..."Well, maybe in the '60's, but not any longer; have you tried the new high-output pickups? Have you ever checked out the sustain of a 'neck-thru' guitar body? What, you want to sound just like *everybody* else...How'd you like to stand out and be instantly recognizable from your first chord? How'd you like to work with us to develop your own 'signature' sound?" You're going to have to get them out there in the market, get them seen and heard.
And basses? Everybody who has heard them loves the sound, but there's few dealers, of course, and they are seen as big and heavy-bodied. You need to get some bands who are in the public eye playing them...see above.
But the main thing is organization. Set a goal, brainstorm about achieving it, develop a comprehensive plan, and implement it. I love these guitars. I want them to survive and prosper; and the way to do that is to imagine the future as you wish it to be and set about creating it.
Here's an idea or two: A Ric Ambassadors Group:
the goal is to get as many new players as possible to try Ric's. Contact artists whenever possible at concerts, studios, through record companies, etc., and encourage them to try a Ric...Have local or regional gatherings to share instruments, and to strategize and encourage one another, and to share information about spotting new talent who could be interested in sampling a Ric...Organize tours to the factory...
David my lecture is over. But I said it before and I'll say it again: I love these guitars like no others, and I want the company to be around forever. If I can do anything at all to help achieve that, I will. Spread the good word.
Consider the affairs over the years of the Other known companies and all their attendant problems; Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Guild. Yes, they're still around, but how many have been repeatedly tethered to and screwed up by corporate "parents" that didn't necessarily care about music? We don't know everything behind the scenes at Rick, but, they are still in the same town,almost in the same building, and the same family. John Hall is doing something right. He keeps his company intact when the EPA has forced others to send their stuff abroad to deal with finishing problems. Clearly, he understands more about business than many of his detractors, or Rick wouldn't be around.
Thank you, Don.
I also remember the article in Bass Player early this year. John Hall stated that Rickenbacker is either the third- or fourth largest US guitar manufacturer. Of course, he is referring to intruments actually built here, not the importers flooding the market with inferior Pacific Rim clones of their instruments. In any case, whatever his niche, he seems happy with it.
Jeffery, if the "certain person who is a fixture at this forum" is who I think it is, he has a personal ax to grind with John Hall. Enough said.
Paul, I do understand your concerns, I simply don't think you have a factual basis for them. Like your Buick and BMW analogy: you clearly have no evidence that that's the case with Rickenbacker. Based on my observations, it's definitely not. When I see a number of younger punk and indie musicians in my city playing Ricks, when I see new and used Ricks in stock but quickly bought, I don't worry about the future of the company.
I also remember the article in Bass Player early this year. John Hall stated that Rickenbacker is either the third- or fourth largest US guitar manufacturer. Of course, he is referring to intruments actually built here, not the importers flooding the market with inferior Pacific Rim clones of their instruments. In any case, whatever his niche, he seems happy with it.
Jeffery, if the "certain person who is a fixture at this forum" is who I think it is, he has a personal ax to grind with John Hall. Enough said.
Paul, I do understand your concerns, I simply don't think you have a factual basis for them. Like your Buick and BMW analogy: you clearly have no evidence that that's the case with Rickenbacker. Based on my observations, it's definitely not. When I see a number of younger punk and indie musicians in my city playing Ricks, when I see new and used Ricks in stock but quickly bought, I don't worry about the future of the company.
-
ricnvolved
It's not for me to get into a flame war here, especially in regards to a subject that's merely speculative in nature. I like it here very much and consider everyone to be a friend; my plan is to keep it that way.
While we're all obviously in agreement that we want our favorite guitar company to continue well into the future with great success, we simply have differing opinions on how that can be accomplished. I don't think any of us here want to see RIC become an "industry whore" the way Fender & Gibson have. And if that ever became RIC's only option to survive, then I'd just as soon they close their doors forever and be done with it. Better to leave with your head held high and your pride intact than to sink to that level.
And I don't believe for a minute that Paul is suggesting that in his posts. What Dave & Don seem to be saying (I want them to correct me if I'm wrong) is that if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. No one here will argue that RIC is going gang-busters at the present, and will probably do so for several years to come. But... I'm not convinced at all that the current state of affairs guarantees long-term success, or even survival. I fail to see how RIC can keep riding on the coattails of it's "Golden Age" just on and on. Those glory days are slowly receding into a past that today's young players are only vaguely aware (at best) or simply can't relate to, or don't care about.
Advertising and getting your name out before the public is considered distasteful, or even repugnant by some. I can certainly understand that sentiment to a large degree. But I DO think it is necessary. However, this does NOT mean it has to be done in a way that suggests you are desperate or "prostituting" yourself. To me, word-of-mouth is the most powerful form of advertising there is. RIC can be thankful to it's longtime, hardcore brigade of the faithful in that department. But like I said in my previous post, we in The Old Guard will not be around forever. Who on the music scene of today will inspire the next generation of hardore RIC loyalists? Paul has stated some very interesting ideas in his posts towards developing a core following for the younger generation. I don't think he would imply that his ideas are the only valid ones for consideration. Certainly other folks may have their own equally valid opinions; let's hear them.
Dave, the person in question who's a fixture at this forum may have an axe to grind with Mr. Hall. And whether it's legitimate, I have no way of knowing. It's not my fight in any event, and the best thing for me to do it is stay clear of it. HOWEVER, axe grinding or not, legitimate or not, I don't think that makes this person's viewpoint any less credible.
While we're all obviously in agreement that we want our favorite guitar company to continue well into the future with great success, we simply have differing opinions on how that can be accomplished. I don't think any of us here want to see RIC become an "industry whore" the way Fender & Gibson have. And if that ever became RIC's only option to survive, then I'd just as soon they close their doors forever and be done with it. Better to leave with your head held high and your pride intact than to sink to that level.
And I don't believe for a minute that Paul is suggesting that in his posts. What Dave & Don seem to be saying (I want them to correct me if I'm wrong) is that if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. No one here will argue that RIC is going gang-busters at the present, and will probably do so for several years to come. But... I'm not convinced at all that the current state of affairs guarantees long-term success, or even survival. I fail to see how RIC can keep riding on the coattails of it's "Golden Age" just on and on. Those glory days are slowly receding into a past that today's young players are only vaguely aware (at best) or simply can't relate to, or don't care about.
Advertising and getting your name out before the public is considered distasteful, or even repugnant by some. I can certainly understand that sentiment to a large degree. But I DO think it is necessary. However, this does NOT mean it has to be done in a way that suggests you are desperate or "prostituting" yourself. To me, word-of-mouth is the most powerful form of advertising there is. RIC can be thankful to it's longtime, hardcore brigade of the faithful in that department. But like I said in my previous post, we in The Old Guard will not be around forever. Who on the music scene of today will inspire the next generation of hardore RIC loyalists? Paul has stated some very interesting ideas in his posts towards developing a core following for the younger generation. I don't think he would imply that his ideas are the only valid ones for consideration. Certainly other folks may have their own equally valid opinions; let's hear them.
Dave, the person in question who's a fixture at this forum may have an axe to grind with Mr. Hall. And whether it's legitimate, I have no way of knowing. It's not my fight in any event, and the best thing for me to do it is stay clear of it. HOWEVER, axe grinding or not, legitimate or not, I don't think that makes this person's viewpoint any less credible.
:"I also remember the article in Bass Player early this year. John Hall stated that Rickenbacker is either the third- or fourth largest US guitar manufacturer. Of course, he is referring to intruments actually built here, not the importers flooding the market with inferior Pacific Rim clones of their instruments. In any case, whatever his niche, he seems happy with it."
I assumed we all bought Rics because we liked what we bought as an instrument, not just a label or brand. It seems that there are many that want to remodel as soon as they purchase. Thats got me beat.Apart from issues like the 12 string nut which is a $50 fix I cant see why there is this desire to change everything.
If John Hall is happy with his business, thats his business. I relate Rickenbacker to Macintosh computers... Not everyone wants one but those that do, by and large, love them and despite the profits of gloom (Apple ) Macintosh has a substantial share of the computer (profit) market and lots of cash in the bank. At the end of the day chasing market share is pointless if just increases the overhead and dilutes the equity of the owner in the process. Rics ARE Rics because they are not flooded around the globe.
Who really cares that *famous* lead guitarists dont use Rics.I , for one, couldnt give a Rats backside. I love my Rics , they are the ones that are missing out and when folks see my Rics there is a huge WOW factor. M Daughters music school owner , and old rocker from way back heard that I ahd 3 Rics and called me to see if he could drop buy and have a look ( read play for look ) . He is a fender player. Thats what I call an endorsement
I assumed we all bought Rics because we liked what we bought as an instrument, not just a label or brand. It seems that there are many that want to remodel as soon as they purchase. Thats got me beat.Apart from issues like the 12 string nut which is a $50 fix I cant see why there is this desire to change everything.
If John Hall is happy with his business, thats his business. I relate Rickenbacker to Macintosh computers... Not everyone wants one but those that do, by and large, love them and despite the profits of gloom (Apple ) Macintosh has a substantial share of the computer (profit) market and lots of cash in the bank. At the end of the day chasing market share is pointless if just increases the overhead and dilutes the equity of the owner in the process. Rics ARE Rics because they are not flooded around the globe.
Who really cares that *famous* lead guitarists dont use Rics.I , for one, couldnt give a Rats backside. I love my Rics , they are the ones that are missing out and when folks see my Rics there is a huge WOW factor. M Daughters music school owner , and old rocker from way back heard that I ahd 3 Rics and called me to see if he could drop buy and have a look ( read play for look ) . He is a fender player. Thats what I call an endorsement
-
wileyibex
Here's a Ric sighting for you all: Steve Earle, holding what looks to be a 360/12/OS/FG, at:
http://www.salon.com/people/feature/200 ... index.html
The interview is also interesting.
http://www.salon.com/people/feature/200 ... index.html
The interview is also interesting.
-
conall
There are many reasons that Ricks don't get used as much as other guitars. One; Name recoginiton. Fender and Gibson unfortunetly beat Rick in this aspect. Two; For those that know of Ricks see them more as rhythm guitar then a lead guitar. This pigeon holes the Rick to one type of use, for which those of us in know realise that it can do so much more. I read an interview, I believe it was in a Guitar Player magazine, with the 80's band Guadalcanal Diary. The lead guitarist Jeff Walls had used Ricks on several different songs. He had said that even though Ricks might not be the greatest for Soloing he used them because they just looked so vintage. Obivously not a direct quote, largely because I am not sure I got all his words exact, but it was the jest of what he said. Thirdly; The types of music now dominiating the music scence are not your typical Rick songs. First and foremost Rap has been dominating the music scence for a long time, too long in my opinion. And last time I checked no Rap musicians, with the exception of maybe the Beastie Boys, dont even play instruments. Secondly the music that is on ranks high were people do play instruments is largely punk and heavy metal. Ricks are not really geared for this kind of music. You can get some heavy tones out of a Rick, but when you think Heavy Metal how many people think Rickenbacker. This goes back to name recognition. The only new music on the scene where I can see Ricks playing a role is Ska, but even this is a strech, again name recognition. With the old guard passing into oblivion I am hopeing that someone in the industry comes up with a new inventive use for Ricks. The world would never be the same without Ricks in it.
-
corey
Given the shimmer and interesting harmonic response that Rickenbackers are blessed with, I always thought that ambient and new age artists could do some pretty neat things with a Ric. Now obviously, this would be using a niche market guitar with a niche market type of music, but it would still be a new direction to go in.
I always wished that Andy Summers would fall in love with a Ric.
I always wished that Andy Summers would fall in love with a Ric.
-
ricnvolved
Christopher-- What has been so frustrating for me in this thread is that some participants here seem to think that Paul Franklin and I want Rickenbacker to "change with the times". Perhaps revamp the entire line-up of current Ric offerings; or maybe even doing away with them entirely and starting from scratch. It seems to have been implied that we favor a major expansion, producing more instruments the way Fender & Gibson do, thus watering down the product the way those other guys have done. Maybe Rickenbacker should give in to the endorsement/prostitution angle and start paying high profile "musicians" to recommend a name they probably don't give a damn about.
Well, speaking for myself, I don't favor Rickenbacker doing ANY of that stuff. Never have. And it would destroy the feelings I have for Rickenbacker if that great name ever felt compelled to do any of the aforementioned to survive. The only thing I've tried to suggest is that Ric seek out and cultivate those musical performers whose musical signature could be enhanced by "the sound" that is uniquely Rickenbacker's. There shouldn't be any need to pay these performers any endorsement other than perhaps a freebie guitar or bass. This is nothing more than Fred Hall did with George Harrison & Paul McCartney when they came to America in 1964. Would anybody consider that a "sell-out" on Mr. Hall's part? I don't think so. One hopes (and believes) that the instruments will sell themselves.
I'm sure there are some very good performers on the current music scene whose musical style & tone could be wonderfully enhanced by a Ric. Rickenbacker should have a "research and development" staff to identify these players and encourage them to discover the very real qualities these instruments can offer. Ric shouldn't wait around to be discovered by the next Beatles; the competition is a lot more fierce than it was 42 years ago.
Well, speaking for myself, I don't favor Rickenbacker doing ANY of that stuff. Never have. And it would destroy the feelings I have for Rickenbacker if that great name ever felt compelled to do any of the aforementioned to survive. The only thing I've tried to suggest is that Ric seek out and cultivate those musical performers whose musical signature could be enhanced by "the sound" that is uniquely Rickenbacker's. There shouldn't be any need to pay these performers any endorsement other than perhaps a freebie guitar or bass. This is nothing more than Fred Hall did with George Harrison & Paul McCartney when they came to America in 1964. Would anybody consider that a "sell-out" on Mr. Hall's part? I don't think so. One hopes (and believes) that the instruments will sell themselves.
I'm sure there are some very good performers on the current music scene whose musical style & tone could be wonderfully enhanced by a Ric. Rickenbacker should have a "research and development" staff to identify these players and encourage them to discover the very real qualities these instruments can offer. Ric shouldn't wait around to be discovered by the next Beatles; the competition is a lot more fierce than it was 42 years ago.
Ric doesn't need to get their instruments into anyone's hands. Those players who are smart enough to recognise them for what they are are the lucky and enlightened ones, those that don't ... their loss. Some high profile players and up-and-comers are using Rickenbackers. Ryan Adams has been sporting Fireglo 381. Both players in Interpol have bought Rics. We are a silent and secret society it seems- 'til we plug in. That doesn't neccesarily address the initial point of this thread. Cheers, Noel
Jeffery and Paul (Franklin) have some very strong points that I agree with.
I'm from Taiwan, and my love affair with RIC instruments took place only 2 years ago. At age 37, I suppose I'm one of the younger generation here. So I can only say please take my "unripe third-worldly" points of views with a grain of salt.
Rickenbackers are hardly known in my country. You can only see people playing Fenders, Gibsons, Ibanez mostly here. There is just no way you can get a RIC here because there simply is no demand for a RIC dealer due to the fact that literally nobody even knows what a Rickenbacker is in my country.
I had to fly to Japan to purchase a 381V69 and a 4003 for the upcoming band that I'd signed and was producing in 2001. I had to ask a friend who went to LA to bring back another 4003for myself in 2002. Also, a couple of weeks ago, I had another friend of mine bring back a 620 from a business trip to Japan for a Rock star friend of mine who had no idea what a Rickenbacker was until I introduced him to the brand. To tell the truth, I envy the Japanese people for having easy access to RICs. And I sympathize with those in my country that want a RIC but don't have friends that go abroad to help out.
To add salt to the wound, there is no way to mail order a RIC from any on-line sellers as they're not allowed to ship any RIC products out of USA. Not to mention the non-existence of after-sale service/repair if something goes wrong. RIC owners in my country can only pray to God that nothing bad would happen to their RICs.
What if famous guitarists and bassists like Clapton, Vai, Satriani, Petucci, Sheehan etc. happen to play RICs? Aspiring young musicians (most of them don't know who Chris Squire, Tom Petty, John Kay, Roger McGuinn are) all over the world would definitely want one.
My "conspiracy" is to spread the name of Rickenbacker among famous musicians in my country and get younger musicians to want one, in hope that some day some seller will feel the need to apply for a RIC dealership. Life will be easier then.
While I feel good and proud to be a member of the niche, elitist and exclusive RIC owners' club, I hope to see more RICs in more people's hands.
And believe me, I'll get all the RIC basses I can possibly lay my hands on in the future, no matter how slim the chances will be.
My best wishes for everyone here.
I'm from Taiwan, and my love affair with RIC instruments took place only 2 years ago. At age 37, I suppose I'm one of the younger generation here. So I can only say please take my "unripe third-worldly" points of views with a grain of salt.
Rickenbackers are hardly known in my country. You can only see people playing Fenders, Gibsons, Ibanez mostly here. There is just no way you can get a RIC here because there simply is no demand for a RIC dealer due to the fact that literally nobody even knows what a Rickenbacker is in my country.
I had to fly to Japan to purchase a 381V69 and a 4003 for the upcoming band that I'd signed and was producing in 2001. I had to ask a friend who went to LA to bring back another 4003for myself in 2002. Also, a couple of weeks ago, I had another friend of mine bring back a 620 from a business trip to Japan for a Rock star friend of mine who had no idea what a Rickenbacker was until I introduced him to the brand. To tell the truth, I envy the Japanese people for having easy access to RICs. And I sympathize with those in my country that want a RIC but don't have friends that go abroad to help out.
To add salt to the wound, there is no way to mail order a RIC from any on-line sellers as they're not allowed to ship any RIC products out of USA. Not to mention the non-existence of after-sale service/repair if something goes wrong. RIC owners in my country can only pray to God that nothing bad would happen to their RICs.
What if famous guitarists and bassists like Clapton, Vai, Satriani, Petucci, Sheehan etc. happen to play RICs? Aspiring young musicians (most of them don't know who Chris Squire, Tom Petty, John Kay, Roger McGuinn are) all over the world would definitely want one.
My "conspiracy" is to spread the name of Rickenbacker among famous musicians in my country and get younger musicians to want one, in hope that some day some seller will feel the need to apply for a RIC dealership. Life will be easier then.
While I feel good and proud to be a member of the niche, elitist and exclusive RIC owners' club, I hope to see more RICs in more people's hands.
And believe me, I'll get all the RIC basses I can possibly lay my hands on in the future, no matter how slim the chances will be.
My best wishes for everyone here.
-
sir_andrew_of_left_coast
- Veteran RRF member
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2000 6:38 am
