Sort of disappointed with Ric.

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:43 am

As of now there are a couple of small changes but nothing to write home to mom about.

I thought at least for there anniversary they would try to get the legend back in there name.

There quality is #1.

but they cater to the amateur musician.

There is not one Pro musician that still plays a Ric but Squire and Lemmy, they need to get back in the running.

Do they not make Pro grade instruments?

Virtually every band in the 60s and early 70s played Ric's what happened?

Fenders got worse.

Does anyone see the writing on the wall?

I want to see Rickenbacker plastered all over guitar player like they used to be,and everyone crawling all over one another just to see one.

Rickenbacker has the potential to dominate the market but not by catering to the amateurs and not by taking baby steps.

Answer one Question: What Pro musician would be caught dead playing a 4001c64?

Nice bass for us but no pro is going to be seen playing a Ric that commemorates McCartney if hes trying to make or has made a name for himself.

So you take away the c64 what do you have a 4003 and 4004 are either one the best money can buy?

I have yet to see any pro in any band play a 4004 ever.

serious instruments for serious players.

I'm sorry just my take,maybe thinking to loud in frustration.

Chrysler used to in the 60s and early 70s be extremely competitive in NASCAR trying to win races because they knew by supplying the pro's with the right goods[race cars] they would win races and the public would buy what ever they made.

Maybe Ric. needs to sign some pro race car drivers on,like Geddy Lee and Stanley Clark...Do some sponsoring!

I know this sounds really blunt but I guess I don't know how to express myself and sound tactful, the truth is what it is.

I just want to see Ric's on every stage again.

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:58 am

I for one would LOVE to see exotic wood options, and 24 frets! I'd pay the extra money for these options! Oh a Ric with purple heart & ebony stringers!

I know about the back log at Rickenbacker, but a custom shop would be a dream come true. Alembic does it and usually run about an 8 month wait. Granted, they don't sell as many basses as RIC, but they seem to keep selling these 5-8K basses without a problem!

I own 2 Alembics and the same could be said about them. They had a lot of exposure with the Dead, ELP, Stanley Clark, Victor Wooten, and the list goes on and on. They seem to have made a transition into a STUDIO instrument, not too many of them seen on stage anymore.

My only "dissapointment" with RIC is their customer service. I don't want to go into it here in a public forum, but very frustrating.

I agree, I'd love to see RIC get some more limelight, but they seem to know what they are doing. I'm sure if sales slacked off, Mr. Hall has something up his sleeve to keep them in the black.

Off topic: Resale. Funny thing, used RICS bring the same if not MORE than their new instruments. Alembic, on the other hand, used basses sell for about 1/5 of the new cost. I love them both, they are the only basses I own. Any other Alem-Ric owners out there?

frode · Post by **frode** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:16 am

Couldn´t agree more Kenneth

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:27 am

Ken,

Interesting post. I think a lot of pro players use RICs but maybe not high profile ones. I bought my Azureglo ’80 from the bass player of The Fall, maybe not a household name in the States, but pretty well known over here. The reason that he was selling it was that it lacked massive low end grunt, he bout an old Fender P to replace it.

I also don’t think that many pro players will go for exotic finishes or limited editions, Fender have always done these and are aimed at the semi pro or amateur. Most pro bass players use standard Fender P or J, not necessarily vintage. Over here in the UK It looks a bit naf (don’t know of the American for naf) to be seen with a very exotic instrument.

Hell, even my band take the rise out of me for having such clean looking basses, they consider, as I do that a few battle scars look much more cool that a squeaky clean bass, even if it’s vintage.

I think RIC need to make a blindingly good standard bass, and not spend too much time with special editions etc.

The perceived down side of a RIC is that it is a one trick pony, rock bass that goes twang. You know, and I know and every other RIC owner knows that this is just not the case, but I bet 90% of Fender owners don’t know.

I have spent the past 27 years in advertising as a photographer in the UK, and I would bet my shirt on the fact that the only problem that RIC have, though it may not be a small one, is to educate the new generation of bass players, and some of the old pros that RIC make a damn fine, very playable and versatile sounding instrument.

I know the guys at The Bridge well. They have the advertising account for Ashdown and Celestion speakers. I’m sure that it is mostly down to their aggressive marketing and advertising that has made Ashdown such a high profile and respected company, and not least their products being an object of desire for the bass playing youth.

I would be thrilled if there was any way that I could get involved with the marketing of RIC, but I fear the UK is probably just too far from sunny California.

green_us90 · Post by **green_us90** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:28 am

RIC has based its reputation on evolution of product, not overnight changes. I think the changes this year which John Hall and crew have initiated are great, and will benefit me when I am in the market for a new RIC.

Personally, I could care less how many "big" artists play them because *I* like like mine for what they are- high quality, great sounding instruments that hold their value.

lars · Post by **lars** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:57 am

Musical instruments compared to race cars?
Hm...
I believe a musicians choise of instrument is more than anything based on emotions. Even more than playability, sound and ergonomy. Even high profiled Pro musicians would play on an inferior instrument if that instrument appeals to his emotions. There are two kinds of musicians: those who are emotional players, and those who play music as an athletic contest.
I do not agree with Ken that no pro musicians play Rickenbacker. One of Norways most profiled band "Madrugada" (seen on the Nobel peace price concert, broadcasted worldwide) has a bass player that uses a pre '75 4001 all the time.
I hope RIC keep on making "emotional" instruments, as music is IMHO all about emotions.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:18 am

Ken - I'm not sure what you mean by "pro grade". In your opinion, what is it that Ric instruments lack?

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:45 am

I think if they wanted to get pros, they would go after so endorsement deals, much like Dean and Schecter do.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 4:54 am

"Personally, I could care less how many "big" artists play them because *I* like like mine for what they are- high quality, great sounding instruments that hold their value."

+1

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:01 am

"Personally, I could care less how many "big" artists play them because *I* like like mine for what they are- high quality, great sounding instruments that hold their value."

+2

I think RIC makes a statement by NOT running after the so called "Pro's".

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:12 am

Ken, stop worrying about "who" plays Ricks. If the sound works for you then it does...if not, play something else.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:17 am

I don't buy a bass based on re-sale value. Case in point, the 70's and 80's Peavey T series basses are just incredible and they can be had on eBay for cheap. Do I care who plays them???? Hell no. I hate to say it but they are more versatile than Ricks. And American made. Go ahead and laugh saying Peavey doesn't make quality....try one out.

(ducking for cover)

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:49 am

I think theres a big lack of musical heros since the 70's. My memories of growing up included guys that had to have Les Pauls like Jimmy Page, or Teles like Keith Richards. In my case it was the 4001 like Squire and Geddy.

We just don't have those type of idol worship of the musicianship today, although I think there still are some very fine musicians out there. IMO, some of this has to do with the shelf life of current musical groups who just don't have the staying power of Zeppelin, the Who, Stones etc...

None of this is Rickenbacker's fault.

With that said, it does bother me that the 4004 has not become more of a mainstream instrument(As seen on TV etc) but, That's OK. I think it's the best kept secret in musical instruments.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:52 am

Just wanted to add that my love for Rickenbackers is for the sound and the beauty of the instrument. At this point, I could give a rat's behind who uses them.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:04 am

I had a bass player come up to me after last night's show and ask me what kind of bass I was playing. I told him Rickenbacker. He said "those basses sound amazing! I can't get my bass to sound anywhere near that great. Totally awesome!" That's enough for me. And as far as versitility goes, I play my Ricks in a country/rock band and can get any tone I need at the drop of a hat. Everything from classic country to 80's, and modern rock. They are priced pretty reasonable for an American made instrument these days and hold their value well. The only down side is the loooong wait for new orders. That tells me that JH is doing the right things. If I could only play one bass(and I've played many brands, like so many of you),it would be a Rick.