Most Memorable Rickenbacker Moment

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 5:33 am

Over the past six years there have been many memorable moments for me with regard to Rickenbackers. Two particular moments stand out, however.

One of these moments was when I received my first Rickenbacker, a mapleglo Model 350, and held it for the first time admiring its beauty, great craftmanship, playability and sound.

The other was receiving an email message from Mr. John Hall after creating alt.guitar.rickenbacker in the fall of 1997. I was amazed that he would take the time to send a short thank you note along. In fact, when Mr. Hall came on the scene in a number of newsgroups I recall a humourous situation that arouse in which some would not believe that he was THE John Hall of RIC.

So let's hear from you. What has been your most memorable moment when it comes to Rickenbackers.

shiraz · Post by **shiraz** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 5:47 am

Naturally, opening the case on my first Ric was a milestone. A Jetglo 360V64. What a beauty.
I've opened a new Ric 4 times since.
340/12MDB
650A/VB
1997SPC/VB
340DG

Playing live with a Ric for the first time also comes to mind. I was guesting with a band that didn't really know me. The other guitarists were giving my Ric glances. It was envy!

Recording two albums using my Rics only (for electric tracks) has been great too.
There are surely other memorable moments too...
Cheers, Noel

rob · Post by **rob** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 6:08 am

Of course, it would have to be purchasing my first Ric, my '76 4001.

My close second would have to be Mr. Hall sending me a personal email, responding to one of my posts on this forum. On that day, I chose to buy an import beer, and have it for later. Upon coming home from work that evening, I turned on my computer, opened the bottle, took a sip, and opened my email window. Before swallowing, I noticed the email by John Hall. I almost gave my monitor a shower!!! It's not every day that I get a message from a CEO of a well-known company!!!

wints · Post by **wints** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:19 am

Your 1st Ric...opening the case, looking, smelling,and of course touching/playing. Having just acquired another Ric 20 years after the last, I,d forgotten about the anticipation of a new acquisition. When I opened the case, it bought back all those feelings, that only a passion can bring...Mr Hall also answered one of my questions personally by e mail. I think that speaks for itself. Where else does a CEO get back to the ordinary guy...And given the **** he has received from other sites...We,re fortunate to have his experience, knowledge and participation.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:51 am

Memorable Rickenbacker Moments...

For me, from an early age,(not knowing how to play an instrument) it was the SOUNDS that these instruments made....naturally as your curiosity grows, you realize the who/what/where/when/how..

I get that way every time I get another one; I have eleven now and hope for more as the $$ permit.

But the most gratifying thing for me besides collecting has been meeting all of the different people that collect or have an interest in Rickenbackers, and participating in discussions; this spans a wide variety of individuals from John Hall to newcomers that have just bought their first instrument. It is a wonderful learning experience.

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 10:17 am

The most Memorable Rickenbacker Moment for me was Christmas 98, watching my then seven-year-old nephew open his present, a Fireglo 63 Model 1000 that I found at a garage sale in LA. Ever since he was able to talk, he had been wanting a red guitar like his Dad's (360FG) and now he had one.

BTW, today I wonder if he doesn't play better than I do.

corey · Post by **corey** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 12:26 pm

My most memorable Rickenbacker moment was opening the case to my first Ric - a 360 MG. I was sweating and felt quite ill, but in a good way, of course!

Being 4th row at an R.E.M. show in August of '99 and being on Mr. Buck's side of the stage was also a highlight for me.

banta · Post by **banta** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 7:34 pm

I too still remember the smell of my first new 4001 & case when I opened it in 1978, which is my fondest memory. Second would be the first time I played a Ric, two years earlier - a used '74 4001 in 1976. I had a T-Bird & a Jazz at the time, and fell in love with the Ric immediately. I bought it that day and from that time forward at least one Ric has always been in my possession.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 1:22 pm

I clearly remember picking up my 4003 at my guitar store after waiting for over 4 months from the time I ordered it. (Yeah, I know - 4 months wait is short compared to now!)

The guy who brought out the bass in its closed case knew how badly I lusted after a FireGlo 4003 for so many years. I was standing in front of the counter when he opened the case, so, at first, only he could see it. With complete seriousness and shared pride he said, "There she is! A beautiful new PURPLE Rickenbacker!!"

I knew Ric didn't have a purple finish, but conveniently forgot it in my moment of extreme anticipation. While purple would make a neat color, my multi-year wait for the cash and 4-month wait for the bass was for a FireGlo Ric! I almost fell down when he said purple!!

My second most memorable memory, Brad, is the smell of the bass! I guess it was from the polish. For quite some time, every time I took it out of the case, there it was! Better than the new car smell!

pcollin · Post by **pcollin** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 12:26 am

My best moment is right now, just before the next best one, as I am waiting for my first Ric (a 330/12 FG). It is more than exciting, especially as I am one of the rare french mad about these guitars. 2 of this model are allocated to France for the first mid of the year. I am one of the 2 lucky future 2003 french Ric owners.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 1:25 am

Felicitations, Pascal.
Il n'y a rien comme une Rickenbacker.
Jamais trop dans la maison.

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 1:38 am

For me there are two, so far.
The first one was when my friend Dawei brought my baby-4003FG back from Los Angeles (I had been waiting anxiety, loosing sleep) and presented her to me. I was so thrilled.
The second was a few days ago. After replacing the neck hi-gain with a toaster, I immediately plugged her into an amp to hear the difference....thrilled again.

dannyboy · Post by **dannyboy** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 6:13 am

My real first Rickenbacker moment was when I first saw one on a shelf of a second hand music store. At that time I didn't even know what model it was but deep inside I just found it gorgeous...It was a Jetglo 360 1970!
And the worst part was that I couldn't afford the 350$ on the spot!!! And the dealer wouldn't put it aside for two weeks with a 100$ down!?
So I prayed a lot for the following weeks until I get my part time job pay and went strait to the music store with my best friend! My legs were shaking and I just couldn't walk in the store so my buddy went inside to check for me and came back out with a big smile!!!!! That's when I purchased my very first Ric...and the best part is that I didn't have to deal for a case since it came with it's own...I was in seventh heaven!!!

sornord · Post by **sornord** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 10:18 am

March 2001: Was planning on putting together a small band with my friend after he arrived at post later that summer. He was just passing through in March so showed him my favorite local music store. I'd already been shopping for an electric 12 but thought a Rick would be too expensive for the amount of time I anticipated playing it. Was looking at other cheaper brands and was thinking, eh, doesn't really have the sound I want.

He and I were in the store and I picked up their 360/12 (the only Rick they had), plugged into their all-tube 2x12 amp, tuned up, cranked it a little, and hit the Hard Day's Night opening chord.

Whoa! My friend, the two or three store staff with us, and I were all just bug-eyed and drop-jawed at how MAGIC that sounded. It raised the hair on the back of your neck, it did!

My 12 HAD to be a Rick from that second on and got my 660/12 two months later. Now it's my main guitar...

rickenuser · Post by **rickenuser** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 7:10 pm

My cousin was my hero...He played in a band in the mid sixties in the midst of Beatlemania. He left for Germany in '66 and consequentially was killed in '68. His equipment (a '64 1997fg and b16a amp along with a Framus 12 string)stayed with my aunt for 25 years, with me having the only priviledge to play it. I had often asked to have his equipment, not realizing how much pain I was causing her. After serenading her with a cover of "All My Loving" it suddenly hit me exactly how much pain I was causing her. My cousin and I could have passed for brothers, and though he was 15 years older than me, we loved each other alot. I believe that my aunt treated me as though I was him, we were always very close. I gave up the notion I would ever own the guitar, and would be happy to play it when I visited, which was fairly often. Upon one visit, after playing for a time, polishing it, and putting it back underneath her bed, she approached me and told me it was time for me to take it home. I'm sure many on this board love their Rickenbackers for it's feel, it's playability, even it's good looks. Personally speaking, I appreciate all those attributes, but I can truly say I love this guitar beacause of the love that it represents to me and my family. I still play it often, and still polish it after each use and put it in it's case and back underneath the bed until the next song is played....