Rickenbacker sponsers

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:53 am

I am looking at a bass that supposedly the owner in '74 was sponsored by Rickenbacker. The original owner(according to the seller) now only plays solid cream colored 4001s. Who did Rickenbacker sponsor in the 70s?

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:58 am

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:28 am

That's who came to my mind as well. Wishful thinking...

cmuk · Post by **cmuk** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:02 pm

I didn't think Rickenbacker has ever 'sponsored' anyone. I thought the stars had to buy their own guitars and basses. Although, I'm sure if you are honoured with a signature model, you may get a free one.

Perhaps someone from RIC could clarify?

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:13 pm

Well, I don't know what they've done lately, but Rickenbackers were indeed given to celeb players in the old days: Lennon, McCartney, Harrison for sure, and probably many more. That's just simply good PR at work.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:50 pm

I have never heard of anyone being Rickenbacker sponsored per se. As far as the Fab 4 goes, the story I heard is that F.C. Hall at first tried to SELL instruments to the Beatles. Failing that presented them with free ones some time later. After the VOX fiasco they seemed to avoid endorsement deals.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:58 pm

Very few instruments have been given away through the years; Paul Boyer almost has the complete list there, even though he's contradicting me.

I will sometimes present an instrument to personal friends of mine, people who have supported us for a long time. Mary Chapin Carpenter and Peter Buck come to mind as examples of people you've heard of, and there's some you haven't heard of.

Naturally, celebrity limited editions involve some instruments as well, just part of the deal.

An no- we don't and haven't sponsored artists, although I've seen a few album credits that suggest that.

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:04 pm

Harrison said he and Lennon were on the "pound down, the rest when they catch you" payment plan.

I guess that means RIC may have to send the repo man out to get them?

Is Macca still making payments?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:17 pm

An no- we don't and haven't sponsored artists, although I've seen a few album credits that suggest that.

Radiohead's OK Computer springs to mind.