75th Anniversary Experiences

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:30 am

Once all of the those who were at the 75th Anniversary make it home and get a couple days rest, I would love to hear your comments about this fantastic event. The photos have been great, and have me yearning to hear about your experiences.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:11 am

Definitely one of the highlights wasn't the guitars, but meeting all the great folks from around the world. The Ric bunch are really good folk. I didn't meet anyone famous (at least, I don't think I did) but I did meet quite a few folks that I'm glad to have met.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:27 am

Nice to hear Scott. I would be interested in whether your viewing of the RIC operation has given you a different perspective when you think of Rickenbacker guitars, compared to before your visit.

s4001 · Post by **s4001** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:49 am

Seeing as I live in SoCal and help run a *very* large production facility, I can empathize with the production issues unique to Southern California and Orange County. A lot of the issues that JH lamented about did not fall on deaf ears for me.

The shop itself seemed well laid out and clean. It's now quite apparent that Ric is a small company. I'm sure there's been plenty of opportunity for Ric to 'expand' and change their ways, but they have decided not to. That would speak to their integrity.

Ric is definitely facing some changes soon, no choice about it. I'm sure that those changes will be handled in a way that will make Ric stronger in the end.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:09 am

John Williams is getting ready to drop me off at the airport in a few minutes to head back east; I'm sure all those who were out here will have some great accounts of the last few days...

I'll start with saying it was absolutely fabulous, and I'll leave it at that for now.......off to John Wayne Airport...

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:43 am

Definitely one of the highlights wasn't the guitars, but meeting all the great folks from around the world.

I'm sure there's been plenty of opportunity for Ric to 'expand' and change their ways, but they have decided not to. That would speak to their integrity.

I'll have to echo Scott's comments.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:50 am

I can reminisce about what a social idiot I am since I only finally figured out 48 hours after the fact that I spent 10 minutes talking about the BronzeGlo Abomination with Ben Hall, his wife and Eric Behring, the RIC paint department manager Friday night and had no idea that was who they were at the time.

Like I said, I'm an idiot.

And sorry folks, I should have known...

eric_b · Post by **eric_b** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:18 am

Hey,we were in "Stealth Mode"

Am I REALLY awake?

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:20 am

I was disappointed in the "coordination". Everyone seemed to be flying by the seat of their pants, including the artists and their sets. There were some people with clipboards, but the clipboards didn't seem to be helping with the issues.

I am supposed to be grateful for the effort, but with a little more control, I might have been able to get accomplished the one thing I came to accomplish, meeting Paul Kantner!!! No one said to hang out after the museum performance to meet him, and he was a no show at the meet and greet at the HOB.

And too many bands for the time allotted last night. I got home at 2:30 and had to get up at 6:30 for work.
OK, end of rant.

I am still glad I participated.

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:25 am

So, Eric, did I say anything I shouldn't have?

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:48 am

I guess I'll say something else, too.

If Dale Fortune hadn't been there to drive the jam session Friday night I'm not sure what we would have done. His willingness to get up there and start blasting away at a pile of 60's tunes like a human jukebox was the stimulation needed to get other people up there to play, too.

Thanks for that, Dale.

Also, kudos to Jeffrey Scott for giving me a bass playing lesson from my vantage point at the back of the room. You can play, dude.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:56 am

My new top three bass players list:
-Chris Squire
-Jeffery Scott
-John Hall

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:56 am

After getting four hours sleep last night, I'll have to say the event at The House Of Blues was the most incredible show I've ever seen. I was there mainly to see Chris Squire being backed up by Spocks Beard, but everyone else performing last night put on solid performances and really impressed me and my wife. The Smithereens were particularly good show though and the fact that the three original members playing last night have been performing steadily since 1981 shows. Jeff"Skunk"Baxter was backing up Billy Hinche on guitar and couldn't have been nicer as he posed for a picture with me. Mike Mills from Minus 5 and of course R.E.M. was super cool as we laughing at my wife trying to take a picture of us. I got Chris Squire to sign the pickguard on my recently completed 4008 right before his sound check and was genuinely impressed with it.."This is really quite nice"...too cool. He also signed a couple programs for me an took photos with me and other Forum members. While Jeff Scott was talking to Chris, my wife and I talked to his wife who was very sweet and friendly. She says Chris really seems very surprised when she tells him how fans like us feel about his music. Chris Squire and SB put on a fantastic show,playing Hold Out Your Hand, You By My Side, All Good People and Roundabout. Ryo Okumoto from Spocks Beard was the the friendliest prog rock keyboardist I've ever met. He said he was blown away when Chris asked them to back him up. Chris also complemented his playing and said he'd like to work with them again. Ryo's Mellotron work on "You By My side" with Squire, was right in the pocket. Suzanna Hoffs was as hot as ever fronting her band. Kenny's band with John Hall on bass(a black on black 4003) was impressive as the C.E.O. himself held down the bottom end. He was obviously nervous but losened up a bit and actually started smiling as he was playing on stage for the first time since the 60's, I hear. Cindalee Hall was right up front with her hands in the air giving the heavy metal hand signs. A reincarnated version of The Starship came on last. Their lead player played While my Guitar Gently Weeps and made a Ricky 330 with HB1's sound better than any Strat! It was really cool to see them play White Rabbit and other tunes with a new female singer who had one of the strongest voises I've ever heard as well as nailing Grace Slicks vocals. Of course I wouldn't have even been there if it weren't for Peters forum and all the great forumites that we spent three days with. Truely the most gracious, generous bunch of people I've ever known. Cheers!

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:26 am

Susanna Hoffs was there????

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:35 am

Ya, she played her signature model too. She wasn't at the meet and greet though. Damn!