Open Letter to John Hall

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:49 pm

This 75th thing has gotten very uncomfortable. We are dealing with two things here. One the physical guitars and basses that we all love. Two the emotions of human beings.

Back to the guitars. We all post or read this forum first and foremost because we love to PLAY (and talk about Rickenbacker guitars.) There are many models, and variations of models, but all of us here are FANatics about something with these guitars that is VERY special. Here is where is gets human....

Each of us love Rickenbacker guitars for his/her own unique reason. It could be the sound, the look, the playability, the vibe, the craftsmanship, or because you saw Paul or Chris playing one. No matter what the reason we are here. When you get any group of people together there might be a little friction. This forum is very well behaved compared to other forums, but on occasion things can still go awry.

The human part of us can never totally agree with each other. Just bring up politics....OK don't bring up politics. You get the idea. My vision for the 75th Anniversary guitar, I'm sure is different from everybody else's. The one John Hall and Co. put together might NOT be our fantasy guitar, but it IS the 75th Anniversary guitar. I for one thank him for putting them out. I'm sure we at THIS FORUM had an overwhelming influence to put these out in the first place. I did not see any mention of this in any press. My dealer did not even know they were coming out. He was surprised on how much accurate info I had. I owe that to Mr. Hall posting here.

This is not a cash cow for Rickenbacker, it's probably the opposite. I'm sure our complaining makes us look ungrateful. Mr. Hall, I'm sure that is NOT the case. Most musicians are driven and NEVER satisfied. That describes us pretty well. And back to the “we all can't agree” thing. You must have pleased enough people to have sold out in 4 hours, and for a bunch of us formites busting to get one of these guitars. If you look at the counts probably half of all 75th Anniversary guitars were purchased by formites.

Mr. Hall, if you need to attend to RIC business please do. But when you have a chance stop on by. It's an honor to have you here. And if someone wants checkerboard tuning forks, and horseshoe bridges they can keep searching. I know I will. And after all, that's fun as well.

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:54 pm

Very nice Rikk!

ajish4 · Post by **ajish4** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:10 pm

Rikk,

My feelings exactly. VERY NICELY PUT.

wj350 · Post by **wj350** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:36 pm

One of the other forums I frequent is also very well moderated, and everyone plays very nice. Several years ago, they decided to do a special run of "forum" guitars through their chosen manufacturer of interest. It was a matching run of 6-strings and basses, all the same color, same basic options. I wasn't there when the guitar was chosen, but as of today, the mods refuse to EVER do it again--just too much sniping I guess among the enthusiasts--pickup choices, maple/rosewood, body color, etc. And this among avid enthusiasts for the same brand guitar!

I'm fairly new to the Ric thing (had my first in 2004)...but I'm very much a fan of the instruments and the folks who I see post here--including Mr. Hall.

Rikk, you captured the big picture extremely well. Open minds, among all of us, are a wonderful thing.

Cheers!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:40 pm

Hear hear, Rikk! Beautifully put.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:59 pm

Great post Rikk.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:02 pm

Amen!

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:03 pm

Yes, great post Rikk. Thanks for the effort.

relayer4u · Post by **relayer4u** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:05 pm

He seems to be very unhappy about it, and I don't blame him at all!:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/forum_view_thread.asp?thread_id=3015&forum=Just_Basses&thread_name=Redesign

marctrain57 · Post by **marctrain57** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:21 pm

That is one of the problems of the internet. We can all post our uncensored thoughts quickly without thinking it through. When you had to put it in writing the old fashioned way you thought about it a little more and maybe were a little more careful with your words. Instant is not better.

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:56 pm

Instant is not better.

Now there's something I can nod my head to!

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:58 pm

You can't please all the people, all of the time. I don't see a problem with people complaining if they want to, but at the end of the day we are talking about a guitar - if you don't like what's being offered, don't buy it! Raving on and on about it won't change things.

While the 75th guitar is not for me, that isn't important. The only thing I think might have been handled a bit better (hindsight 50/50 and all) might have been letting it be known ahead of time which dealers were open to orders, and how many units would be going where. Had I been intending to order and then found out that Canadians were excluded, I could have planned on an order from somewhere else. No matter, from my perspective the idea was a success, so for those who get them, enjoy your guitars!

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:13 pm

Congrats to RIC for their 75th year. I think they truly make the best musical instruments money can buy. Sure, F**der probably has more models, and some other companies charge higher prices for supposed 'cutting edge' basses with exotic woods and computer precision, but Rick owners are a breed apart. We have that special affinity with the instrument that only Rickenbacker can supply. And, OH! Aren't they lovely looking instruments. Classic design, coupled with a loving attention to deatail. And the price is pretty good too. All this from a family run business. The true pioneers of electric guitars and basses. Without that pickup, all the other companies wouldn't exist!!
Here's to a properous future and another 75, 100, 200 years!
THANK YOU RIC...

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:33 pm

Oh Yeah! He's ******!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:51 pm

Of course Fender has more models! How the heck do you decide what to get? I was just looking at the 2006 FRONTLINE and it amazes me how many different variations of the same guitar they can produce.

I do, however, like that Blizzard Pearl finish on the 60th Anniversary instruments. But I like the RIC finish better.