How come not too many Rickenbackers On Stage?

[country_gene]

Since Ric's are in such demand, you would thimk that you would see a lot of professional musicians using them. Sure, there's a smattering of Ric basses, and just about every electric 12-string is a Ric, but you don't really seem to see a proliferation of Ric's.

Just wondering........

[admin]

Gene: This is a great, "just wondering" question.

Your qualifying statement with regard to 12 sting guitars on stage is duly noted. It seems to me RIC has a 12-string market share that exceeds 90% and 95% might be any even closer estimate. In some sense, Rickenbacker is synonymous with the electric 12 string.

Based on the shear number of Fenders, Gibsons and other lines produced, the number of Rickenbackers is relatively small and as such I think that this explains the limited number of six string rhythm instruments that you see. I do see far more basses, by comparision, however.

Rickenbackers are not seen by many to be a lead instrument and therefore the nod goes to the Les Paul, the Stratocaster, and the Telecaster.

A further reason why Rickenbackers are not seen on the stage is stated by a number of the pros who have one. Gigs, tours and travel are hard on an instrument and a number have chosen to play less expensive models to keep their pride and joy for home. This has never made much sense to me at all as if you have a quality instrument it would seem only reasonable that you play it.

As always, I am interested in what others here have to say about your excellent question.

[jdogric12]

We may not see a ton of Ricks on stage, but I see far far far fewer non-RIC electric 12-strings!

[jingle_jangle]

I believe that 95% of Rickenbackers are sold to non-professional musicians who don't see a lot of celebrity camera time.

[simer4001]

Which takes me back to an argument someone had about famous musicians not using Rickenbacker's. I pointed out that as far as sales are concerned our (95%non-professionals) money is just as green

[jwr2]

that 95% statistic is probably true for many different brands ... Rickenbackers are good for collectors because the resale value keeps going up ...

[tony_carey]

I posted in another thread that Mansons, my local gtr shop, reckons that 90% of ALL high end gtrs are sold to collectors!

[icabod]

Gee; last nite, I used my 4001c64 about 90% of the time...I'm a stick me in the corner kind of bass player, but my instruments are made for playing....R

[simer4001]

Richard, they should be played. But I was always of the opinion that if you just take care of them they can always look new.

[country_gene]

Good comments guys - thanks.

Speaking of collectors....I just saw an auction where a 62 Stratocaster is up to $23,000! Yikes! I wonder if the collectors are actually musicians, or just money/investment types?

It seems a shame for someone to buy a new Ric and stick in a box somewhere until the price has gone up. Then to sell it to someone else who will stick it in yet another box.........Especially when there are actual players sitting out there on the waiting list - waiting for an instrument that will *get played*.

[sloop_john_b]

I do a little bit of both:



I've got some rare/unique Rick guitars and basses that I purchased fully knowing that they'll go up in value and be worth a pretty penny someday. But if they weren't good players and stageworthy, I wouldn't have bothered!

[jps]

Me too!




My rig for a day!

[s4001]

You see Rics on MY stage!

[johnallg]

I really wonder if Ricks aren't played at the pro level more because of the (false) perception that they don't do leads, don't do blues, don't do..... We saw that disproved at the RIC 75th, especially with "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Then there was "Jerry" Darren "Stevie Ray" Trott!

[sloop_john_b]

I would say that's a huge part of it, John. Not true, of course.