Fake Ric-O-Sound on ebay

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:40 am

why would somebody counterfiet a ric-o-sound???

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:11 am

My guess is because it is $5 worth of Chinese parts versus paying $75 to $125 on eBay for a real one. Simple, dumb penny-ante greed.

What I cannot understand is why anyone would buy a Rick-O-Sound box in the first place, real or otherwise. Why not just get a plain stereo-to-two-mono generic cable for $5 or less from China, since electrically it is exactly equivalent?

All I ever used for my entire professional career was a homemade cable myself, worked great for many years, night after night. Back in the Day (late 60s early 70s), even their own dealers told us not to buy the Rick-O-Sound box because it was overpriced and clunky, and to just use a splitter cable instead. Less connections and jacks to work loose or make noise, compared to the box. Good advice, it turned out. That accounts for their rarity these days... and why they are not made anymore. No demand, in economic terms.

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:21 am

And at the same time, the owners manuals were saying that nothing but the official rick-o-sound should be used because it could add noise, etc.

I'm pretty sure I didn't dream that.,,

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:24 am

It's BACK! But with a different silk screen.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stereo-Kit-For-Rickenbacker-and-Similar-Bass-Guitars_W0QQitemZ170153837367QQihZ007QQcategoryZ41439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:27 am

Smart marketing hype, and I admire any vendor for trying to curb the market for accessory cables if they can. Using scare tactics designed to hopefully appeal to or intimidate the Un-Clued out there is a classic method.

But this is a generic item and you can buy that functionality from anyone, and in a better form factor.

For example, my car says use nothing but the brand and type oil and filter they recommend, and to change it every 6000 miles, or I will void my warranty and damage my engine.

But I still use Mobil 1 synthetic instead, an change it every 10,000 miles. And use a way-better filter than they recommend, and change the filter every oil change.

And my car engine is in much better shape today than it would have been with the cheap factory oil...

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:31 am

It was in a recent previous version.
I didn't believe it, but it was there...and it was smart hype for sure, but it didn't require a degree in electronics to figure out.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:06 am

Elys, I'm with ya on the Mobil 1 but you still need to change the filter every 3000 miles or so and top off your oil as even synthetic oil gets dirty. As far as I know, car manufacturers can only require you to use their stuff if they provide it for free. What do you drive, a Porsche or something?

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:17 am

And at the same time, the owners manuals were saying that nothing but the official rick-o-sound should be used because it could add noise, etc

We correctly stated that use of a low quality cable could cause noise or loss of highs. Certainly since I've been here we have never stated you should ONLY use the genuine cable.

There is/was no marketing hype involved and we offered suggestions to other acceptable cables long before we stopping producing ours. The typical scenario we were trying to avoid is the customer using an unshielded Radio Shack stereo headphone cable asking why his instrument hums so badly.

In the case of this eBay seller, we have no particular problem with the product, only the use of our trademark to sell it.

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:48 am

I am down to just one Porsche nowadays and I do use Mobil 1 with it. The 10-cylinder family hauler gets Mobil 1 too, as does the flat-out racer (my fun car) with its 32-valve hemi with four OHC shafts and 650HP. They all have fairly clean oil when it comes out, not black and foul, so the rings are all in great shape and there is little blow-by.

The factory owner manuals all said I should quite firmly be in perdition by now for what I have done to their engine maintenance plan, but it seems that they were all wrong

Now swervingly back onto topic, sorry...

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:59 am

So, Elys...you've got a "fun car" and a Porsche...

What's the Porsche for, delivering pizzas?

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:06 am

Nah, it is lousy for that. The curved 911 roof shape won't hold that lighted suction-cup sign tightly-enough that Domino's make you put on your roof

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:29 am

Here's Elys walking to his Porsche for a night on the town....

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:37 am

Wow - the wheels are just like mine, can't tell if it has the turbo wing on the back though. I don't have any extra lights on the front though. I once thought about painting flamey stuff or maybe striping over the blue factory paint, but decided against it.

Now, if Paul Wilczynski ever gets his mitts on it, you can bet that it will be showing a totally tricked-out paintjob in no time flat!!

He is the master of many things, and automotive artisanship in design and finish is just one of those many talents...

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:33 am

"Actual item may vary slightly from the box pictured."

I wonder what it WILL look like - not!

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:54 pm

Oops, sorry John, it's been a while since I've held that particular manual, and I did get it a little wrong. After reading your post here, it all comes back to me and I recall it was as you stated here.
It wasn't made "mandatory" as I incorrectly stated above, but it was my impression, by design, I have no doubt... that to be safe and sure, to use the genuine article. I bought one back when they were $75. Seems like a nice deal these days now that collectors are getting their hands on them.