What qualifies one to be a good Rickenbacker collector?

[jwr2]

Personally I sell my collectable Rics to finance the purchase of my ordinary 4003 and 4004 models ...

I guess I am still somewhat of a collector with over a dozen instruments ... but first and foremost I am a player ...

[rickenbrother]

I have a Rickenbacker pick here SOMEWHERE, does that count?

That's it, Tony, qualifies you as a true collector!

[gareth]

Well, I think there's two ways to answer this question, the long way and the short way. In my opinion, the difference between a "good" collector and a "bad" one is that the good one plays the instruments that they collect. That's the short answer.

I also restore vintage Harleys, and I see the same problems and argumnents in that arena. I just finished restoring a very rare 1945 Knucklehead, one of only 681 ever made, and of which, fewer than 50 survive intact. People often are amazed that I ride it in rush hour traffic or just on errands. They ask me if I'm worried that it will be stolen or damaged. The answer is of course, yes, but if it's not being ridden, it's lawn art. The HD market is full of speculators who overpay for vintage bikes and parts, which they then essentially warehouse as a sort of hedge fund.

When I get the 4004LK out and play it, those who know what it is ask if I'm not worried it's going to get stolen or scratched. The same answer applies, but it was built to be heard, not hidden. If it gets stolen, I'll mourn it, but I'll never regret playing it. I will also track down whoever did it, rip off their arm, and beat them to death with the soggy end, but that's another issue.

I have seen the same thing starting to gain momentum in the Rickenbacker market. There's an influx of peole that are collecting them as investments, not as instruments, and because they are willing to pay a premium for them, they are getting harder to find and more expensive to buy when they become available. For me, it's annoying, because in the case of the 4005 models particularly, it's fairly obvious that this speculation is not based on any particular quality that the bass has, other than everyone just seems to regard them as highly valuable. It wasn't too long ago that these things were gathering dust on music store walls because no one wanted them. If they were that precious, John Hall wouldn't have washed his hands of them in the 80's. As I said in my first post, I suspect that most of the people paying high premiums for these basses have never heard one. I also suspect that they are in for a shock when they first do.

For me, half of the value of the Rickenbacker bass is the art and design of it. I don't think that there's ever been a better looking bass guitar, but it's looks are only half the package. The other 50% is that sound. No other bass has it. If you don't plug it in and let it sing, you've only bought pretty wood. That indefinable magic only happens when the form and the function come together, preferably at bowel churning volume.

I realise that this is a kind of one size fits all answer, so if you collect and don't play, please don't take offense. That you're here reading this post means that you're connected to the magic and the community of owners and players, and understand what drives use to hold the make in the regard that we do. If you are a serious non playing collector, then I have a solution for you to ease your soul and redress your karmic burden. Although it will be inconvenient and time consuming for me, I will consent to come and play your basses for you to keep them in top form. You may even send them on vacation to me in the summer if you're running out of wall space. I will even give them back, tired and happy. I'm looking at you here Mr. Gallo. Yes, I am that nice.

[berth]

I have a Rickenbacker pick here SOMEWHERE, does that count?

I have a Rickenbacker Pen! Beat that!

[johnallg]

What qualifies one to be a good Rickenbacker collector? Lately, lots of money.

[scotty]

Money
A understanding Wife/Husband
Children who want for nothing
A understanding Tax inspector
And too many other things to mention

[kenposurf]

own one and appreciate the quality..

[beatlefreak]

What qualifies one to be a good Rickenbacker collector?

To own at least one Rickenbacker.

And a replica pin, got to have a replica pin!

I have a Rickenbacker pick here SOMEWHERE, does that count?

Tony, that would depend on whether the pick is substituting for the Rick or the pin!

[heinpete]

A good collector, registers and carefully reads the forum to know who is selling what when! Then buys for a premium price nobody else can afford ! And if he finally has swept the market of all desired Ricks, he turns to F....r or G....n forum to do the same!
After a certain period of "stock keeping" and speculation he selectively sells one after the other for an even higher premium price, but only on very scarce ocasions in order not to spoil the market!

That is what I would do if I only had the starting budget
Play ??? No, for what??? Business is the theme of the century!!!

[teeder]

Good post Gareth!

Peter, about what you posted ... well ... nevermind!

[alanz]

I have seen the same thing starting to gain momentum in the Rickenbacker market. There's an influx of peole that are collecting them as investments, not as instruments, and because they are willing to pay a premium for them, they are getting harder to find and more expensive to buy when they become available. For me, it's annoying, because in the case of the 4005 models particularly, it's fairly obvious that this speculation is not based on any particular quality that the bass has, other than everyone just seems to regard them as highly valuable. It wasn't too long ago that these things were gathering dust on music store walls because no one wanted them. If they were that precious, John Hall wouldn't have washed his hands of them in the 80's. As I said in my first post, I suspect that most of the people paying high premiums for these basses have never heard one. I also suspect that they are in for a shock when they first do.

There's a word for that kind of market. It starts with a "B" and ends with an "ubble."

[rickboy88]

Yes, good post Gareth. I thought I didn't post as much as others, but you post even less than I do. If I had any idea that those "outdated" looking 4005's (when looking in the catalog in the early 80's) would be so "valuable" now... Has anyone noticed what "oliviasvintage" is doing on ebay? Big time asking prices. They just bought a dual-neck (4080) on ebay I'm sure with the plans of flipping it - on ebay.

[heinpete]

Peter, about what you posted ... well ... nevermind!

Kevin, that was just a little try of irony...?

[cheyenne]

Nice post Gareth.

[winston]

The most important part for me, though, is being able to share my collection with my guitar-playing friends. I feel pretty damn lucky to own some of the rarest Rickenbackers around and it gives me great pleasure to see others trying out a Rickenbacker acoustic for the first time (yes, Brian Medway, I'm referring to you!).

It was most definitely a first for me and I am very glad that you had an acoustic or two in your fine collection of Rickenbacker instruments. It is a beautiful guitar and you are well deserving of such a fine instrument. I kept the memory though and that is just as precious to me.