So Cal 2008

[shamustwin]

.... It could be another one-time thing announced a year or two in advance so people could plan around it. Rickenbacker fans from all over the world would certainly attend, but the numbers would be small enough to be manageable, because there are a limited number of people who can afford the time and travel expense for this type of event.

Exactly what RIC did two summers ago at the SoCal 2006/RIC 75th Anniversary bash.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/75th.asp

Yep, myself and others not only got to see Chris Squire play close up at the HOB, but posed with him for pix!
I'm still jazzed.

[mrs_brown]

Still Kicking myself over that one... if he had only taken me to a confluence before then I would have been there with bells on..

[johnallg]

.... It could be another one-time thing announced a year or two in advance so people could plan around it. Rickenbacker fans from all over the world would certainly attend, but the numbers would be small enough to be manageable, because there are a limited number of people who can afford the time and travel expense for this type of event.

Exactly what RIC did two summers ago at the SoCal 2006/RIC 75th Anniversary bash.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/75th.asp

Yep, myself and others not only got to see Chris Squire play close up at the HOB, but posed with him for pix!
I'm still jazzed.

Jerry, I can't believe I talked to him, shook hands, compared sizes, and didn't get a picture with him!

[myfretless]

If anyone is still in contact with Chris, please invite him to the confluence. Yes will be in town around that time for a show or two.

[shamustwin]

Jerry, I can't believe I talked to him, shook hands, compared sizes, and didn't get a picture with him!

Um...compared sizes?

[ozover50]

Yeah...... please explain?

[johnallg]

It needs no explanation - if you were there you saw and if that's the case, HOW COME NO ONE TOOK PICS!!!

[wmthor]

John, I can't help you. This is the only pic of CS that I got at SoCal 06.

[jps]

Don't ask!

[aceonbass]

John, I've seen pics of you with Chris. I remember thinking you were both about the same heighth. Look on the website that Paul W. established for the event. I'll look in my pics, but I know you two were photographed together.

[bassduke49]

Richard's shot above shows Jeff Scott whispering sweet somethings, CS, unknown (anyone here?) and me getting CS's autograph on my old 4001 pickguard (the original one from the "Mink" bass). This was in one of the gathering rooms off stage at the HOB in Hollywood. Chris appears to be an inch or two taller than I, so that would make him about 6 foot even. But his hands are big!

[johnallg]

Thanks Richard! That is my nose and glasses on the upper right! Finally!

Wasn't at the 75th picture site, Dane.

[dodecagon]

.... It could be another one-time thing announced a year or two in advance so people could plan around it. Rickenbacker fans from all over the world would certainly attend, but the numbers would be small enough to be manageable, because there are a limited number of people who can afford the time and travel expense for this type of event.

Exactly what RIC did two summers ago at the SoCal 2006/RIC 75th Anniversary bash.
http://www.rickenbacker.com/75th.asp

Thanks for the link, John--I certainly wish I'd been there. I'm not sure if the 75th Anniversary Rickenbacker factory tour helps or hurts the prospects of doing another one. I'm hoping that it helps, and I imagine others who missed it feel the same way. I guess the likelihood of a repeat would depend on how JH felt about the tour and how much hassle was involved for RIC. I'm just wondering if the Forum has asked him about the prospects of doing another one, be it this year, next year, in three years (for the 80th), or in 23 years (for the 100th). I think the odds are against me surviving to the 100th, so I'm hoping that something can happen sooner!

I'm also hoping the Forum could offer assistance and encouragement to help grease the rails. I realize that these discussions are probably ongoing and I'm just clueless. Is this something that becomes less likely to happen if you talk about it publicly (like Plant said about a Led Zepplin tour)? If so, I'll shut up now.

[myfretless]

Previous tours of the factory have only been due to the kindness and generosity of John Hall and the wonderful people at RIC. If you think about it, there is no real incentive for RIC to open its doors. The worldwide demand for a RIC instrument remains constant. The people who would be most interested in a tour are those who would likely buy a RIC instrument anyway, so it does not noticeably affect demand. It would only affect the workers for that day, and therefore be a detriment to production.

So, all that being said, I think that if there was any effort well-intentioned or not, to put any "pressure" on Mr. Hall to have another tour of the factory, it would appear rather ungrateful, off-putting, and presumptuous. I would certainly never want to make anyone at RIC feel that way.

John, Ben, Kenny, Eric, and those at RIC who read and post here certainly know they are welcome to come and participate in any RIC-related gathering, and we appreciate it when they can do so. However, speaking for myself, I would never want them to feel obligated to have to do anything.

All that being said, I want to let everyone at RIC know that I personally REALLY enjoyed the tour of the factory, the ability to speak and interact with the luthiers, and especially, see the amazing RIC museum. That was truly AWESOME. So thank you. If you ever do consider allowing another tour, I will certainly be there with my wife to show her how all those lovely guitars I have at home were made.

[dodecagon]

Previous tours of the factory have only been due to the kindness and generosity of John Hall and the wonderful people at RIC. If you think about it, there is no real incentive for RIC to open its doors. The worldwide demand for a RIC instrument remains constant. The people who would be most interested in a tour are those who would likely buy a RIC instrument anyway, so it does not noticeably affect demand. It would only affect the workers for that day, and therefore be a detriment to production.

Thanks, Brad for your reply. I agree with all these points and I made some similar comments in an earlier post. That is why I asked how JH felt about the tour afterwards. Since RIC sells all it can make it's not likely to be any economic benefit for the company. The only real incentive to do something like this is a feel good experience--but that could be a benefit even if it is not economic. In some shops I have visited in other industries, the folks who work in production really enjoy meeting customers who love and appreciate the work that they do. And of course the customers enjoy it even more.

So, all that being said, I think that if there was any effort well-intentioned or not, to put any "pressure" on Mr. Hall to have another tour of the factory, it would appear rather ungrateful, off-putting, and presumptuous. I would certainly never want to make anyone at RIC feel that way.

Nor would I. My suggestion to encourage a future opportunity for a tour is admittedly selfish, but I am not suggesting any kind of pressure to have one. Unless mentioning the interest in a tour and offering to help host such an event (with volunteers, organization, expenses, etc) would be interpreted as pressure. I was hoping that would be interpreted for what it is--enthusiasm.

All that being said, I want to let everyone at RIC know that I personally REALLY enjoyed the tour of the factory, the ability to speak and interact with the luthiers, and especially, see the amazing RIC museum. That was truly AWESOME. So thank you. If you ever do consider allowing another tour, I will certainly be there with my wife to show her how all those lovely guitars I have at home were made.

That is a great idea--maybe someday. I also don't mean to hijack the SoCal Confluence thread--it sounds like it will be a cool event!