I missed my own anniversary

[ricosound]

One Rick for many here.

That would be me, among many.

+1 on the +1

[rickenbrother]

Then it must be me....

I'm speaking of the get togethers, not the forum itself.

Charly, I was really trying to just look past your first posts but now I have to ask you...what was wrong with the confluences, really? Did someone tell you to get the **** out of here with that Epiphone Thunderbird? I didn't say that, didn't hear anyone else say that!! Did someone make you feel unwelcome? I didn't give or get that vibe !!
I feel like I've publicly gotten a kick in the *** and embarrassed along with my main co-organizer Gary, who worked so hard to make sure it would be a fun event. Also a swift kick in the *** given to all others who helped to organize to contribute to the confluence and also the same to those who spent a lot of money in travel and hotel expenses.

There are reasons in my opinion, why we annually put on a Rickenbacker confluence in Southern California. I'm sure many would agree with me:
1- To have a great time with the people that I've met here that I truly call friends. Like John K said, some of the best people I've ever met in my life are dear friends from this forum, that I don't get to spend enough time with.
2- To proudly display and jam with our Rickenbacker instrunment(s) and admire and try out those belonging to others.
3- To show appreciation to the Hall family for making these great instruments that we love so much
4 - To show appreciation to Peter for this forum.

I'm sure I must on your Rick N' Royalty or Rickensnob list or whatever you want to call it. You make yourself fit in with people. Steve Cooper, George B, Nick and Jim K would be very welcome if they came and would have made themselves fit right in, I'm sure.
If I'm on the list with the people I'm thinking of, I'm in great company and we had a great time at the confluences.

[charlyg]

Yes, I felt about as welcome as a fart in a spacesuit because of my other instruments as soon as I walked in the door. If you recall. I helped schlepp as much as I could, every year I have been involved. SO, if you are saying i don't contribute, it's true, nothing more than hauling stuff around.

I think if you felt the "vibe" that I felt, you would be saying the same thing.

I think I may need to move on.

[johnallg]

Charly, that first confluence I attended, the SoCal 2006/RIC 75th one, I remember landing at John Wayne and having a near full-on panic attack. I was alone, only a member of RRF for 4 months, had killed more threads than I care to admit to (my posts being the last of what had been active threads! ), and not really secure in my musical abilities after a couple months of playing again after 35 years off. But then I thought about the types of people that were going to be at the confluence, and decided to put forth the effort of meeting and participating, and I had a really great time. While not feeling slighted by some, many I did not get to spend time with more than saying hello as they were busy with their own agenda. It was all good and other than my wedding, the best time I've had in my life. It is all about how much of yourself you put into something and the attitude you show towards others. I expected to feel like an outsider, but quickly saw the great majority were very open and fine people.

My experiences.

[jps]

Charly, I am sorry to hear how you felt at the SoCal confluence.

When Shari and I hosted RIO!!!, one of my goals was to encourage participants to bring instruments by other makers in addition to Rickenbackers, as a lot of us have instruments we are proud to own and play that are not Ricks. We had instruments by Fender, Gretsch, Jerry Jones, Gibson, Larrivée, plus others I can't recall at the moment, in addition to a great many wonderful Rickenbackers. To me, however, the most important ingredient that made the event a success were all the truly wonderful people that showed up to be a part of it, some I had known, and others I met and befriended for the first time. If not for them, even with the most extravagant guitars in the world on those tables in the conference room, the show would have been a flop.

Try and come out to MARF III, and bring your non-Ricks, you will be most welcome!

[charlyg]

That's the spirit I'm talking about. I didn't get that this year.

[JakeK]

Sorry I didn't have anything more to say earlier, I was at school...at lunch...in the computer lab...

No one get mad at me for what's written below, I'm only 17...

Charly, it's OK to have non-Rics at this place. That's what "Forum 51 - The Quest for Tone" is for. If someone gives you a vibe, then tell someone you trust on here (I usually go to Pete McCormack if I'm having a problem here, which I rarely do now) and talk it out with that person you know you can confide in to. So what if you don't have as many Rics as Graham, Kevin Kuney or John Minutialgio? You might not have rare and collectible Rics, but that's prefectly fine. You just gotta be yourself, and talk music and instruments.

I'm friends with (well, I consider them friends, anyway) such as Kevin Kuney, Wes Mitchell, Matt Bowling, John Biscuti, Bill Mahony, Gordon Armstrong and of course, Pete McCormack. I would like to try and be friends with Jdog, Graham, John Minuitalgio, Johneek, and Kenny Howes, among many others. I've got a saying, "You can't be friends with everyone on earth, but it doesn't hurt to try."

And, for the record, I'm the youngest member here (as far as I'm concerned), and being on a commuinity with a lot of mature adults is really something else. I'm learning every day to be a better person, and despite the fact that I only have that '91 660/12, I'm still a member, and that what counts. I know that if I put my mind to it, work my a** off, and save up, I'll have exactly what I want Ric wise: a 1997 RI, a 1998 PT, a 1993/12 RI (good luck with that, I tell myself!), a 360/12V64 and my trusty 660/12 TP.

[charlyg]

Yeah, I got that. I stay out of the Rick specific forums anymore and just hang out in R&R, blues, Quest for tone, Others,etc.

It is more the live event than the computer ones that I was speaking of. I won't say much more publicly, but if asked away from the forum, look out.

[marc61]

wow I'm surprised at all the conversation this thread caused.


Ummm...I only have two Rics and I'm thinking of selling one. It seems to me the thought behind the forum is the common love for Rickenbacker. At at an entry level cost, even used, of about 1K for any instrument we can't expect all here to even own one. It's funny. I have friends who don't even play or collect guitars and they love Rickenbackers because they enjoy the artists that use them, and the sounds that are created. Should they be allowed here? Of course they should. They would be interested in the history, and may even help us track down obscure recordings and/or photos using Ric instruments.

Anyway, thanks guys for the congratulations an I look forward to another five years and then some.

[rickenbrother]

Marc, sorry your thread got so horribly derailed.

Charly, you're making something out of nothing. I don't know why you feel the way you do and I never said you didn't contribute in any way. I did feel something was up with you, when you left after we helped Gary with his gear...I won't elaborate.

Maybe I should start bringing my parrots to dog or cat shows, they are pets too!!

[jdogric12]

Jake, you're only 17? Go get me a beer!

[8mileshigh]

Happy Anniversary Mark! I hope to see you at MARF?

Rick Royalty? Nah....I think not! From my perspective the confluence was great. Well organised, plenty of stuff to see, a Jazzbo, 2 of PW's lightshows, a whole stack of great basses, vintage gear, great door prizes, great friends............I mean.......mmmmmmm.......don't know what else to say?

I guess these get togethers are what you make them? If I didn't get to hang out with anyone for a long time, I'm sorry. It was good to meet Collin and Wes for the first time.....get to know Paul Appetizer a little better and say hi to a guy in a hat........sorry I can't remember your name......and loads of other new people.......as well as the rest of you......you know who you all are!

Next year, I hope to get to chat for a bit longer to everyone though These gatherings always go too quickly. Sorry if I wasn't interested in the Thunderbird Charley........just not my thing I'm afraid.....and as for technical advice? ........I'm the world's worst. But it was great to see YOU!!

I hope Joey and Gary are not put off by any negative comments. I think they do a great job and I look forward to getting to the next SoCal confluence, whenever that may be.

Feel the love people!!

[rickenbrother]

Thank, Graham! Hey what number RN'R are you anyway?

[8mileshigh]

Thank, Graham! Hey what number RN'R are you anyway?

Hey.....I'm WAY down the list Joey!!

[rickenbrother]

Thank, Graham! Hey what number RN'R are you anyway?

Hey.....I'm WAY down the list Joey!!

Nah, you're #1 to me!!
I hope you come back to CA soon...more Buca!!!