I missed my own anniversary

[rickaddict]

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

Sounds like you've got your head screwed on the right way, Jake. As you already know there are a lot of great people here and a lot of great advice.

[rickaddict]

Charly - As far as I know, everybody here likes you. When I brought my Fender Jazz to RIO, a couple people made fun of me. It's okay...Its a Rick forum, and a Rick forum event. If I showed up at a Harley-Davidson event on a Suzuki I wouldn't expect to be welcomed by everyone (heck, I might not even expect to be alive at the end of the day, depending on what the event was!) And when I was at the Rick 75th, I have to admit...When I saw someone up on stage at HOB playing a non-Rick I thought to myself (and probably out loud too): "What? Didn't this guy get the memo? This is the RICKENBACKER 75th Anniversary!"

If people weren't excited about your non-Ricks at a Rickenbacker confluence, I wouldn't read too much into it other than just that. It's a RICKENBACKER confluence. I think we all know that great music can come from instruments that weren't made by Rickenbacker. But for most of us, Rickenbackers are our main instruments of choice. Rickenbackers are what brought us all together. Its only natural that when we all get together to see, hear, and play each other's Rickenbackers, some of us are going to sneer at the non-Ricks. Negative reactions toward other brands is a natural part of confirming and re-assuring that we've made the right choice in our decision to purchase a Rickenbacker.

Ever see one of those window stickers on the back of a Ford pickup truck of an evil-faced Calvin urinating on the Chevy logo? Same thing. Silly...Childish...Inane? Yes! But that's the way people are.

I say keep your chin up and stick around. Nobody hates you for owning a Gibson!

[ajish4]

Firstly,

I'd like to wish Marc a happy BELATED anniversary!
Amazing how time flys when you are on this forum.

I think Jeff hit the nail in the head, it is a RIC event, I couldn't have said it better. Great post Jeff.

Never having been to a Confluence, I can't comment on all of the above mentioned.

I will agree on some levels that the forum has changed since I first came here in 2005. IMHO there are a number of reasons, but I think a large part because the Hall family isn't as visibile as they once were. Not that I blame them, they must feel like this is a game of "whack the mole", when ever one of them pops their heads up...they get smacked. That is the biggest regret I have as to the direction we have gone in. IMHO, I feel we lost something when that happened and I noticed a shift in the "feel" at that time.

This is my first real forum experience. I've read some other forums recently and can't believe the way some of them operate. To each his own.

I've only met two forumites, Jdog & Graham but have either PM'd or emailed many others and even spoken to a few on the phone. GRAHAM, I'd bet my bottom dollar you have pictures of me on the side of I-95!!!!

I don't know what you experienced Charly, I'm sorry to hear it wasn't what you expected. I'd imagine people spin off into smaller groups (as most do everywhere) depending on personality & preferences. Joey has gone out of his way to help me with my RIC & NON RIC questions and comments. I've been chewing his ear off lately about my small Peavey T-40 fetish and he always has some creative input.

Being a Rickenbacker Confuence, I can understand people wanting to see other Rickenbackers. I've never seen common current models of the RIC lineup, or a 4005 or anything older than a 1971. Heck, if it wasn't for Jdog, I'd have NEVER seen any OTHER RICS either!
I would hope to get my first look at these guitars when I go to my first Confluence.

I personally don't have a problem with a NON RIC section for those who are curious, but I wouldn't expect them to be the lions share of the confluence.

[jdogric12]

Jeff T: +1
Tony: +1 on your +1


Charly dont' leave. Trombonists like us must stick together!!!!

[charlyg]

Again, it's not about the non-Ricks, it's more about the number of Ricks, ! I fully understand that it is a Rick confl, but not all of us have more than one. A newbie that can barely play with one Rick can feel quite intimidated by the collections. I can attest to that this year, as I talked to one. The first years were less "organized" and more "intimate". Less "pro" bands, and more jamming.

And I am just giving an example of an issue, there were other issues, but I won't make them public.

[kiramdear]

Charly,

Don't go away mad. And don't go away! You're a good person and we need you.

I'm still kinda new here, and I never hung out on a forum before. I didn't expect to impress anyone. But with the warm welcome I received and all the humor and help I've taken since, I keep coming back almost every day. No one knew me from Eve; I'm not special, and I had only one Rick to talk about, but if someone tried to snub me I didn't notice...

When I posted my request for an affordable beater bass, I thought I didn't have a snowball's chance of success. But so many people chimed in to help me that the story (and the thread) came to a happy and exciting ending with me driving to LA at the last minute to meet the folks who helped me and pick up my new bass! I brought my Martin and no one looked askance at it... I saw some cool Voxes and Fenders and other great vintage stuff.

Maybe people were just too wound up about all those great instruments; for sure there wasn't enough time to really connect with everyone. People get grumpy, they feel pressure, they have their own pains. Me too. I don't believe anyone showed up to give others a hard time; if it happened then don't let one or two moments spoil the memory of all those guitars and the enthusiasm of their (rightly) proud owners, 99% of whom are nice folks with no attitude and with something really cool in common. I had a great time!

This is a good group, Charly; please don't go away. We need you

[rickenbrother]

Again, it's not about the non-Ricks, it's more about the number of Ricks, ! I fully understand that it is a Rick confl, but not all of us have more than one. A newbie that can barely play with one Rick can feel quite intimidated by the collections. I can attest to that this year, as I talked to one. The first years were less "organized" and more "intimate". Less "pro" bands, and more jamming.

And I am just giving an example of an issue, there were other issues, but I won't make them public.

Charly, if there are issues, why don't you PM or email or CALL me about them? Why publicly beat around the bush? As others have mentioned before, we do like you and do not want you leave the forum. If I do not understand what your problem is, I can't help solve it. You know how to contact me, Gary or the other locals.
Last year, when you broight that electric-stand up bass, I thought it was really cool. I remember telling you that and I did try it out. This year, you brought an Epiphone Thunderbird, something I see in every Sam Ash, Guitar Center and any other authorized Gibson dealer that I walk into. Sunday morning, with all the Rickenbacker basses in the room, what bass was Steve playing for awhile? I'm positive that was your T-Bird!!!! I didn't get my things twisted because people weren't looking at or playing my Ricks.
And what's wrong with displaying our Rick collections? Geez, I don't get them for free.
You were never left out of any email that was going around from the locals about planning the confluence. Your input was always welcome. I don't dislike you, I've never heard anyone else say they didn't like you. So I really welcome your email, phone call or PM about what's really bothering you. Instead of continuing to turn Marc's anniversary thread into a farce.

[kiramdear]

Marc,

Sorry for the hijack. Happy Anniversary and many more to ya!!!

[johnallg]

Some people collect, some play, and some collect and play. It is all good. Most of us are older and at a point in their lives where there is disposable income and we enjoy having more than one Rick. I never expected to own more than one that fateful February day in 2005 when I drove 60 miles to Grand Rapids to look at Rickenbacker basses. Little did I expect to find an MG and to actually take it home. Since then, I wanted a different sounding Rick so I got the 4004C. I always wanted a 4001, but the 4003S came along first at a good price and it was good looking. Then Joey posted about the 4001 and again it was a good price in the year range I wanted, plus it was a pretty MG, and it became mine for less than they were asking, Lastly, Kevin wanted to move his MG V63, and I had always loved the figuring in that one, and I got some money when my father passed (he bought me my first bass so many years ago), so it moved to the Zoo. A collector? I don't feel like one. Each one sounds different, has different pickups, different strings, and different meanings to me.

I just wish I could play them like they deserve.

[charlyg]

So now the thread is a farce, and it's my fault? I was responding to comments made in the thread. Who's judging who?

never mind


Sorry Marc

[marc61]

There he sits all nice and quiet, just the one to cause a riot.

I guess that's me in this case. So now, I have an anniversary wish. I wish that Charly and Joey talk their issues through in private. I have met and like them both, and would love to put this whole thing to bed.

Just for the record, I have an Epiphone Thunderbird bass. It's an Elitist model, and I wouldn't sell it for all the tea in China. Whoops there I go again

Both are good guys, so I know this can be worked out. Thanks again guys for the congrats.

[rickenbrother]

So now the thread is a farce, and it's my fault? I was responding to comments made in the thread. Who's judging who?

never mind


Sorry Marc

Hmmm...no PM, no email, no phone call...who has PRE judged who? That's Okay Charly, maybe it's time for a change for me.

Yes, sorry Marc.

[johnallg]

I strongly suggest we all take a deep breath, let it out really slowly, then let this thread die its deserved death....

Congrats on 5 years, Marc. Ya trouble maker you!!

[jakeox]

It's an Elitist model,

There's the problem!

Sorry, too soon? I always go for the joke a little too soon.

For what it's worth, I am in love with my new '08 Fender American Standard Precision, and I don't care who knows.

And congrats on the anniversary, Marc.

[rickaddict]

For what it's worth, I am in love with my new '08 Fender American Standard Precision, and I don't care who knows.

You're in love with a slab of wood?!

You sir are a FREAK, and I am no longer your friend!