Rickenbacker Misconceptions

rob · Post by **rob** » Sat Mar 06, 2004 10:57 am

Misconception #8:

Rickenbackers are for Yuppies.

HA!

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:23 am

Re#3 (...no good for leads) I was blown away by some of the lead guitar work on Rics at Bjorns site.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 9:57 am

I've run into misconception #1 out here in Lima several times all ready, and the first time I heard the name when I was a kid I thought the same thing.

rkbsound · Post by **rkbsound** » Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:05 pm

Maybe RIC should but a colorful "Made in the USA" sticker somewhere on the guitar. It would contrast nicely with the pickguard, actually.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Mar 09, 2004 7:50 am

We've done that for at least 15 years.

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 12:54 pm

I've had my new Rickenbacker for three months and I still have the Made In USA sticker on the pickguard. I think that the Rickenbacker name is associated so much with Germany that many people don't take the time to look any further.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 6:19 am

It never crossed my mind that Rickenbacker was anything but American. Maybe because I knew who Eddie Rickenbacker was before I ever saw a Rickenbacker guitar.

But then again I never thought Chevrolet was a French car.

I don't make assumptions based on the founder or owner's ancestry.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 6:33 am

Point taken David. I also have wondered how musicians and others, myself included, could have mistaken the Rickenbacker line for a German make when its style was such a departure from instruments (Hofner) being made in Germany at the time.

madscotsman · Post by **madscotsman** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 10:28 am

Is not "Rickenbacker" from Swiss origin anyway?

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 10:52 am

Yes, the family came from Switzerland, they were Germanic Swiss. Eddie was born in Columbus Ohio, and IIRC Adolph's parents emigrated from Switzerland to Columbus when he was very young.

Growing up and living in an area where there are plenty of German names (towns, streets and businesses), I just never thought of it as foreign unless there was a reason to.

And now (thinking of Murray & McCormack) I'm wondering what would happen if I ordered haggis at McDonalds. After all....

. But i suppose it would have to be McHaggis.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:17 am

Pardon my ignorance, but are you saying that flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker was related to Adolph Rickenbacker?

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:29 am

Yes, they were cousins.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 12:00 pm

What, you never heard of the famous "Flying Rickenbacker Guitar Cousins"?

madscotsman · Post by **madscotsman** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:25 pm

Don't forget some Guinness with that McHaggis. I would prefer a more Irish meal of Corned Beef Boxty, M-M good! But not at Mcdonald's- that would be an insult.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:41 am

Thanks Dave.

I'll pass on the McHaggis, but I'm game for the Guinness.