Ricken - BOOK -er

[bassduke49]

Larry, I was Senior Editor at Kalmbach Publishing Co. for the publication FineScale Modeler for 24 years (now retired), so I do know a bit about the biz. I was going to go with a publisher, Hal Leonard would be my choice, but it is not their fault that I have not met their requirements. I figure any other publisher would feel the same. I don't want to disclose the details for fear of pi**ing in the pool. But this is the lot of the technical writer; it ain't ready until it's ready. There are certain goals to reach for the book to satisfy ME, let alone a publisher. And I haven't met them yet, so another publisher is not the problem at this point. If I do go with a publisher, it's easier to sell a completed book than the promise of one.

It is clear (and has been for some time) that a book on Rickenbacker basses (only) is needed, especially when it comes to clarifying the legend and lore. My hope is that the book will be at every Rick owner's/collector's hands to answer any questions about their beloved instruments. I hope to include a time-table/family tree of all Rick bass models, understandable wiring diagrams (to the lay person; think Joey'sbassnotes) of each system, "field guides" pointing out certain characteristics of models through the years (hence Jeff Scott's comment), and a user's guide to proper use and maintenance of each instrument. That's a lot of work to accomplish. Plus hundreds of high-quality color photos. It's not a small task, but it has taken much longer to do than I first estimated. My goal was to publish the book in 2007, the unofficial "50th Anniversary" of the first Rick basses, but that proved impossible. By the way, my working title is:
"Rickenbacker Basses - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom."

[Elnjaybass]

I for one would love to see your book become reality, and judging by the numbers here, and on RIc's own Fourm site, and the other Ric afficianados blogs, etc-
You would be able to sell the book in good numbers!

As a green new comer to all this Rick-O-Mania- it all seems to make sense.

I'm not even a wanna-be guitarist, and almost all of the players I've worked with, and there have been some FINE ones, -
Strats, teles, Les Pauls, Customes, etc- I have not worked with a guy using a Rickenbacker.

And up until what, 3 weeks, I never played one- 40+ years, playing, countless clubs, concerts, (3) tours including overseas, I didn't even give them a fair thought.
That is until I saw, then played my Laredo, adn I could fairly compare the instant addiction and rush to well..
CRACK!
Now that I've got my 4003 and see exactly what all the commotion is about-
I've been looking- helped along by the Smith book-
At the INCREDIBLE vintage models- I saw a MG with black binding, and found myself going "OH SH** I want that Bass! I can only imagine what some of the Vintag Ricks feel like, which is no way to say that I am not in 7th heaven at owning my 5-day old to me FG.

Ya know, when I play that thing, I get about the darkest thickest low end, and I always associated the Rick with being a brite bass- No doubt it is- I've already determined that these basses would be unbelievable with a pick-
And that's not my style, but just sayin'....I can easily hear how a pick would absolutely be like a piano.

However, thumb and fingers works for me too- I can do a LOT with this bass- I'll be doing some covers this week by a great R&B singer- Ann Peebles- Among others she did "I Can't Stop the Rain" whcih apparently john lennon commented favorably on- Not in my particular set list- but check out some cuts from "Part TIme Lover" with Leroy 'Flick" Hodges playing bass-
Now this is groove and Mussel-Shoals type pocket, and the Rickenbacker might as well be eating grits and red beans and rice it gets the earthy sound so well.
Mostly I see Uriah Heep et al and of course "Lemmy" and so on associated with Rickenbacker, and that is all good-
But there ain't no reason for that- You can dig in on a Rickenbacker bass absolutely.

I hope you get YOUR book out there Paul-
If you want to use a pic of my at times after playing sweat-encrusted Laredo (don't worry kids, I wipe it off ) for a chapter and notation entitled say:
LAREDO- in the pocket; why the He** aren't you playing one??!

Cool- I've more than amply demonstrated my fine photographic skillz here.
Just ask!

[rickfan60]

I am glad you said that Paul. I composed a post outlining your credentials but I was not sure you wanted all of that out there so I chose not to submit it.

[Elnjaybass]

Hey Paul-
Have you ever talked with, or tried to speak with John Hall about your Project?

I would think that Rickenbacker itself would LOVE to have a dedicated book by a dedicated owner/operator FOR their dedicated fans...

I met him very briefly at NAMM, no real depth of discussion, but I get the impression he is very interested in the legacy and such.....

[rickfan60]

Yes, that is well covered ground. JH has been a most welcomed and valuable source of information for Paul.

[Elnjaybass]

But how about insofar as PUBLISHING; or helping to get published, Paul's book?

I know he's not in the book biz, he's busy makin' guitars/basses etc. but still-
If the CO. got behind having it published- I bet it would be a done deal?

[Elnjaybass]

Hey!!
Howz about those LAKERS!!!!??

(Changes subject).....

[johnallg]

Paul's book cover will look something like this:

Only with this also on the cover:

[Elnjaybass]

I would suggest a Saltwater species, as they are...
Well, better fish....











C'mon post here...You KNOW you Wanna!

[johnallg]

Larry, that pic I posted is the official Rick 12-string bass. (Count 'em)

If we're talking saltwater, then wouldn't it have this on the cover?

[Elnjaybass]

Hey, what happened to that pic??

Did you go posting something....
BAD???
Or is it a technical glitch?!?

At any rate- 12-string Bass, there 'ya go!

Thumbing thru the Rickenbacker book, howzabout those AMPS???
Wha...?

30" Bass speakers? Did I read that right??
ANd a picture of Ronnie Wood playing a FEnder thru a Rickenbacker amp!
Now that's something I have not seen before..

I wonder if there are any of those amps floating around...
or if they've all been traded for MarkBass!!

So, what was that picture...?




oh, go ahead on & post something here for gawshsakes!! You KNOW you wanna!!!

[johnallg]

Not sure what happened.... I used the img tag with the link.

[Elnjaybass]

SHARK!

Did I ever mention the Thresher Shark we....
Never mind, I know....

Hey, what's up over at the Rickenbacker Co. Forum with the fish names for seniority I assume?

"Mackerel"
"Grouper"
"Shark"
??
Position on the food chain or something??!

[cjj]

SHARK!

Did I ever mention the Thresher Shark we....
Never mind, I know....

Hey, what's up over at the Rickenbacker Co. Forum with the fish names for seniority I assume?

"Mackerel"
"Grouper"
"Shark"
??
Position on the food chain or something??!

Something like that. Interestingly, if you go look at a user's profile, you see them listed as something completely different...

[kiramdear]

That whole food-chain thing is sooooo Darwinian.

I like to think we're all just chums here.