What's YOUR attraction to Ricks?

[jps]

In high school I had a Jazz Bass but once I saw a friend's 4001 for the first time and after hearing Yes and Genesis in the early '70s I was hooked. I very soon thereafter traded the Jazz Bass for my '67 4005WB.

[tyarbrough]

Actually I saw the Edge strap on a 360 Maple Glo at the end of one song...it may have been after the Stones' song they did with Mick and Fergie. I was so excited...but they cut to a different song and he didn't use it.

I didn't know much about guitars a couple of years ago but once I found out Rickenbackers were still in production I was hooked. I think it all started after seeing Petty play one. The sound, the look, the mystique, the fact they are made in the USA. What's not to like about them?

So, why is such a popular brand as Rickenbacker not more widely seen at gatherings like this? The two most obvious Rick users, Tom Petty and The Byrds, were not in attendance at these concerts. I know that Edge plays one, but not during this particular U2 set.

Bob

[ram]

Initially for me it was the huge range in the sound/tone I heard from bands I liked – first there was McCartney followed by Entwhistle, Squire, James, Rutherford, Glover, Gibbs, Lee (and others)…. all playing the same brand of bass. Somewhere early on, I saw one in Paul’s hands and the hook was almost set – it was just so cool looking. Then I played one! The neck felt like I always thought a bass should feel (’74 4001)… the hook was set and I was in the boat!

I recall seeing them in the past (‘60s - guitars and basses), then they seemed to almost vanish. Lately I have noticed them appearing in a number of places one wouldn’t expect to find them (i.e., newspaper pictures of local events – in the background you see a band and a member might have a Ric). So I think there is hope for the world yet!

And agreed - the fact they are made in the USA makes it cool as well.

[captsandwich]

Glossy fret boards,Pointy horns and i suppose everyone bought one to emulate their heroes.

Just like all my other guitars, I bought it because I liked the way it felt in my hands.

My heros played Teles & Les Pauls. I've never owned either.

[electrofaro]

Actually I saw the Edge strap on a 360 Maple Glo at the end of one song...

So it's not just me who caught a glimpse of a Mapleglo Rick!

[Rickygirl]

In reality, along with most noteably Paul A and a few others on this forum, I am a confirmed double bound Rickenbacker addict. There I said it and I don't care who knows

2009 Confessions of Winston!!! You mean you would convert everything on Earth into a 360 WB???

I must say though, Paul's enthusiasm and collection of WB's have rubbed off a little on me. I rather fancy one now.......My Rick for 2010?? (If I can find/have money to convert one).

[arbiter]

For me it had nothing to do with who plays them.

It was mostly:
Small Neck with great feeling fretboard
Great Clean Sound
More affordable hollowbody than comparable quality competitors
Uniqueness

[sloop_john_b]

For the basses, it started as hero worship. For the guitars, I still have no clue.

[BuddyDog]

I think my first real thought about how great Ric's sounded was the Greg Kihn Band when they first started playing around Berkeley in the 70's. I liked the album cover which had Greg holding his Ric while entering the nightclub in Berkeley. Then it was Tom Petty's Damn the Torpedoes album with the Ric on the cover.

It wasn't until I hit the big 5-0 that I took up guitar for a hobby. Rics were not initially easy to find and I was playing Strats and ES's.

I found out that MFas having a Ric sale last July and that nailed it for me.

So my reasons for buying Ric's is:

Sound
Sound
Looks

[miltric]

About seven years ago, my bandmate started gently pushing me to get a Rickenbacker, but I didn't seriously consider the idea, mainly because I never saw one hanging in any of the Philly music stores I visited. Then, in 2005--at which time I owned a Strat and a Gretsch Electromatic--I saw a 330 MG hanging in Sam Ash, pulled it down and played, and was hooked--though I couldn't have told anyone why at that moment. I realized a bit later, however, that the Rickenbacker was the guitar that connected the band I was most passionate about as a teenager--The Beatles--and the group that sparked my imagination most in college and grad school--R.E.M. Later, I developed a taste for the Church without knowing for some time that Marty Wilson-Piper plays Rics frequently. Finding out that artists I had always liked to a lesser degree, such as The Jam and Tom Petty, many aspects of my musical taste began to make sense to me.

Aside from the influences, I'm drawn to Rics for the same reasons that many here are: they feel different from any other guitar, and once I became used to that, it was unsatisfying to play other brands; they have a full-bodied sound that can be made to growl, jangle, or do jazz (I'm especially thinking of my 330 here); and they look reeaallyy cool, to the point where people sometimes comment on them at gigs, or when I take mine in for work in the music store where my guitar tech has his shop. I do have to admit that sometimes when I play leads on a Rick, it doesn't sound quite the way I want it to, but I assume this is my fault, and not the guitar's.

Oh, and a quick anecdote about my Rick 12-string: I decided I had to have one upon hearing the Ryan Adams song, "Anybody Wanna Take Me Home," playing over the sound system as I was breaking down my rig after a show. Thus began an odyssey that took me from a 330/12 JG to a 660/12 BB to, finally, my current 660/12 AFG. The funny thing is, I'm now almost certain that the 12-string I heard on that Ryan Adams track was a Fender XII, not a Rick. Oh well--that song still sounds great to me when I play it on my 12-string.

[paologregorio]

I forgot to add that, starting out as a bassist, and being a fan of the Jam, I thought the various Rick 4001 basses Bruce Foxton played weere the coolest looking basses ever, and a few months after I started playing, I purchased a pristine JG 4001 and have owned at least one Rickenbacker ever since.

[billydlight]

The sound and look which are singular. Nothing else even comes close. I have one of everything, teles, hollowbodies strats pauls etc. (maybe two )

But for some things ONLY a Ric will do.

[vintagemusicgear]

When I saw "A Hard Day's Night," I was in 2nd grade believe it or not! The year was 1972, only 2 year after the breakup. The look of Lennon's and Harrison's guitars were burned into my psyche forever. I was obsessed with the way they looked. I did not know they were Rics. I was buying Beatle records as early as 2nd grade, the 1st being "Rubber Soul." Every time I saw a Beatle book, I would search out those "mystery" guitars. Then one day, I saw a clear shot of the TRC which said "Rickenbacker." My goal was to own a Ric someday. Luckily I have been able to own a few, and they still remain one of my favorites because of their looks, sound, and playability. Many players feel Rics are limited. I think ALL guitars are limited. As great as a Les Paul burst is, can you play any kind of jangle on them? Imagine playing the solo for "You Can't Do That" on a burst! Or how about "You Can't Explain" on a Fender 12 string? How about "Roundabout" on a Gibson EB bass? You get the idea....Check out my YouTube videos "http://www.youtube.com/user/MrVintagemusic" to see how versatile Rics are; able to play pop, rock, hard rock, jazz, blues, country, rockabilly, funk, etc....Part of the reason I put up those videos it to show players that Rics can Rock, Jangle, and cry Blues too. If that's not versatile, what is?

On a philosophical and business note, they are one of the only "big" guitar companies that are still family owned and operated. Exceptions include Martin and Alembic. And those companies, along with Ric, are well known for quality. Ric could very easily set up a factory in Mexico and crank out "Rics Made in Mexico", and make a lot more money, but they chose not to, which on a business sense shows a lot of integrity and restraint. And where are Gretsches made these days?.....And does anybody know who the CEO of Gibson or Fender is? And do they participate in their respective forums? And what about Jackson guitars? Oh, forgot that Grover Jackson actually worked for Ric!.... So Rics are special on many levels. Plus, I would rather stare at a flamey capri over a burst anyday.....wouldn't you?

[RonLovesRic12strings]

The Rickenbacker guitar attraction factor is directly proportional to it's unique sound, exceptional esthetics, superb craftsmanship, excellent playability, and, quite simply, it's WOW factor.

[bosco64]

I must say though, Paul's enthusiasm and collection of WB's have rubbed off a little on me. I rather fancy one now.......My Rick for 2010?? (If I can find/have money to convert one).

If you come back to the states next year Sarah, there's a nice 360 12C63 at my wife's store that has your name all over it!