What's the future hold for the Rickenbacker company?

[Clint]

Actaully, I have to agree about the website. I posted similar feelings on their official Ric forums and was blasted for it.

It's very clunky and obviously dated, I run into SQL errors frequently when trying to use sections of the site or visit the forums. The forums.... are just a mess, but if you say anything about it you're met with "it's perfectly fine as-is, it dosen't need to change to try and be 'hip' or 'cool'" even when we're just talking about basic performance features. As forums, they're very un-friendly to new users, and I don't mean the people there I mean the software.

You can't embed pictures, you can't post hotlinks, you can't sort by new posts, you can't search by category, you can't have custom user avatars(minor, but still noteable), you can't view who posted in a topic last and when without going into it, and there's no icons for new posts, so it's impossible to tell what topics have new activity unless you look at every single one every day, because there's no thread subscriptions either.

The people there insist that it's fine and don't want it to change, but there's a reason why the official Rickenbacker forums get about 5 new posts a day and the RickResource gets well over 100. The color scheme is cold and unfriendly and it lacks any features typical forum-goers use on a daily basis. Both the site and the forums could use an overhaul, but I know full well that isn't going to happen.

There is a simple reason for all of your complaints. rickenbacker.com is a corporate website. There as a courtesy. RIC is in the business of making guitars, not running web pages and forums. This is the forum for all of that other stuff you speak of. Many of us use both forums, keeping in mind their different purposes and limitations.

[clementc3]

John Hall -

Many thanks for participating and contributing on this forum! We appreciate it! (And many of us look forward to the new company forum, too!)

[admin]

Without John Hall and his family none of us would be talking about Rickenbackers.

The RIC Forum provides us with extensive historical information and is the Official word on these fine instruments.

Thanks for your comments, John. I look forward to the new look.

P.S. For those who might not have noticed, there is no shortage of complaints about the RRF. Every forum earns its reputation day by day. Some days are diamond and some days are stone.

P.P.S. It is against RRF rules to critique other forums just for the reason we see here. If we take issue with events in another forum the place to discuss it is there.

[Clint]

Heaven's Complaint Department: My cloud's not fluffy enough. Is gold the only finish these harps come in? Can't I get one in jetglo? Where's all the cool people....?

[Grey]

While I disagree with many of your comments, since they are related to taste and therefore subjective, you'll need to eat your words because a webmaster-designer was hired last week and a full site redesign is already underway. (Actually, the planning and prototypes for the redesign were started over a year ago, but now it's moved from drawing board to the execution.)

The new forum, which has every feature this one has, is already operational and being tested. The main challenge is how to load it with the existing forum content. There are also certain features that you mention which may not be suitable for a corporate-owned forum due to legal issues and we're still studying those points.

I appretiate the fact you replied to my comment, it looks like i'll wind up with a case of foot-in-mouth syndrome with these changes you mentioned in the works.
I had not considered the fact that the RIC website is corporate owned and therefore has different goals in mind in regards to the website/forum. I didn't speak out of spite against the official forums, I simply want it to be more user-friendly and attract more activity, primarily, I just want to be able to tell quickly and easily what topics have new posts, and keep track of threads i'm interested in. The other things are, as you mentioned, a matter of personal taste.

[jdogric12]

Heaven's Complaint Department: My cloud's not fluffy enough. Is gold the only finish these harps come in? Can't I get one in jetglo? Where's all the cool people....?

[winston]

Am I the only one that finds it odd that someone who's only posted 4 times in two years- and started with an almost identical negative post- has again stirred the pot with misinformation? (San Jose factory, under-staffed, excessive pricing, controlling demand, company profitable, Frank Hall, etc.)

No that did not escape my notice John. That is why I asked why the OP was asking the same questions again. It seems like a typical let's stir the pot and stand back and laugh at everyone who responds post to me. People who do this are just looking for attention generally.

Oh and while I am on this subject, thanks for your continued participation here John. It is much appreciated.

[jimk]

I only want to thank Mr. Hall for stepping in and responding. I'm quite favorably impressed that he'd take the time out from business, or personal pursuits to do so. So thanks, Mr. Hall.
JimK

[elreydlp]

I only want to thank Mr. Hall for stepping in and responding. I'm quite favorably impressed that he'd take the time out from business, or personal pursuits to do so. So thanks, Mr. Hall.
JimK

+1-very gracious of John to respond.
I too found the original posting to be of the "stir things up" variety, whereas, Spikes posting came across as one expressing a concern.

Rickenbacker is a small, family run buisness; its small size belying the influence the companys products have had on music for the last several decades. The company has maintained its quality standards. Todays instruments are not far removed from those produced in the "Golden Years" (whenever that was); a factor that contributes to what I consider a relative under-valuing of Ricks on the vintage market.

Any company that's meeting or exceeding its owners and managers expectations-let alone posting its most successful year is to be commended.

[johnhall]

FYI, in case it was buried in the noise, my dad's name was Francis. Unfortunately, many people got it confused with Frances which, quite naturally, wrankled him, hence the almost universal use of "F.C." since he was a child. Only a very few people called him Frank and he thought they were total idiots. Most everyone, including me in public called him "F.C.". Only my mom and his very best 85 year-long friend called him "Francis".

[rickenbrother]

Heaven's Complaint Department: My cloud's not fluffy enough. Is gold the only finish these harps come in? Can't I get one in jetglo? Where's all the cool people....?

I have no doubt that there are people who would find faults in Paradise!

[Grey]

Heaven's Complaint Department: My cloud's not fluffy enough. Is gold the only finish these harps come in? Can't I get one in jetglo? Where's all the cool people....?

I have no doubt that there are people who would find faults in Paradise!

If they don't have JetGlo then it ain't Paradise.

[cjj]

You might want to ask Tony about that...

[8mileshigher]

They are happy to be the small family run company that they are. It works well for them and the greater majority of of Rick players.

Amen !!

Thanks to JH for showing the remarkable patience, serenity and fortitude, in his diplomatic responses to those folks who pop up with their suggestions (or complaints) on how to run the company.

The business track record of Rickenbacker company is remarkable, the brand is pristine, its customer loyalty is enduring and absolute and the team who manufacture and market these excellent guitars and basses certainly have shown, over the decades, that they know what they are doing. And Rickenbacker is very responsive to - and appreciative of - their devoted customers.

[Grey]

I think the fact that John Hall not only participates in the company forum but also makes time to pop in over here says volumes about Rickenbacker as a company. Compare that to Gibson's "Talk to Henry J" section they put up which requires special membership (that they have to verify before you can post) and which he barely responds to. Of course, maybe that's a bit unfair since Rickenbacker is privately owned, though that just futhers the idea that the 'status quo' at Rickenbacker is making guitars, not making press confrences.