Rickenbackers In Your Home Town

[electrofaro]

The Hague and Rickies... mmm... I guess there's been Ric basses used in the 70s as I've seen pictures and videos of those. Our town might not see many international stars coming through, but there's always been a local rock scene. My two local dealers are not carrying Rickenbackers though - one has to go to Utrecht (330 MG in stock at Dirk Witte) or Amsterdam (don't know what the Dirk Witte there has on the wall).

It's usually the new young folks in band magazines that have 330s and 360s, equal 6 and 12 string, you see both, but never in the same band together!

[Badanovski]

There's only one music store in my town & they carry about 80% copys. I haven't even seen a Gibson in there much less a Rickenbacker!

[bitzerguy]

Seen a few on stage in the last few years in Montreal. More and more showing up in the on line classifieds as well. Unfortunately a plethora of copies are now appearing as well. Just one service have several copies for sale. One "collector" is actually a guitar dealer. http://montreal.kijiji.ca/f-Rickenbacke ... hFormZtrue

So disappointing.

[cassius987]

Denver is definitely a Ric town, completely unlike my Ozarks hometown where Scott Pope and I seem to have had the market cornered (or it felt like it, anyway). I have seen several great bands here and several of them play nice (typically very new or very old) Ric basses. I think in two years I have seen five guys and a girl playing Rics in local bands (all 4001/4003 varietals), and that actually feels like quite a lot. It is spread out across genres, but my favorite player was actually in an 80s cover band! There is also a lot of Ric knowledge here too from talking to players and techs; I am always surprised how much my luthier knows about them and how much work he does on Rics. He seems to prefer Rics and Gibsons to Fenders, after a couple of decades of business. Still, there are things I have taught him about Rics that he didn't know, although they tend to be the more subtle details. When he has work from other Ric customers he sometimes shows me what he's doing for them because he knows I'll find it interesting. He has worked on some really nice vintage basses lately.

I have seen some Ric guitars as well but not as many as I have seen basses. I have to admit I really don't follow Ric guitars very closely so they don't catch my eye as easily, either. But a couple times I have heard a band sound check and walked out from a venue's green room to find, sure enough, it's a Ric guitar. They do have a certain "chime" to them. The way bass sound is processed live it's often not as distinctive; most sound guys just pump the low EQ which frankly I'm okay with as long as it gets people moving.

[bartyclue]

Here in Edmonton, I dont see many but I know there are some here. We have an authorized dealer and he actively brings them in. Sometimes they take a year or so to arrive. I don't go to the bars every weekend but I do see my share of local talent and it seems like I am the only one who gigs with them. Lots of guys always tell me how much they like them but they think they are too expensive. Most guys it seems play fenders or other brands. I see a lot of 5 strings as it seems a lot of guys like to play them. I have a CS bass. I gig it exclusively.

[ricmic]

Nobody really sells "Rics" in San Diego. Truth be told, there aren't to many of us playing them down here that I have seen. Their loss. Mark

[8mileshigher]

In spite of the former existence of one of the biggest Rickenbacker dealers around (Ed Roman), in six+ years of living and working in Vegas, I have the only Rick I've seen out and about working. I know they have to be here, but I have not seen one yet.

Bruce, that is astounding that you have the only visible Ric in Vegas... considering how many Rics moved through Ed Roman's store over the years.

What's the difference between yogurt and Kansas? Yogurt has culture.
JimK

Too funny, Jim ! You must have been totally shell-shocked when you attended SCARF last year !!

I can gladly say that within the vicinity of where I live, there are plenty of Rickenbackers.... the usual So Cal gang with their collections that frequent the forum

Yep, I agree with Joey. We are pretty lucky that all the Forum people we know in the area have their cupboards well-stocked with Rickenbackers.

[stringsncords]

Pick of the Ricks is the crown jewel of RIC dealers in the Philly/South Jersey area.

Sam Ash may have a few here and there, but no real selection and/or knowledge; thank goodness for POTR, where the selection and service is unmatched.

[morrow]

I see a fair number of Ric basses here in Halifax , not as many guitars . The kids seem to love Ric basses .

[rickyfricky]

I think I'm the only guy on Nantucket Island with a Rickenbacker. Alright, 12 Rickenbackers!

Seeing them more-and-more on TV (Letterman, Falllon, last night's Grammys, etc.)

[Rickissippi]

Almost none here at all. No dealers, and you almost never see them used in stores here. In fact, after looking for one in a store here my whole guitar-playing life, I have seen only two offered used through 20-plus years. Even here on the Register, there are only a handful in the whole state of MS. Oddly enough, I do happen to know personally 2 other Rick owners (4003s) in this town, and we have got to be the majority here. For this reason, I get a comment on my 360 without fail whenever I play live.

[blueflamerick]

Sam Ash & Richmond Music Center in Richmond VA are dealers. Usually see more at Sam Ash.

[iiipopes]

I live north of Branson, Missouri. Rick wasteland. As those who are regulars to the forum know, I have three, and I probably have as many as the rest of the area put together. Fortunately, they are a favorite of my luthier, and when something happens I can't fix or don't have the tools (like releveling frets or the occasional buzz) he does a spectacular job.

Cassius used to go to college at the regional university, and when he graduated and left, the Rickenbacker population literally was cut in half.

Yes, as far as electrics go, I'm in solid F & G and derivatives territory.

There is one exception: the Beatles' tribute show in Branson. But since those instruments are business property and not personal property, I don't count them.

[Low End Lover]

Cassius used to go to college at the regional university, and when he graduated and left, the Rickenbacker population literally was cut in half.

Well, when I come down the number shoots up dramatically for few hours! Speaking of which, I do need to head down soon. It's been too long! Hope all is well.

LEL

[DoubleThink]

I saw very few Rics in Halifax from the late '70s through the '90s. (Hi, Morrow. It's been a long time). IIRC, there certainly were more basses than guitars. I can recall a particular 4000 bass appearing regularly at The Double Duece in the early '90s and a variety of 4001s across the city.

A former bandmate had an early Ric 335 JG which he said dated from '64. Another fellow purchased a midnight blue/black binding 360 in the late-'80s. I recall that a guitarist with The Gruesomes played a 320 or 325 JG when they passed through town back in the '80s. Were they from TO or Montreal?

Really, owning a Ric was a pipe dream for most of us back then.