Rickenbacker Factory on Kilson Drive

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

I was mucking around on Google maps the other day exploring Santa Ana...

Anyone have any memories of this place?

Most of my Rickenbackers were built here. (They were built here from 1964-1989 or so I have heard)

This is the building were instruments were assembled, painted and finished / polished

The building on the right was the wood shop.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

The Tony Bacon RIC books say it was from July 1962 to January 1989 that they manufactured here.

So Lennon's second 325, George's two 12 strings, and Macca's bass, as well as all of the guitars and basses associated with The Byrds, Chris Squire, Lemmy K, Geddy Lee and many others were built right here.. (Not to mention my ones!)

They should have a small plaque in front I think!

[loverickbass]

Where would my 1956 Combo 400 have been built?

[johnhall]

Where would my 1956 Combo 400 have been built?

6071 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

John did your father own that property on Kilson? I am told that there was a fence between the buildings when the factory was there.

Also that the instruments moved between the various buildings on carts?

Any memories of the place to share?

[johnhall]

John did your father own that property on Kilson? I am told that there was a fence between the buildings when the factory was there.

Also that the instruments moved between the various buildings on carts?

Any memories of the place to share?

Depending on the point in time, there were up to five buildings (including a metal shed) that made up the factory "complex". There was a fence that went around the parking area and building to building which secured the parking area. Yes, the products moved back and forth between the various buildings.

The top of this page shows the view from the back of what's essentially our current location across the open fields, to some buildings that were across the street from the Alton & Kilson factory. The bottom photo is looking through the door into the wood shop, which actually was on Alton Street.

http://www.rickenbacker.com/catalog_pos ... cf68-7.jpg

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

And there indeed is a cart with 3 Rickenbacker basses on it!

Very cool!! Thanks for your comments on this thread.

I was also told that one of your dad's tasks was to drive a van full of finished instruments from the factory to the sales office every day...

It must be a lot easier now having everything under one roof.

I am sorry if this seems obscure arcana to most people.. But I love hearing about the history.

[johnhall]

I was also told that one of your dad's tasks was to drive a van full of finished instruments from the factory to the sales office every day...

While he certainly did make that trip very often, I also have quite a few of those trips under my belt, as did some other warehouse employees over the years. It was a '55 Ford station wagon up until '65, when he bought a new Ford Econoline Super Van. Most employees called it the "Green Demon" and it racked up 150,00 miles before we sold it- mainly in 2 mile trips, although we did take it to trade shows in Chicago and Louisville several times.

[jimk]

I am sorry if this seems obscure arcana to most people.. But I love hearing about the history.

I find it interesting, too.
JimK

[johnhall]

The original Frying Pan was made from a plank taken out of the back fence of this Western Avenue factory by Harry Watson. A researcher recently reconnoitered the back alley there to see if the fence still exists and unfortunately it does not. Not that even 85 plus year old hemlock is really worth salvaging but the history would have made it interesting.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

It was a '55 Ford station wagon up until '65, when he bought a new Ford Econoline Super Van. Most employees called it the "Green Demon" and it racked up 150,00 miles before we sold it- mainly in 2 mile trips, although we did take it to trade shows in Chicago and Louisville several times.

I was not born until 1965, so I had no idea what a Ford Econoline super van was until I googled it...

So how many basses and guitars can you get into one in a single trip?

Perhaps that could become some future guitar finish? "Green Demonglo" Although I guess that depending on the van finish that is really close to Turquoise!

[johnhall]

Ours was identical to that last photo. You could stack about 50 instruments or so in that van. This was the Super van option which had maybe a 24 inch extended section behind the rear wheels for extra capacity.

I made the mistake of once loading up a number of bags of cement through the rear door into that back section. When I punched the accelerator down at the corner it did the most exciting and terrifying wheelie you can imagine.

Another time, I and some of the guys in the band borrowed it to take to the beach one day. We could only find a parking space a foot or so longer than the van. Four of us were able to alternately pick up each end of the van and lift it over a bit until it fit in the space.

Yes indeed, we had some great times with that old van.

[Billsbro]

Those were the most common van back in the 60's...brings back memories.

Thanks so much for sharing yours, Mr. Hall! Your presence here is a great thing!

[Lefty4003S8]

John,

Looking at the catalog page you posted......the 4000, AND the 4005 are listed as having 21 Frets. Am I reading this wrong???
I thought ONLY the 4001 had 21 Frets, and THAT was only a percentage of models for a couple of years.

Correct me if I'm wrong please.......

[johnhall]

John,

Looking at the catalog page you posted......the 4000, AND the 4005 are listed as having 21 Frets. Am I reading this wrong???
I thought ONLY the 4001 had 21 Frets, and THAT was only a percentage of models for a couple of years.

Correct me if I'm wrong please.......

Funny- you're the first person in the last 46 years to point out that typo!

The 4002 always had 21 frets.