What Artist Is Deserving of A Signature Series?

corey · Post by **corey** » Sun Oct 20, 2002 8:18 pm

Really? I've never noticed that! The camera is on Max too much for me to notice. It's an E Street conspiracy against Ric!

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Oct 20, 2002 11:16 pm

Stephen: I am with you when it comes to John Fogerty. This would be a great signature model. I really like the way his guitar cut through the band. A most distinctive sound and, without question, a unique group.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Oct 20, 2002 11:29 pm

Shiraz wrote Quote:Just like Susanna Hoffs, Mary Chapin-Carpenter DOES NOT deserve a signature series guitar. Can you name a single distinctive part played by either of them.

I believe I understand the perspective you are taking in this response. I am wondering, however, whether the absence of a catchy riff or outstanding playing ability should be the benchmark in determining who gets the nod from RIC for the signature model.

In my way of thinking, if an artist achieves fame and even if he or she is a mediocre guitarist, the overall talent should carry the day. The Rickenbacker that they play is still likely to be famous by association. I consider that both Hoffs and Chapin-Carpenter fit such a mold. In the case of Hoffs, these instruments have become very popular and have commanded a handsome sum in the $5,000. US range during recent times. I consider that a Chapin-Carpenter Signature Model could also be successful.

Just in passing, do you think that a Phil Collins 12-string Signature Model would sell? Interesting to speculate, but perhaps this takes the idea too far.

shiraz · Post by **shiraz** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 6:50 am

Oh Lord no! Not a Phil Collins Ric!!!
I'm not saying one must be a virtuoso to merit a signature guitar. But I also hate to see Rickenbacker further propagating the myth that they are strictly RHYTHM guitars. No disrespect to MCC or SH but I would like to see a real player/creator on the guitar get a signature series. Companies such as Fender give signature guitars to anyone who is raking in the clams (ie. the Tom Delonge strat -barf). Rickenbacker has focused on its heyday era players for sig. guitars (Pete T, Roger M, John K, etc.) -more or less anyway.
The Fogerty guitar might be a nice guitar. Didn't he have a fullsize Gibson humbucker in the bridge position?
How about a Paul Weller signature Ric? He used many, including that Lichtenstein painted one.
So- Marty Willson-Piper gets my first vote.
Paul Weller the second.
Johnny Marr the third.
Fogerty ...maybe.
Who is 'out there' right now playing a Ric? Taking it into the future.
Marty still is.
I don't know if Paul W still uses his Rics much.
Cheers, Noel

scoobster28 · Post by **scoobster28** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 8:31 am

There will not be a John Fogery RIC anytime soon because there is bad blood between them. I can't recall all of the details, but problems with the guitar resulted in a need for service, which RIC denied Fogerty (John Hall, nothing against you!) Because of that, Fogerty removed the RIC trussrod from his 325 and added an ACME one instead. Look at the pictures! Because of this, I doubt RIC would release a guitar that DOESN'T feature their name on it but instead ACME.
John kept two toasters stock but added a Humbucker in the bridge? position. His guitar also featured an F-hole. Regardless of whether his name is on it or not, a 325 in Fireglo with an F-hole, vintage tremelo, and humbucker installed would be the coolest guitar around! I certainly hope that they make one.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 9:16 am

It was my understanding that Fogerty painted "ACME" on the nameplate of his 325 'cause he felt it was a suitable name for the guitar due to its heavily modified state...Recently he was seen using a Rose-Morris 1997 or 1998 re-issue in concert, so he apparently is still a Rickenbacker advocate....

corey · Post by **corey** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 1:26 pm

"Advocate" is a good word here. Everytime you see Susanna Hoffs or an old Bangles video - there's the Ric (same with Buck and McGuinn). Nothing bothers me more than to see an artist with a signature series guitar that I swear I've never even seen them play.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Mon Oct 21, 2002 1:50 pm

I think there should be a Randy Meisner (late of the orignial Eagles) bass ... so that Tim Schmitt can play it (the career replacement for Randy -he replaced him in Poco) , and what a great replacement he has been ...Rock on Tim !!!

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Oct 22, 2002 6:54 am

Shiraz: Would Thom Yorke of Radiohead qualify as a contemporary artist? Perhaps Ed O'Brien?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Oct 22, 2002 7:41 am

There may be a time soon that they could take a number of the C-Series 12's (360/12C63) and designate them officially as the George Harrison Signature Series, if George's estate gave it their blessing. IMO it would be neat to see; Even with all the Beatle instrument hoopla, there has never been a George model other than 'unofficial' re-creations...then again it may not even be needed...but--the 325JL does command a much higher seccond-hand price than a 325V63 at present.

corey · Post by **corey** » Tue Oct 22, 2002 8:06 am

Ed and Thom from Radiohead do use their Rics a lot. "Letdown" from OK Computer is a good example. I think two of the guys from Coldplay also use Rics. I saw the lead singer playing a 360 JG on Much Music not too long ago.

shiraz · Post by **shiraz** » Tue Oct 22, 2002 7:56 pm

Radiohead might be worth considering. OK boys, put away the theremin and dig out the Rics!
Actually, in one of their videos, both Thom and the androgynous one are playing Rics. Very hip.
Coldplay are a tremendous group. Maybe one day a signature...
Jeff Buckley played a 330 and a 360/12 (WITH A SLIDE). He was immensely talented too.
Hmmmmm
Cheers, Noel

thunder_monkey · Post by **thunder_monkey** » Wed Oct 23, 2002 2:48 am

How about taking care of unfinished business first? The Jackson Browne signature prototype is one nice looking RIC.

Beyond that I agree with John Fogerty and Peter Buck.

Perhaps Darius Rucker (Hootie)?

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 23, 2002 3:51 am

Thunder Monkey: Hootie would be another worthy of consideration. Without question Fogerty and Buck should be at the top of the list. I think we can be reasonably confident that both of these artists have been approached.

I agree that the Jackson Browne prototype is most striking. I suspect that the fact it has not materialized suggests that the idea is toast. Perhaps we might hear from RIC on this at some point.

corey · Post by **corey** » Wed Oct 23, 2002 11:44 am

Jackson Browne strikes me as the type of artist who maybe had second thoughts about having his name plastered on a guitar and sold as something collectable. (This seems to be the same sort of art vs. commerce mindset that I think is holding back the 360 PB).