If This Isn't A Ric, Then What Is It??

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:27 am

Agreed, Paul. Maybe, Jeff, one of the owners of Top Shelf, who has posted on this thread and is selling the bass will reply.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:48 am

Good retort Paul B. If I need help deciding what to bid on or what not to bid on I'll let you know.

I wasn't questioning anyone's integrity, or whether or not selling is the right thing. If taxes are owed on the estate than this is absolutely the right thing to do. My comment was that I don't really think people sell these things to be generous with fans or people who play. I think they do it because they need the money, or want the money. Why not just say that? Did the Kennedy's auction off Jackie's personal belongings because they wanted to share a bit of her with the world? Please! They had to pay an incredible amount in estate taxes. My final comment was made because proper estate planning eliminates the problem. Even scruff's like me need to plan properly. It makes dealing with final expenses less painful for loved ones left behind.

I have no problem with Jeff...whoever he is. I'm sure he is doing a good service.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:11 am

When I die I have no heirs who are bass players so I would assume my heirs would sell all of my instruments ... and none of my instruments will generate any trademark concerns ...

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:01 am

Jeff, feel free to adopt me, I'd be happy to accept your collection.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:02 am

Put me down for the Fender/Fire/Rickenbird or whatever it is! Since you don't have your '68 anymore.

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:14 am

Good post, Brian!

I get these comments all the time in my own sports business regarding memorabilia. It is more widespread than we think. I have no idea, whatsoever, why people feel compelled to make this comment. Perhaps there is an embarrassing feeling to sell items and to make money, I don’t know. And why do people feel compelled to decide where items/memorabilia should be sold to? You can do whatever you want with whatever you buy! Whether you decide to resell for a profit, or donate it to a museum or play the hell out of it – that is your choice, not someone who is selling it.

My family and I just handled my mom’s estate and it was not as difficult a task as you may think. Now we have little to worry about the taxman when that time eventually comes. But at least it is in order.

topshelfguitars · Post by **topshelfguitars** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:45 am

Let me clarify this Brian;
The Epstein estate is not selling this collection to pay off tax debts or any other financial woes. Why would anybody assume that? I sell a few personal instruments every year, and its nobody's business why I'm selling them. It's a real waste of my time to respond to such negative assumptions.
Let's keep this a valid forum and not a rumor mill.

Jeff/Top Shelf

topshelfguitars · Post by **topshelfguitars** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:52 am

Final clarification;

When Top Shelf received this bass, the estate's paperwork had it listed as a "prototype" an considering Tom Petty's long relationship with Ric, it would be safe to assume that Rickenbacker made it. It even came in a silver Ric case.
Who knew! We only found out after the ad had been printed for Vintage Guitar, that it was not really a Ric, but a well made Ric copy that "never was."
We immediately made a retraction on the Epstein auction website stating all of this new information. I hope that people aren't pestering Rick Turner about this, because he's been a great wealth of information. Thanks again Rick.
The piqued interest in this instrument and it's original owner are quite phenomenal. I'm sure we'd never be having this discussion if Howie were still alive. Top Shelf will be happy to honestly answer any questions involving Howie's instruments.
Thank You.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:58 pm

Your words Jeffrey,

"They kept a few for themselves, but would like to see his instruments being played again".

Are you checking for union cards to be sure they are going to be played?

I apologize if I was coming across as negative. I was speaking in general terms about auctions. Ebay in particular. Maybe I shouldn't assume, but I do. We all do. You assumed the bass was a real Rickenbacker. Please don't lecture me on keeping things valid. I keep things just as valid as anyone else of this forum. I wasn't starting a rumor. I apologize if I cast aspersions.

Keep in mind the two things you have chastised me for, keeping it valid and not starting rumor, is ironic considering you listed an invalid Rickenbacker and thus a rumor was started. Intentional or not. Corrected or not.

Nevertheless, this was an impolite way to welcome to the forum and I apologize. I hope to see you here often and I also hope our next exchange is more pleasant.

Paul, sorry if I honked you off.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:05 pm

Interesting looking bass, I think the cat's eye sound hole is wrong somehow.

If it didn't have the cats eye and instead of the triangles had dots then it would be more rick looking to my eyes.

It does have rickenbacker design elements but ones that are thrown together in a way that I am not liking myself.

winston · Post by **winston** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:17 pm

I would buy a RIC made version of that bass in a heartbeat. I find it very appealing to my eye.

johnashfield · Post by **johnashfield** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:29 pm

Well I think RIC could make something like this, but much much better.

The whole thing just looks off to my eye.

Now obviously it's illegal, or dubious, to sell a fraud bass, but what if this was just given away? Would that be ok?

Just wondering.