Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Looks like we're not going to see this one. Glad I didn't order one.

Sounds like he knew how to stroke a few ego's in the proper places. I'm sure that a lot more is gonna unfold in this scandal for some time to come.
I'm still in the market for a Ric 350/12 in Jetglo. But I'm gonna check every ebay add out that I see for one here first on the Ric for sale section before buying one.
One of the many things that fellas are good here on is spotting possible imposters. I'm not a rich man and I don't wanna get ripped off.

There's a new Jetglo 350v63/12 in a store here in Australia, Dan...... if you wanna pay $USD3750!!

Plus shipping, of course!

I recommend checking the "For Sale" area for a few threads on the Nick T. news. Also, John Hall has posted this recently on the Rickenbacker corporate website (it's not just the book):

http://www.rickenbacker.com/news_item.asp?news_id=53&news=recent

Well, David, that is the post that opened the floodgates, on last Friday. It's been linked on every major Beatles-oriented site on the web, it seems.

To add to what others have said: for years, people have been complaining about him. In most instances, people came to us with rumors and stories but no proof. In my world, we don't work on rumors. Almost every time I asked someone "If you've been ripped off, have you notified the police?" No one did. This makes me suspect their story is not totally true, as they refused to back it up with evidence for the authorities.

In several other cases, I looked into people's complaints and they were simply gripes about delivery time of rare/hard-to-get instruments. Instruments that were finally delivered.

Until recently, no one had "gone legal" with a serious complaint. When this finally occurred, this spurred Jim and I to say "We've finally got some proof" and make our distance from him.

However, I still feel that such a gear book needs to be written someday, as there are so many problems with the existing Beatles Gear book. It may/may not happen now. Nick was/is an expert in the field, as knowledgeable as anyone in the field.

Brian: Y'know, after seeing your book in Santa Ana last year I had felt pretty good that Nick would turn out a decent book, because the RTB book is such a marvelous effort.

It's just a shame he turned to the dark side in a BIG way, so many people trusted him....

This guy sounds like a real backstabber. Someone to be avoided like the plague to keep from being being used.

Avoiding someone on the lam should be easy!

BrianK, if you can do something better 'bring it on'. I'm always happy to learn new info on Beatlesgear and it sounds like you've got a lot of problems solved. Can you give us a sneak preview?

In addition to ripping off so many kindly people, I can't believe he let this book sink! If I had a chance to write the definitive book on the Beatles equipment, I'd sit up and do my best! What a shame, all around.

To John H., Jim Elyea, Brian K., Larry Wassgren and all,

I have known and or met each one of you gentlemen and have known Nick Thiel for over 10 years. Nick did broker a few guitar deals for Gibson/ Epiphone guitars in the past with no worries. Yet in 2005 Nick was to sell me a McCartney Epiphone Texan (1 of 250)USA guitar.
I sent monies to my "friend" and thus 10 months later there was still no guitar. After repeated attempts to contact him with many emails as well, I did contact a "legal eagle" that did aid in getting my monies back.

Granted, Nick was in the middle of a divorce but to scam persons who have helped him in the past was unacceptable. I do know about divorces since I am a private investigator as well as a lawyer. I am shocked to hear that the information has seen the light of day.

I am well aware of at least 6 other individuals who were taken by Nick and several who have yet to be compensated for their losses to date.

If I can be of any assistance to others, please contact me if needed.

Regards,

Hey Ashley, nice to hear from you again. Are you going to SoCal in August?

Hey Darren, it's good to hear from you also. What is happening in August? Sorry but a 1 year old little girl and such keeps me a bit out of touch. Let me know what is happening and I may be able to get away for several days.

Regards,