Dealer in Motown selling Ric clones

[jingle_jangle]

Absolutely no argument from me, Paul. I'm perfectly clear on the legalities. I'm looking simply at the guitar, in its physical form, for what it is, disregarding any legal or proprietary issues.

Now, I know you have ties to Rickenbacker, but let's assume for a minute that you don't. If you were to build a convincing copy of say, a 330/12, I think anyone would be hard pressed to call the result a "POS" or "firewood", knowing what I know about your abilities. It certainly wouldn't be legal, but it wouldn't automatically make that physical piece of wood with wires on it a ****** instrument. I'm sure if it came from your hands, it would be a great player. That's the crux of my comments...I'm looking at the guitar in a vacuum, so to speak...devoid of any trade dress issues. Of course the fakers are wrong and shouldn't be made. And I'm not trying to defend it or encourage it. I thought I made that clear. Those Tokai 100% Strat copies are also "illegal"...i.e. they cannot be made anymore, but that doesn't make those that are still in existence POS guitars. That's what I was trying to say.

Understood, Daniel. A specious point, nonetheless, because they do not exist in a vacuum, and in fact are tainted by illegality.

The existence of any illegal copy dilutes the brand and compromises the reputation of the company.

Calling all copies "POS" is probably inaccurate. Some are of better quality than others, although none equal the original.

But we're not really here to discuss relative merits of illegal merchandise, are we?

That's my point.

[Ric O'Sound]

But we're not really here to discuss relative merits of illegal merchandise, are we?

That's my point.

Hey, I guess I didn't need that asbestos suit after all. It's actually refreshing to be able to discuss somewhat touchy subjects in a friendly manner. On a lot of other forums, discussions like this turn ugly rather quickly.

True, one can question the usefulness of discussing the merits of illegal merchandise. But I guess what just yanked my chain was the overall tone of some of the comments. My interpretation was: "Asians can build decent quality guitars, except if said "decent quality guitar" happens to look like a certain brand, in which case it then automatically becomes a "**** quality guitar". I mean, I like to think we're all intelligent individuals here. And that just sounds plain stupid to me. I know people don't really believe that.

But your sentence:

Calling all copies "POS" is probably inaccurate. Some are of better quality than others, although none equal the original.

lets me know that you do understand what I was trying to say. Thanks.

So now we can move on to more important debates such as "Cat's Eye or Traditional Shape: Which one is the truly better F-Hole"

[indianation65]

Mr. O'Sound,
Well said on a number of replies. Outright copies that say Rickenbacker are one thing, but any guitar that smells of "Rick" look is denigrated, as well as the purchaser. I have three real Rickenbacker 330 axes, and two Italias. In posting and commenting a few forum brothers offered praise, but in other postings tarnished and heckled the axe and owner. What's the point? If a man wants to buy any guitar, prices often at times determines the result. Rickenbackers are not cheap, but are exceptional. I champion the instrument, but not the harsh sentiments toward anything that barely sniffs of duplicate. Mr. O'Sound, you appear as a man with bountiful common sense, as well as everyone in the forum. I just believe some men stand observing each other from different sides of the room, line jagged in the middle. Handshaked may still be offered and reached without "snideness" as his keeper...

Addendum: I don't have time to search for the word "snideness" to see if it's actually a word! I'm hopeful as I am regarding everything with this forum.
...wisdom

[1965]

On the POS front, let's just say that these looked worse than most. I don't have a massive problem with private parties selling their Grecos from years back, but a dealer in Detroit blowing out Rick copies for fairly substantial prices easily crosses the line.

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

I think what always bothers me about the fakes... Legal issues aside, is the number of them used I have seen sporting real Rickenbacker TRC's...

The potential for someone, who doesn't know any better to think that it is the real deal is the clincher for me... And yes although I find it annoying that you can't order a TRC or an R-tail piece from RIC anymore (without sending them back a broken one) -- that a direct result of the fakes floating around...

So in to the wood chippers with them say I!

B