Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jingle_jangle wrote:

ricnbacker wrote:
Of course its a win win but there have been many things that could have made good business sense with Rickenbackers...

Example, please?

Still waiting...what was it? Rickenburgers? Rickenbacker guitar string cheese slicers (available in 6 or 12-slice versions)...?

On the one hand, there may be a thousand marketing tie-ins. On the other hand, the really appropriate ones present a tiny list, indeed...

But I'd like to know about any of these "many things that make good business sense".

blueflamerick wrote:The cat's eye sound hole isn't a Rickenbacker registered trademark.

johnhall wrote:The cat's eye sound hole and the shark fin inlay are characteristics of the Mittenwald School, of which Roger was a graduate, and you can see these designs on guitars made in the 1890's. (The shark fin then was really a rectangle, diagonally bisected into black and white sections, giving the fin shape.)

That's very interesting - I'm convinced I have read that Charvel had to license it for the Surfcaster. I'll have a dig & see if I can find it...

J.

jingle_jangle wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:

ricnbacker wrote:
Of course its a win win but there have been many things that could have made good business sense with Rickenbackers...

Example, please?

Still waiting...what was it? Rickenburgers? Rickenbacker guitar string cheese slicers (available in 6 or 12-slice versions)...?

On the one hand, there may be a thousand marketing tie-ins. On the other hand, the really appropriate ones present a tiny list, indeed...

But I'd like to know about any of these "many things that make good business sense".

Sorry to keep you waiting but I have nothing to offer.

jingle_jangle wrote:

customxke wrote:

antipodean wrote:Interestingly, my Chandler 555, which predates the controller by many years, has "Authorised by Rickenbacker International Corporation" stamped on the back of the slotted headstock. This generic promo pic tells the story:

I think these, with their pickguard shapes, look much like Paul Barth designed Magnatones, which predate Capris.

Agree 100%. They almost look like they were made from the same patterns! (Which, of course, is not possible...)

Isn't the headstock a la classical guitar that is under RIC license? I think I read that somewhere on the RIC website. Maybe that's what is authorised by RIC.

Cheers!

jingle_jangle wrote:

jingle_jangle wrote:

ricnbacker wrote:
Of course its a win win but there have been many things that could have made good business sense with Rickenbackers...

Example, please?

Still waiting...what was it? Rickenburgers? Rickenbacker guitar string cheese slicers (available in 6 or 12-slice versions)...?

On the one hand, there may be a thousand marketing tie-ins. On the other hand, the really appropriate ones present a tiny list, indeed...

But I'd like to know about any of these "many things that make good business sense".

RIC thong panties. They had them at one time.

alanz wrote:RIC thong panties. They had them at one time.

You ought to see me in them, Josh!!

I believe Graham is the proud owner of that pair actually.

Uhh, I'm not sure about FredeRICK's of Santa Ana, but I've got a couple of suggestions for additional products, not all music related. Actually, I'm kinda surprised that RIC didn't build/sell the JangleBox, or work with any of their signature artists on a 'learn to play like' series of books, videos, etc. (which would co-promote the brand and the artists).

In my opinion, RIC does wood and finish very, very well. How about other products that would showcase their talents in this area; electric solid (or semi-hollow) violins, stand-up stick basses, (now you're gonna start to laugh) high-end pool cues, pool table cabinetry, piano cabinetry, high-end music boxes.

It would make my life a bit easier if I could say to my wife, "Yeah, I just got a new guitar, but check out this music box I got for you!!! It's FireGlo, just like my guitar! And it plays 'Listen to her Heart', too!" I don't think the thong would quite get the same result.....

Just the ramblings of a wannbe idea man .....

johnallg wrote:

alanz wrote:RIC thong panties. They had them at one time.

RickyThong2 (450 x 600).jpg

Exactly. I prefer SnotGlo(tm), though.

beatbyrd wrote:Uhh, I'm not sure about FredeRICK's of Santa Ana, but I've got a couple of suggestions for additional products, not all music related. Actually, I'm kinda surprised that RIC didn't build/sell the JangleBox, or work with any of their signature artists on a 'learn to play like' series of books, videos, etc. (which would co-promote the brand and the artists).

In my opinion, RIC does wood and finish very, very well. How about other products that would showcase their talents in this area; electric solid (or semi-hollow) violins, stand-up stick basses, (now you're gonna start to laugh) high-end pool cues, pool table cabinetry, piano cabinetry, high-end music boxes.

It would make my life a bit easier if I could say to my wife, "Yeah, I just got a new guitar, but check out this music box I got for you!!! It's FireGlo, just like my guitar! And it plays 'Listen to her Heart', too!" I don't think the thong would quite get the same result.....

Just the ramblings of a wannbe idea man .....

Rick does everything involved in guitar manufacturing, very well...

As for that other stuff, well...

jingle_jangle wrote:Rick does everything involved in guitar manufacturing, very well...

As for that other stuff, well...

Rickenbacker electric pianos... not that different... wood & electronics...

You're not serious...

For the record, RIC is running at close to max efficiency just working to fill orders and reduce backlog. Over the last couple of years, they've cut back on specials and options and put entire models on hold in aid of this goal. And they should expand a product line into anything not in their line of work? Not likely.

jingle_jangle wrote:You're not serious...

Indeed

I think it's a sound idea to concentrate on a few models which do well, and work on eliminating the backlog. I doubt anyone here would want see Ric go bust or become just another Fender or Korg brand