Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

CJJ is most correct that we have no latitude as far as having discretion of what we police. Really, honestly, truly, we'd rather not have to be doing this.

To dispel some of the other odd notions floating around, I don't spend ANY of my time looking for violations. This is all in response to complaints, usually from customers, and even then, I'm personally involved in probably 1% of these situations. We have people to deal with this on a regular basis and only in the case of repeat violators or other special cases or questions does it ever get forwarded to me.

The cost factor does not indeed compute, however, what would losing the trademark cost? How much does the dilution of the trademark . . . where someone judges the real product by the copy . . . end up costing?

Fortunately it's a problem that's getting better rather than worse; most North American and European wholesale suppliers are now cut off. The items are coming out of stock at the stores and being returned in many cases. Soon, we'll have direct access to the Chinese factories where these goods originate although that's been a long and tough battle.

I think I speak for many here when I say that in my experience of dealing with Rickenbacker,John Hall has
always replied to my letters and forum posts to him,the technical department is always on hand to answer queries and via this forum,
Rickenbacker are an example of what a modern hands on guitar company should be like.
Rickenbacker basses are unique and long may they reign regardless of those who cannot either play them or bear to look at them.
Other manufacturers are unapproachable (anyone know the CEOs of other big guitar companies?), difficult to contact,never reply to valid requests and queries and so on.
Out of the two examples of types of guitar company above,I know which one I am sticking by regardless of the threatened ban.

The the claim by basschat that their forum is a different animal than ebay etc.. doesnt hold water.
After the recent libel case overhere involving a tweet that led to unfounded accusations against an MP,
The judge in that case said that all online material was subject to the law of the land just the same as print, radio and tv etc....and this is a UK ruling.
Thats surely got to include the infringement of copyright so John Hall is right to contact them as much as he would be right to
approach any other online site.

I had a bass player at my home to pick up a cheap squire bass I was selling, he spotted my Rick cases.
Oh how can you play one of those.
They are terrible to play.
Which did you own asked, A rocking better he replied, worst bases ever, would not waste my money on a real one.
OK, so I took out a 1992 red 4003 and handed him it, just show me what you did not like as you play this.
God this is thin and light he said, he began to play, jesus he says how low is this action and it sings like a grand piano.
He began to inspect the 10" shine on the finish, had another play.
He went quiet, then said, well I have learnt something, what I was sold as a copy was nothing like this, this is beautiful, in fact I want this bass.
He now has two of his own.
All I wanted was for him to tell me what he did not like.
True story.

wim wrote: As I said, they're all over the guitarshops as well.

I guess that is something that is hard to understand for an american Rickenbacker enthusiast. They enter in a music shop and if they see a Rickenbacker shaped guitar/bass, well... it will be a Rickenbacker.

If I see a Rick shaped guitar/bass in australian music shop, it is a Tokai. The only time you will see a real Rick is if it's a used one.

Colonel Sanders wrote:If I see a Rick shaped guitar/bass in australian music shop, it is a Tokai. The only time you will see a real Rick is if it's a used one.

Wait a couple of months and then tell me what you see (and don't see).

johnhall wrote:

Colonel Sanders wrote:If I see a Rick shaped guitar/bass in australian music shop, it is a Tokai. The only time you will see a real Rick is if it's a used one.

Wait a couple of months and then tell me what you see (and don't see).

Yes, I read that you finally had an Aussie distributor! Good news for us and I will be glad to see those Rottingbetter go.

Timing is bad for the new distributor with the australian dollar free falling though! But I wish him the best of luck and will be happy to contribute in his success...

Colonel Sanders wrote:Yes, I read that you finally had an Aussie distributor! Good news for us and I will be glad to see those Rottingbetter go.

Just to tease you a bit further, I'll tell you that it's a company that has never handled our product previously, yet has had years of experience with it.

johnhall wrote:

Colonel Sanders wrote:Yes, I read that you finally had an Aussie distributor! Good news for us and I will be glad to see those Rottingbetter go.

Just to tease you a bit further, I'll tell you that it's a company that has never handled our product previously, yet has had years of experience with it.

It's Tokai isn't it?

Sorry John, couldn't resist!

jai_the_bass wrote:

johnhall wrote:

Colonel Sanders wrote:Yes, I read that you finally had an Aussie distributor! Good news for us and I will be glad to see those Rottingbetter go.

Just to tease you a bit further, I'll tell you that it's a company that has never handled our product previously, yet has had years of experience with it.

It's Tokai isn't it?

Sorry John, couldn't resist!

Now that's funny.

vax2002 wrote:I had a bass player at my home to pick up a cheap squire bass I was selling, he spotted my Rick cases.
Oh how can you play one of those.
They are terrible to play.
Which did you own asked, A rocking better he replied, worst bases ever, would not waste my money on a real one.
OK, so I took out a 1992 red 4003 and handed him it, just show me what you did not like as you play this.
God this is thin and light he said, he began to play, jesus he says how low is this action and it sings like a grand piano.
He began to inspect the 10" shine on the finish, had another play.
He went quiet, then said, well I have learnt something, what I was sold as a copy was nothing like this, this is beautiful, in fact I want this bass.
He now has two of his own.
All I wanted was for him to tell me what he did not like.
True story.

Great post, Mark!

Just to tease you a bit further, I'll tell you that it's a company that has never handled our product previously, yet has had years of experience with it.

Interesting......