Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

They look cool...

The first time I saw a Rickenbacker (or at least noticed it was a Rickenbacker) was in a photo of R.E.M around 1983. For some reason that photo is just etched in my mind. I think it was in Musician magazine or Rolling Stone, or maybe it was in an LP insert. They were outside near a barn or something and the black Rick bass and 12-string were unique looking guitars compared to the typical Strats, Les Pauls, Teles, Jazz basses I'd seen other bands using. I really loved the band, and their sound was so unique that for several years that's practically all I listened to. I saw them in concert in Toronto in 1984, and got to see the guitars up close, front row. This was the exact show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWWEqaSc0Pk[/youtube]. The cameras actually panned to the audience around 1:24 and there I am.

Around the same time I was listening to the Smiths, and didn't realize Johnny Marr also played Ricks. Two years later it was The Church that caught my attention. I saw them in concert and noticed Marty Wilson Piper also played Rickenbackers as well, so I was hooked. When I started a band a couple years later, I bought a used 1983 Rick 360/12-string, a 1987 reissue 1997 direct from the factory for $900, and a used Rick bass for $300. I've been collecting them ever since.

sys700 wrote:This was the exact show:
.
The cameras actually panned to the audience around 1:24 and there I am.

Let's see if we can spot you!

1. Squire
2. Geddy
3. Mike Mills, early on
4. a combination of patience, time and fate

Mine's a practical one: I tried to replicate the early Deep Purple/ Roger tone on my Fenders. Used all kind of amp combination and effects and just couldn't get there.

Found *this* forum after doing a search on Rogers equipment on google last week. Bought a 4003 this week and am amazed by this instrument already.

Mike

This is why the first Rick guitar I bought was AZureglo Blue... still have it.

playing a show with the Lets Active drummer tonight haha! (she plays for her brother, Dexter Romwebber, we're opening)

Moped10 wrote:playing a show with the Lets Active drummer tonight haha! (she plays for her brother, Dexter Romwebber, we're opening)

Yeah Sara! Is it a Flat Duo Jets show?

When I saw Let's Active open for Echo and the Bunnymen, she had that same hairstyle and smile on her face playing away at the drums.

She was great! Unfortunately, Dex was having an off night though and had a meltdown

I have always loved the style and sound of Rickenbackers, however where I live you never see them. I have only played two or three 4003 basses, a 620 and a vintage 360. This was spread out over 20 years of playing. My uncle has a 4003 mapleglo and my buddy in Montreal has a 620. Locally, I don't know anyone with a Rickenbacker.
I am waiting on my first Ric at the moment. If it is as good as I'm feeling it will be, it will be the first of many.
My ideal Ric would be a 360 old style in Jetglo or Azureglo.
I will probably try and get a 12 string as well. I have only owned one 12 in my life and it was a seagull 12 string acoustic. Neck was too huge to play, so I got rid of it.
I'm not sure I'd even use a 12 string enough to justify the cost, but I suppose I can always convert it to 6.

edit: Musical inspirations for getting a Ric would be Peter Buck of REM, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead, Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Brix from The Fall.
further edit: Of course the Beatles and Pete Townshend were influences, although I wouldn't try to cop either of their tones.

Long story short . . .

For YEARS I couldn't find an electric guitar that suited my rhythm playing. A couple of friends who knew my style were adamant that a Rickenbacker would be perfect for me, but I balked because not only were Ric's impossible to find in my area, but they were also way out of my price range.

Then one day it happened . . . I played my first Ric . . . a 330 . . . i actually started to sweat . . . I felt as if the guitar was made specifically for me . . . it was perfect.

The guitar cost 5-times more than any other guitar I had ever owned - but I HAD to have it. My wife gave me the OK, and I have been hooked, ever since.

MikeZito wrote:...I HAD to have it. My wife gave me the OK, and I have been hooked, ever since.

Look at what she started............

This picture (bottom left) in the liner for Beatles for Sale. Of course, mine was the CD version.